G. Viswanathan is seen with students at the distribution of scholarships 2024-25 phase II event at the campus in Vellore on Thursday.

The Union and State governments should spend more on education especially in higher studies rather than giving freebies, which will not improve living standards of life for poor families, said G. Viswanathan, founder chancellor, VIT. 

In his presidential address at Phase-II Scholarships 2024-25, which was organised by the Universal Higher Education Trust (UHET) of VIT at its campus here, Mr. Viswanathan said government can give freebies for beneficiaries, who are mostly families living below poverty line (BPL), but it cannot help to uplift these families from poverty. “Around one lakh medical seats are available in the country for which over 25 lakh aspirants appear for NEET every year. It reflects the need to increase the total number of medical seats. In other words, the government should spend more on higher education,” he said.

The Chancellor said that North Arcot district, which comprised present-day Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur and Tiruvannamalai districts, was economically and educationally backward many years ago. Public initiatives like scholarships and State government efforts have helped to reduce the economic backwardness and increase the enrolment in schools and colleges. Currently, the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of Tamil Nadu is over 50 per cent as against the national average of 27 per cent.

Under UHET, Mr. Viswanathan said that scholarships were given to 9,878 students to a tune of Rs 11.86 crore since the initiative was started over a decade ago. During 2024-25, scholarships were given to 1,182 students. On the occasion, B.K. Krishnaraj Vanavarayar, educationist (Coimbatore), was present.