Hyderabad: Universities are not only the citadel of learning and enrichment but they are also places of free discussions and debates. They represent a particular way of thinking which needed to be preserved. Institutions need autonomy, leadership and funds to grow at international level. Eminent Scientist and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee, Dr. Shahid Jameel, CEO, Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance, New Delhi expressed these views today at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU). He was delivering a lecture “What is a University?” to mark the 22 Foundation Day celebrations of MANUU at Saiyid Hamid Library Auditorium. Dr. Mohammad Aslam Parvaiz, Vice-Chancellor presided over. Taking a critical view of the contemporary education system which neither supports innovation nor encourage civic sense, he stressed the need to equip the students with problem-solving aptitude. Dr. Jameel, quoted extensively from eminent personalities like Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad to draw home his point. Comparing the western education system with Indian education he expressed dismay over the procedure adopted here for appointments and assessments. Hierarchical governance is not good for the Universities, he suggested.We need to trust each other, however, we discuss personalities instead of ideas. He pointed out that Education is both private and public good. It prepares pragmatic citizens. Speaking about the funding, he said that Universities facing shortage of funds should look for external resources like CSR support. Dr. Mohammad Aslam Parvaiz in his presidential remarks praised the lecture as thought-provoking. Foundation Day is, in fact, a day of self-assessment, he felt. He also emphasized the importance of training over education and pointed out at the Japanese model of education system which is quite effective. Earlier, Prof. Ayub Khan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor welcomed the gathering and introduced the guest speaker. Dr. Sameena Kausar, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Arabic conducted the proceedings. Prof. S. M. Rahmatullah, Registrar proposed the vote of thanks. Scores of students, research scholars, professors and staff members attended.