: The State government will support colleges and universities to get into international collaborations with higher educational institutions of global repute, Minister for Higher Education P. Viswanathan assured functionaries of private managements recently. Addressing a special consultative meeting organised by the Association of Self-Financing Arts, Science and Management Colleges of Tamil Nadu (ASFASMTN), the Minister called for establishment of placement cells in every institution. Every institution must strive to deliver quality education at global standards, he said, emphasising that the managements must ensure employment opportunities for all graduating students.The government understands the significance of collaborating with private higher educational institutions to enhance quality of deliverance, step up student welfare, and broad-base skill development, alongside fostering employability, research, and innovation, Mr. Viswanathan told the gathering of office-bearers, secretaries, chairpersons, and academic administrators from self-financing arts, science, and management colleges across Tamil Nadu. The Minister also promised transparent governance in the higher education sector.Functionaries of ASFASMTN submitted a memorandum detailing the challenges, demands, and development needs of the higher education sector to the Minister.Ajith Kumar Lal Mohan, president of ASFASMTN, elaborated on the significant role played by self-financing colleges in the growth of higher education in the State. Nandhini Rangasamy, chairperson of GRG Educational Institutions, spoke on quality education, industry collaboration, and global competencies for students.ASFASMTN Vice Presidents S. D. Chandrasekar and V. Rajkumar, and Treasurer R. Nithyanandam, and other representatives from member institutions shared their thoughts on various aspects of higher education, including Quality enhancement, Skill-based curriculum, Research promotion, Digital transformation, Industry–institution collaboration, Employability development, and Student welfare.The association, Mr. Ajith Kumar said, would extend its fullest support to the government for scaling up quality of higher education in the State. Published - June 29, 2026 07:02 pm IST