New Delhi, July 23 -- Amid continuing student protests in Delhi over recent controversies surrounding national-level entrance examinations, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has urged vice-chancellors and directors of member institutions to counsel students to remain focused on academics and not allow their "energies to be diverted by calls to protest", saying the government is committed to strengthening the examination system.

In a letter dated July 21 to vice-chancellors and directors of member universities, AIU president Prof Vinay Kumar Pathak said that while students' concerns should be heard "with empathy and respect", prolonged agitations ultimately hurt students the most by disrupting their education.

"As you are awar...