LUCKNOW, May 16 -- Governor Anandiben Patel on Friday explained the importance of Open University, stating it serves as a crucial medium for students, who had to discontinue their education midway for any reason, as well as for those who wish to pursue higher studies while continuing their jobs. While presiding over a review meeting and presentation of Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University at Jan Bhawan, Anandiben Patel, who is also the chancellor of state universities, stressed the need to increase student enrollment at the university and introduce more employment-oriented courses. She also directed officials to launch courses related to GST. She observed that there are several social issues on which the University could work with seriousness. She stressed the need for research and study on subjects such as the issues faced by female inmates in the jails located in Prayagraj, child-rearing practices (Garbh Sanskar), and juvenile delinquency. Addressing the meeting, she directed the university to actively implement MoUs signed with national and international institutions and ensure greater participation of its students in cultural programmes organised on campus. The governor said the large-scale management of millions of devotees during the Mahakumbh is an important subject for academic research. She said research and writing projects could be carried out on these subjects. The meeting was attended by Sudhir Mahadev Bobde, Officer on Special Duty (ranked as Additional Chief Secretary); Badrinath Singh, Special Secretary, Higher Education; BL Sharma, Director of Higher Education; Pankaj L Jani, Officer on Special Duty, Education; Professor Satyakam, vice-chancellor of Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Prayagraj; along with other university officials and faculty members....