Educational institutions in the country need to introspect and strategise for mid-course corrections, UGC chairman Ved Prakash said here today.

"It is time to analyse where we want to see ourselves 10- 15 years from now and strategise for mid-course corrections, if needed. It is time for introspection by institutions to know where they stand vis-a-vis other higher educational institutions in India and globally," Prakash said during the 96th foundation day celebrations at Jamia Millia Islamia.

"We were increasingly becoming a reactionary society with little patience to listen to contrary views and it is important to treat every individual with dignity," he added.

Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi said Islam which was a pioneer in education and granted equal rights to women 1400 years ago had now strayed away from both.

"Islam was a religion that made it mandatory for both boys and girls to attain an education but now girls were unable to pursue it," he said.

Referring to the ongoing debate on Muslim Personal Law, Quraishi said, "Personal law reform should come from within the community and not be imposed. At the same time the community must introspect and be open to change with time."

Jamia is organising a three-day ''Talimi Mela'' to mark the 96th foundation day celebrations which began here today.