Ecosystem of Higher Education in IndiaANUP K SINGH, PH D
UGC Annual Report 2014-15
Total Universities: 711 Central Universities: 46 State Universities: 329 State Private Universities: 205 Deemed to be Universities: 128 Colleges: 40,760 Top States for Universities: Rajasthan (68); Uttar Pradesh (64), and
Tamil Nadu (52)
Contd…
The student enrolment in terms of percentages at various levels had been observed as UG (88.26%), PG (11.09%), Research (0.67%), Diploma/Certificate (1.57%) and Integrated (0.41%).
About 88.37% of all the under-graduate students and 71.09% of all post-graduate students were in the affiliated colleges
Out of the total enrolment of students (265.85 lakhs), 37.41% students were in the faculty of Arts, followed by Science 17.59% and Commerce/Management 16.39% (Total 71%)
Contd…
Total Faculty Strength: 12.61 lakhs Ratio of Faculty in Colleges and Universities: 84.66% teachers were in
colleges, while the remaining 15.34% in universities
Ownership
Government
State
UGC regulated
University College
Central - HRD
Ministry
Self-regulated
institutions
IITs, IIMs, etc.
UGC regulated
UniversityDeemed to
be University
Central - Other
Ministries
Self-regulated
institutions
Non-Government
Self-financed
University
State private
Deemed to be
University
College
Grant-in-aid
Typology of HE Institutions
Among the largest educational system in the world
Among the fastest growing system in the world
Highly complex and diverse educational system
Increasing share of self-financing sector in higher education
Tight control of government and various regulatory agencies
Emerging accreditation system
Salient Features of Indian Higher Education
Strengths of Indian Higher Education System
It produces a large number of graduates; many of them are of high quality
It is cost effective
It is on the path of reforms
Contd…
Educational sector is not for profit, at least de jure
Private sector is transforming elite education into mass education
It is characterized by inclusion and equity
Weaknesses of Higher Education in India
School system is unable to supply high quality students
Research culture is still in a nascent stage
Private sector does not have wherewithal to support research and scholarship
Contd…
Institutional autonomy is weak
Internationalization is at low ebb Governance of HE institutions is weak; Overlap of Governance and management
Interface of institutions with the industry is superficial
Mechanisms of Government Control
Education is in the concurrent list
Control by central government
Education policies Regulatory agencies Academic and research funding
Control by State Governments
Permission to commence institutions and programmes General supervision from time to time Private university act Control of colleges through state universities Fee regulatory committee Admission committee for professional courses Admission committee for medical and paramedical courses Conduct of entrance examinations Power of legislation
General Regulatory Agencies in India
Main Regulators University Grants Commission All India Council for Technical
Education
Discipline Regulators Bar Council of India Pharmacy Council of India Council of Architecture Medical Council of India (and related
bodies) And many more
Central Government Owned self-regulatory institutions
Indian Institutes of TechnologyIndian Institutes of Information Technology
National Institute of Technology
Indian Institutes of Management
Indian Institute of ScienceIndian Institutes of Science Education and Research
Schools of Planning and ArchitectureOther Institutions
74 Institutesof National Importance
Strengths and Weaknesses of Self-regulated central government institutions
Strengths Resource rich A section of students is quite
talented Government support Freedom to develop their own
regulations
Weaknesses Lagging behind in research compared to
their global counterparts Good amount of faculty positions vacant Government control almost on
everything; weak governance Slow to adapt to emerging challenges Perfunctory leadership
Strengths and Weaknesses of State Higher Education Institutions
Strengths Almost free education Inclusive Regionally balanced Involvement of various stakeholders Able to attract meritorious students
Weaknesses Highly political systems Resource starved Poor work culture Slow on reforms Complacent and non-competitive
Strengths and Weaknesses of State Private Higher Education Institutions
Strengths Focus on professional education Continuous improvement Competitive Flexible and adaptable
Weaknesses Lack of competent faculty Below par infrastructure Family managed Average quality of education De facto profit oriented Short-termism
Futures Trends in Higher Education System
Proportion of private sector will increase
Indian HE system would find it quite difficult to compete with the western HE system
Size and diversity of Indian HE system would continue to increase
Conclusions
Biggest but also one of the most fragile HE system• GER is still below compared to BRICS countries• Quality remains a serious concernLack of resources• Governments do not have funds• Most institutions in the private sector are interested in
profiteeringAccess and inclusion at the cost of excellence• Excellence is concern of none• Populism and short-termism are hurting excellence
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