Institutions of Eminence
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Insights Mind maps General Studies-2; Topic: Development of social sector services related to education Institutions of Eminence 1) Introduction Six higher education institutions, including IISc, Bengaluru, IIT at Mumbai and Delhi, and the proposed Jio Institute have been named Institutions of Eminence (IoE) by the Centre. The Jio Institute in Maharashtra has been chosen in the greenfield category among three private institutions; the Manipal Academy of Higher Education and BITS, Pilani, being the other two. An empowered committee, under former Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami, recommended these institutions. 2) Highlights The Centre plans to offer 10 government and 10 private institutions the status of Institution of Eminence to enable them to break into the world’s top 500 in a decade and into the top 100 after that. These institutions will be permitted to admit 30% foreign students with no restrictions on fees charged from them. Hire foreign faculty to the tune of 25% of the total faculty. Enter into academic collaborations with the top 500 global universities without UGC approval. They will also have full flexibility in evolving curricula and syllabi. The public institutions will get assistance of up to ₹1000 crore over five years. 3) Background In India even after liberalisation in 1990s, there was no liberation of higher education from government control. People complained about the lack of autonomy and bureaucratic interference. There were some 17 bodies controlling each and every realm of higher education. The country was incapable of producing many things it desired. We could not produce the necessary defence equipments. Half of India’s students were pursuing courses in the liberal arts and sciences. But they lacked the ability to scientifically analyse Indian society. We depended heavily on research done by scholars based in western universities. Many Indian universities and colleges produced a few high achieving individuals. Under these circumstances, many think that selecting Institution of Eminence is the bold step taken by the government to grant swaraj to universities. 4) Advantages Institution of Eminence tag frees universities from government interference. This will enable them to be free from regulations of the AICTE, UGC, or the Higher Education Commission of India that is set to replace the UGC. The institutes of eminence will have added funds for the state-run institutions, and more collaboration opportunities with top global universities. It can transform the higher education sector and strengthen the foundations of a knowledge economy. The universities can fully focus on their students, faculty, research and social outreach. www.insightsonindia.com Page 1 www.insightsias.com Insights Mind maps For knowledge to translate into a wealthy society, we need to create a conducive knowledge ecosystem. Institutions of higher education help in creating such an ecosystem. 5) Criticism The deserving public ones that missed out are IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, Delhi University, Jadhavpur University and Anna University. IIT Madras is ranked second under National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). Lack of representation of institutions in social sciences and humanities. Jio Institute at the moment, is just a proposal on paper, was selected under the greenfield category. There are many deserving private universities and private green field university applicants that did not make into the list. The private institutes selected are not eligible for government funding. The top 10 universities in the world spend annually an average of Rs 5,800 crore each on research alone. The selected institutes are free to decide on fees that might not be affordable to meritorious students from lower strata. 6) Dismal State of Higher Education Universities are still characterized by impractical learning, out-of-touch faculty, exorbitant fees (in private universities) and diminishing employment. Rote learning and standardised examinations. Most Indian graduates are unemployable. NASSCOM estimates that only 20% of graduates of engineering colleges in India are employable in IT companies. Research in both the sciences and the humanities is generally below par. Even elite Indian universities do not make it to the very top of global listings. Extreme faculty shortage. 30 to 50% of faculty positions are vacant in many institutions. Deficiencies in the matters of library books, laboratory facilities, computer and broadband internet, classrooms and buildings, etc. Politicians have entered into the business of higher education in a big way, turning colleges into lucrative degree-giving factories. The rise of IT sector and engineering education in India has led students into linear path without giving them a chance to explore and discover their passions. 7) Way Forward Universities are always places of the future –the future is shaped in its crucibles, classrooms and conversations. For any development in higher education to bear fruit, it will have to be supported by the strengthening of primary education. China succeeded in this. Universities, teachers and students need to create more forums for interaction with the wider world. It is such interaction that would lead to generation of workable ideas and workable courses that can generate wealth. Internships for students, work on real world problems and building databases of knowledge that could be useful for artificial intelligence. Universities need to set up structures to encourage people willing and able to devote their time to real world problems and to improving productivity. www.insightsonindia.com Page 2 www.insightsias.com Insights Mind maps We need to invest far more in the capacity building of teachers than we do. Funding can be sourced from Special cess, CSR, alumina fund, easy loans from banks, progressive fee structure etc. Link major R&D centres of country with government colleges in all states, to encourage inclusion of students in research initiatives in the country Ensure ease in movement of personnel between universities and industry. The apprenticeship system in Germany has produced great results is the existence of a curriculum developed by educational institutions in collaboration with business groups and with employees. www.insightsonindia.com Page 3 www.insightsias.com .