Bulletin No.123 Date: 1st January - 15th January Announcements CONTENT ASERF has instituted Dr Stya Paul Young Educationist Award’ for honouring Young Educationists who have demonstrated Aspect their potential by making an impact on Indian education. Essay on Wood’s Despatch and Grwoth of Education in India Applications from the eligible scholars are invited for the Award Roadmapping the future of the Indian pharmaceutical market of the year 2012. Click here to download the prescribed format News along with the terms and conditions. 1. Pushed out of Harvard, professor returns fire 2. Aakash Gets a New Competitor Apeejay Stya University announces admission for 3. Higher Education and Research Bill likely to come up in 2012 the session 2012 4. Education department plans NCERT syllabus from Class 1 5. PM’s address at the 99th Annual Session of the Indian Science Congress Apeejay Stya University is offering diverse catalogue of 6. Education in India - Government Seems to be Serious technical, scientific, management and liberal arts courses for 7. India Changes Role of Higher-Education Regulators to Ensure Openness the Fall Admission 2012-13. Applicants for admission accepted 8. Focus on sharing educational resources on the basis of comprehensive merit, judged by their academic 9. Financial stratification in education excellence, their extracurricular achievements, and their 10. India a global destination for higher education utilization of the resources they have had available. As part of 11. Full of hope, EWS parents send kids to private schools the application, the University recognize a number of 12. Internationalisation of higher education has expanded dramatically: Prof. Jane Knight 13. HRD, Law ministries conflicting for control of legal education examination scores to establish academic excellence, 14. Indian education institutes nowhere on top 100 including AIEEE, GMAT, SAT, SAT-II. For more, click here 15. Cost of foreign education rises as rupee falls 16. Overwhelming Response to First-Round Admissions for 2012-13 Young India Fellowships Apeejay Stya University announces Founder's 17. Public-pvt partnership to boost research in 12th five-year plan Scholarship 18. Indian Universities To Support Village Students 19. Technology and Education in India On the Death anniversary of our beloved founder Dr. Stya 20. Quality of higher education in India needs to improve Paul, Apeejay Stya University (ASU), Haryana announces a 21. Foreign Education, A Dream for Indian Students Merit - Based Scholarship Scheme for Undergraduate, Post 22. Higher Education in India Graduate and MBA Courses 23. Higher Education Abroad Continues to Rank in India Please visit our website for more: click here 24. Importance of Distance Education in Indian Higher Education System 25. Planning Commission panel proposes council to regulate media education Get Involved 26. Overseas Indians discuss higher education, FDI in retail 27. Foreign universities can play an important role in India's higher education Fellowship opportunities 28. Overseas Indians discuss higher education, FDI in retail Fellowships for six months to two years in variety of fields. 29. President outlines the priorities of the 12th Plan at PBD: Health, edu & skill development Workshops/Guest Lectures 30. Indian Education Formula Grants Program 31. India's demographic dividend: Time to act Regular workshops and lectures on a variety of subjects. 32. Kapil Sibal seeks NRI's help for innovative educational system Scholarships 33. Foreign students get a taste of Indian education at IGNOU Need-based financial aid to deserving student 34. UGC mulls major hike in MPhil, PhD fellowships Faculty Sponsorships Analysis/Opinion/Innovative Practice By seeding a named faculty seat or fellowship 1. Five Predictions for Higher Ed Technology in 2012 Internships/Mentoring 2. World-class in pockets 3. In India, a college building boom The University has many students looking for opportunities to 4. The Role of Technical and Vocational Education in Mitigating Against Human Trafficking put their skills to practical use. Internships can be in diverse 5. Changing role of pharmacists: Indian scenario areas from services, government and nonprofit. 6. NCHRH Bill aims to block medicos’ ‘fly early’ move Please visit our website for more: click here 7. Open Letter to India: Looking Back in Time 8. Are Indian Universities academic bodies or just administrative set ups? Also discover the Apeejay Edge: click here 9. India Journal: The Basic Shortages that Plague Our Schools 10. Why families pay the price Partnership 11. 10 Questions for the Dean of Admissions of the University of Pennsylvania 12. India poised for great structural change says Montek Singh Ahluwalia Dear Partners, 13. Good science will come with risky research’ 14. Skill India The Apeejay Stya Education Research Foundation 15. Faculty shortage may pose hurdle to four-year course plans (ASERF) invites news, articles, resource material, 16. Shaping the future of higher education opinions and analyses on relevant educational issues 17. Student access soars, but challenges remain that can be highlighted in our by-monthly e-bulletins and 18. India needs affordable, scalable models of development: Pitroda on the ASERF portal. 19. Should Foreign Universities set up “shops” in India? 20. Lessons from American schools We request if you could spare a few moments of your 21. Comprehensive Essay on the Structure of Indian Education System 22. Bill on education lacks vision valuable time to have a look at our website and guide 23. Law education: islands of excellence us on our regular initiatives. 24. Bills spark fears of 'police raj' on education 25. UGC representation on VC selection panel subject to conditions: Prakash Editor 26. India's Education Dream Risks Remaining Just That Resources Dr. Mithilesh Kumar Singh 1. Tribal areas undergoing socio-economic transformation in Himachal: Study 2. India’s next big growth bet: seriously, you need to study this 3. Ragging: the Indian experience 4. South India Surges in Higher Education 5. Higher education in 2012: leaders in the sector look ahead 6. Education stocks back on investors' radar 7. Oxford University launches study on politicisation of Indian jobless youth 8. Over 83% of MBAs prefer job profile rather hefty Pay Package: ASSOCHAM 9. Indian students rank 2nd last in global test Apeejay Stya Education Research Foundation Apeejay Stya House 14 Commercial Complex, Masjid Moth, Greater Kailash, Part – II, New Delhi - 110048 Tel. No. (91 – 11) 29228296 / 97 / 98. Fax o. (91 – 11) 29223326 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.aserf.org.in ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

ASPECT Education Department of each province of the British Empire was put under the Director of Public Essay on Wood’s Despatch and Grwoth of Instruction (DPI). The DPI exercised overall Education in India supervisory power overall educational institutions of The British educational policy continued on the a province starting from primary schools to basis of recommendations of Macaulay till changes colleges. were made under Dalhousie. Here again Dalhousie The DPI took care of the maintenance of the stands at partnership with Bentinck. When standard of education. Under the DPI, school Dalhousie came to India in 1848, the condition of Inspector worked to control and administer of the education was little different from one existed education system. The Despatch also encouraged when Bentinck arrived. The British Empire had Indian education in Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian grown to full shape. Many Indians had joined the languages and texts of English languages were Government services at lower grades. translated into Indian languages. Dalhousie realized that the Government had Government laid emphasis to make the education neglected the education for the masses. Vernacular secular and religious teaching in schools was education had declined and village schools discouraged. Training schools were opened to train (pathasalas) were not in a position to take up the the teachers in modern knowledge and teaching responsibility of educating the mass. The teachers methods. The Despatch also laid stress on technical (abadhans) were too traditional and there were no and women education and made provisions for school-houses and no printed books. award of scholarship for proficiency in studies to The teachers were not paid regularly. The subjects encourage meritorious students. taught in those schools were old and outdated. However, there was gap between the theory and Thus, Dalhousie thought a scheme to make practice. Though the "downward filtration theory" arrangement for the mass education of the primary was repudiated, it continued in practice and English education in vernacular languages. medium of education was preferred. By that time Sir Charles Wood was the President of The Government did little to execute the the Board of Control of the Company. Sir Wood recommendations. Knowledge in English was prepared a scheme on education policy for India essential for appointment in Government services and through it recommended details to be worked and English medium schools gained popularity. out. The scheme was sent to India and was known Emphasis on English medium also prevented the as "Wood's Despatch" of 1854. Dalhousie spread of education to the masses. It was not implemented the scheme in the same year. possible to open English Medium schools in rural Wood's Despatch: areas. Wood's Despatch was a complete scheme with That created wide gap between educated persons certain innovative aspects. It repudiated the and the masses and higher education, being costly, "downward filtration theory" that provided it remained confined to rich classes and urban education for upper classes. areas. Though female education drew attention In stead Wood's Despatch emphasized on the through the Despatch, little was done for the education of the masses and announced the duty purpose. and responsibility of the Government to provide The Government partly, was unwilling to hurt the education for the people of India. orthodox Indians and partly considered female Thus, the British attitude towards education as the education not useful as women would not join medium for cheap supply of clerks changed and offices. The major constraint was the unwillingness elementary education in vernacular languages was of the Government to spend for education of the considered as a welfare scheme under the people. Government. Accordingly, schools were to be In spite of certain limitations, Dalhousie brought established by the Government and primary significant changes in the condition of education in schools built by private efforts were to receive India by implementing Lord's Despatch. Immediate Government grants. effect was the establishment three universities in Schools receiving Government grants were to India on the pattern of University of London. follow the rules and regulations of the Government In 1857, the Universities of Calcutta (Kolkata) and were to be inspected by the authorities of the Bombay (Mumbai) and Madras (Chennai) were concerned department. established. By 1857 three Medical Colleges were functioning in the country one each at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 2 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

There was only one Engineering College at Roorkee we can see, there are only two non-Indian for technical education. No doubt, the education companies in the top 10 — and those low down - policy of the Company Government in India helped suggesting a clear competitive space for an MNC in propagating the modern ideas in India and led pharma with the right access strategies. the country towards modernization. Top 10 Pharma companies in India — 2010 Source: January 09, 2012/ Preserve Article Revenue (Rs Revenue ($ Company Roadmapping the future of the Indian billion) billion) pharmaceutical market Cipla 63.18 1.33 Ranbaxy 56.72 1.2 Gavin Outteridge, Vice President and Kamalika Dr Reddy's Laboratories 53.04 1.12 Nandi, Senior Analyst, Kinapse, explore the Indian Lupin 45.09 0.95 pharmaceutical market and identify opportunities Aurobindo Pharma 41.33 0.87 for Indian market access to weave a kundli Sun Pharmaceutical 31.05 0.66 Cadila Healthcare 29.2 0.62 (horoscope) for the margadarshan (guide) of GSK 23.74 0.5 multinational companies looking to optimise access IPCA Laboratories 18.81 0.4 in India Aventis Pharma 11.6 0.24 India has long fascinated the world - be it cultural Market access landscape in India heritage or unprecedented economic growth. A The Indian pharma market is dominated by self-pay similar fascination is excited by India's generics so the market access disciplines familiar pharmaceutical market which is at times written off with mature Western markets like health economics as just a self-pay generics-based market. and outcome research (HEOR), patient advocacy Yet, India, as the land of diversity, encompasses and reimbursement are in their infancy. However, everything from a large population in poverty to a government affairs and pricing functions can play a significant demography of wealthy individuals with very important role in the Indian scenario. first-world lifestyle disease prevalence. This HEOR diversity encompasses much more than a volume The local need for HEOR is almost nonexistent in market for generics. Though this seems complex to India. Due to absence of a public reimbursement outsiders it can be parsed to provide specific, system or significant Health Technology Assessment commercially attractive opportunities in India. (HTA) body, physicians, who are free to prescribe a While Indian companies dominate the US generic generic or a branded product as they please, are market with 33 per cent of 419 Abbreviated New the direct customers of a pharma company. This is Drug Application (ANDA) approvals from the US the reason why physician marketing remains a FDA in 2010 , India's own market is increasingly dominant lever for driving prescriber uptake in being penetrated by high technology products India. beyond off-patent small molecules, such as Government affairs biosimilars and medical devices. Biosimilar sales in The Government of India is increasingly investing to India are around $200 million, and expected to improve the healthcare infrastructure in India, grow to $580 million by 2012, and the Indian hence government affairs today plays an important medical devices and equipment market was valued role. at $3.6 billion in 2010 and is expected to reach $6.41 billion by 2014. Additionally, in spite of the The ambitious health goals for the country demand lack of a public reimbursement system in India, the need for an alternate system, which encourages Indian patients prove they can afford to pay out of private and non-state players to engage in their own pockets for patented molecules like partnerships with the state-run healthcare delivery Roche's Pagasys for Hepatitis C and GSK's Tykerb institutions. With India investing enormously in for breast cancer. healthcare infrastructure, the government has been inviting public private partnerships (PPP) and many The Indian pharma market has witnessed a companies have adopted the PPP model to establish successful growth rate of 21.3 per cent for the 12 themselves in India. The PPP model has largely months ending September 2010 . However, it is not contributed to GE Healthcare's success in India as just a growth story as the $12.6 billion Indian attested by Chaitanya Sarawate, Head of Market pharma market is currently the world's second Access India where he credited recent commercial largest by volume. From Kinapse's research based success to partnerships made with the government on Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) filings for the and with educational institutions. financial year 2010 - 2011, Cipla was the leading pharma company in 2010 (Table 1) while GSK was Pricing the top multinational pharma company in India. As www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 3 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

While India is not just a market for low priced that patient advocacy is a major power that medicines, it is crucial to be affordable here, influences parliamentarians and government policies because it is largely a self-pay (non- in India. reimbursement) market. However, a shift Reimbursement attributed to rising incomes has created a section Health insurance similar to that in the US is of society that is ready to pay a premium price for beginning to emerge in India for selected differentiated treatments and increased benefits. populations - however outpatient prescriptions still As Sandeep Duttagupta, Market Access and Pricing, remain out of the scope of reimbursement. In 2006, Emerging Markets, Pfizer observed to us, "In India, out of pocket expenditures made up over 75 per you are not deemed professionally successful cent of the total healthcare spend, essentially due unless you are a little bit obese!" Combining this to the poor quality of public healthcare facilities and cultural characteristic with a young educated the nascence of private insurance. middle class with fast-growing disposable incomes Gross health insurance premiums collected for FY11 and increased incidence of heart attacks in the increased by 33 per cent and are expected to grow under-35 age group provides a valuable with the expanding middle-high income bracket opportunity for higher-priced branded healthcare (>$2000 per year). products who can justify their price. Health insurance in the future may facilitate However, as confirmed by the head of Medical demand by making high-cost prescription drugs Affairs in India of a top 10 pharma MNC, with many more affordable. Although per capita disposable products outside the price control which is income is rising, the modest income of most of the exercised in India by Drugs Price Control Order population keeps speciality medicines unaffordable. (DPCO), market forces play a greater role than in Health insurers are keen to provide drug coverage, countries with a broader national pharma pricing but face a massive, paper-based distribution system scheme. However, regulations allow the with thousands of points of dispensation. government to intervene and control prices in the public interest even where the product lies outside Chaitanya Sarawate of GE Healthcare foresees the the explicit scope of the DPCO. role of government change from "provider" to "payer" in future. That would of course trigger Since medical devices and patented products are significant changes to the reimbursement, pricing often highly priced in India, the Indian government and patient advocacy landscape in India. is planning additional interventions. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has proposed to negotiate the prices of patented Successful patient advocacy campaigns in medicines based on an external reference pricing India system. Prices of the same medicines in other countries with comparable per capita incomes or While campaigns by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) forced purchasing power parity will be used as references. Cipla - world's largest generic AIDS drug producer to lower prices of its anti retroviral drugs by 20 per cent, the Cancer Patient advocacy Patients Aid Association (CPAA) helped reject exclusive India is a democracy where people's movements marketing rights for Glivec (by Novartis) in India. have implemented lasting change. From the Kinapse assesses that the conditions are right for patient advocacy to have a great impact on the market access freedom struggle to the latest anti-corruption scenario in India. Talking to Kinapse, the Head of Market movement - India has exhibited tremendous Affairs of a top 20 pharma MNC in India reinforced this with his people power. view that patient advocacy is a major power that influences parliamentarians and government policies in India. With a 67 per cent broadband subscriber growth per year, India is looking for information on the net like never before. This cultural characteristic and Drawing analogies from other industries technological trend combine with the fact that Foreign companies have been active in India since multiple agencies including regulatory bodies, the liberalisation of 1991. One of the most scientific review committees, ethics committees successful MNCs in India, Unilever, understood that and NGOs are all working towards improved India is a country where both the middle and lower- patient rights and protection in India. end segments are critically important. As an Kinapse assesses that the conditions are right for example of reaching the lower segment, Hindustan patient advocacy to have a great impact on the Lever created a new category for personal hygiene market access scenario in India. Talking to products and expanded the market considerably by Kinapse, the Head of Market Affairs of a top 20 offering single-use, low priced sachets of shampoos. pharma MNC in India reinforced this with his view At the same time, some of the successful MNCs www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 4 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION have also realised that price is not the only factor Kinapse recommends that multinational companies driving purchase decisions. Value conscious consider the following key levers to gain competitive consumers will pay a premium if the benefits of edge for market access in India: features and quality are seen to outweigh their 1. Develop a considered pricing strategy: As India is cost. LG for example, has reengineered its TV still a long way from a widespread shift to an product specifications in order to develop a no-frills insured payer model, pricing remains a sensitive model to expand the market at the low end and a issue in India. Pharma companies coming into India premium LED for the middle segment. usually consider differential pricing. For e.g. Finally, these companies have displayed immense Merck&Co. has launched differential pricing through commitment in dealing with the local government Januvia, its anti-diabetic drug, which is priced at regulations. Regulations governing the India approximately $1 per dose in India - a fifth of its mobile-telephony sector, for example, have been price in the US. However, a contrary perspective is amended several times since 1994. Although most provided by Sandeep Duttagupta with his multinationals left when the regulations changed, observation that "There is a tendency of companies Hutchison Whampoa continued to invest in India. in India to slash prices of drugs; however such a Today, Hutchison Essar (now Vodafone) is one of strategy is not sustainable." the top three mobile services companies in the The increasing middle class which is expected to be country in terms of market share. around a third of the population by 2015 provides a We agree that solutions applicable to other great opportunity to the MNCs to sell their premium industries do not always precisely fit to the pharma products in India. One source estimates that at industry. A similar opinion was provided by least 60 million Indians — a market as big as the Sandeep Duttagupta of Pfizer, who told us that UK — can already afford to buy Western medicines. "companies can reverse engineer to produce an 2. Overcome generic competition through patient electronic device with less functionality, but can't advocacy support: The evidence to date shows that launch a pharma compound without one part of its patient advocacy has been used against the pricing chemical structure". However, we believe analogies strategies of MNC pharma companies. However, can be drawn, and not just in medical devices Kinapse sees an opportunity for the industry to where the end product can be customised. For partner more positively with advocacy groups in example, GSK stands out from the rest because of India for mutual benefit. its flexibility to cater to the requirements of the Indian pharma market. It is the top MNC in India 3. Target the new growth opportunity areas: India with respect to revenue generation. There was a has a small biotechnology hub based largely in time when people failed to recognise it as a foreign Karnataka. The leading domestic biotech players company. include Serum Institute of India (2008 - 09 revenue India-centric strategies by GSK $242 million) and Biocon (2008 - 09 revenue $198 million). As leaders in generics, biosimilars seem to India-specific pricing: GSK is selling many of its drugs at prices well below those charged in developed countries, be a natural follow on business in India, providing retaining profitability by shifting manufacturing to India. the only alternative to expensive patented biologics. Emphasis on customised product line: GSK has selectively With medical tourism growing in India, demand for marketed drug products that align well with the disease profiles high end medical instruments and devices is in India. It has strategically focused on anti-infectives, acute expected to increase. A well known example is the care products and gastrointestinal products and has created a dominant position in these therapeutic groups. Indian government supporting an initiative by well known heart surgeon Dr Naresh Trehan to build a We agree that solutions applicable to other industries do not "Medi City" in Gurgaon, which is a high growth always precisely fit to the pharma industry. A similar opinion business headquartered in the same National was provided by Sandeep Duttagupta of Pfizer, who told us that Capital Region as Kinapse India. The compound will "companies can reverse engineer to produce an electronic support 17 super specialities and medical colleges. device with less functionality, but can't launch a pharma compound without one part of its chemical structure". However, The project is expected to cost an estimated $493 we believe analogies can be drawn, and not just in medical million . devices where the end product can be customised. For Contrasting pricing strategy by Roche example, GSK stands out from the rest because of its flexibility to cater to the requirements of the Indian pharma market. It is While other MNCs in India were selling their products at the top MNC in India with respect to revenue generation There discounted rates, Roche pursued premier pricing to position itself was a time when people failed to recognise it as a foreign as an innovative brand for its anti-retroviral drugs. However, this company. exceptional strategy failed and instead attracted criticism following which they had to reduce their prices. Roche has announced a new strategy of "tiered pricing" for emerging Key considerations for optimising access in India markets after pilots in Egypt and Brazil. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 5 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Conclusion NEWS Having considered the market access landscape, Pushed out of Harvard, professor returns fire successful strategies and having discussions with Indian Market Access leaders, Kinapse concludes Subramanian Swamy is an outspoken man. That is that India is a market with tremendous potential what got him into trouble last July. While teaching that cannot be ignored. While a rising per capita economics at the Harvard University summer income provides an opportunity for global school, he penned a sharply worded column for a companies to launch their premium products, lack newspaper in India, where he is a prominent right- of a public reimbursement system calls for a wing politician. careful pricing strategy. India will not be a Many readers thought his proposals would deny developing nation for ever and MNCs aiming for Muslims basic rights and incite riots. Some 40 success in India should increasingly deploy the Harvard professors called for his dismissal. disciplines of market access to get their share of But the furor died down, or appeared to, after a that inevitable growth. Harvard statement defended Swamy’s right to free speech as “central to the mission of a university.’’ Reference: The economics department invited him back for another summer. Swamy heard nothing else from Harvard. 1. Article in Business Standard on "Indian pharmaceutical remains top in US Then, a few weeks ago, he checked his e-mail and generics", January 2011 learned - from a Google Alert for his name - that his colleagues had fired him anyway. 2. Article in PharmaTech on "India To Become A Biosimilar Powerhouse", February 2011 Encouraged by a private note from the summer school’s dean, professors who opposed Swamy 3. Article in Pharmabiz on "Value of Indian came to a faculty meeting where summer classes medical devices market to touch US$ 6.41 were to be approved. The process is usually a bn by 2014: Cygnus", March 2011. rubber-stamp affair, but the professors argued so 4. Quoted from a PwC report passionately that Swamy’s courses were voted off 5. IBEF report - a trust by the Ministry of the slate. No one told Swamy about the meeting. Commerce, India Now, the case has devolved into an imbroglio about 6. Pharma to topple IT as big paymaster". The hate speech and academic freedom. The professors Economic Times Jun 2010 who led the charge against Swamy are buried in 7. Public Private Partnerships for Healthcare angry e-mails from his supporters in India. Others Delivery in India, Journal of world health are torn, despising both Swamy’s column and the and societal politics, September 2010 way he was relieved of his duties. Faust is in an awkward spot: She is scheduled to visit India in 8. Public Private Partnership to promote January. healthcare in India, December 2010 And the usually outspoken Swamy - who has made 9. Article in Economic Times, September 2006 few public comments on the issue, save a few 10. Article in Business Standard, June 2011 Twitter postings - is finally firing back. 11. India: Digital Market Overview, 2009 “I was surprised Harvard would do this, given that 12. WHO report on country specific health the president’s office said free speech was sacred,’’ expenditures,2009 he said in an interview. “The people who cut me 13. India Brand Equity Foundation, August out are leftists who have nothing to do with 2011 economics. There’s no allegation that in my class I 14. The Economist, May 2008 said anything offensive. There’s no allegation that it has affected my research. It’s almost like the 15. India's Pharmaceutical Industry on course Spanish Inquisition - they didn’t give me a chance.’’ for globalisation (Deutsche Bank Research),April 2008 No one, including Swamy, disputes that the column, which appeared in the English-language 16. Biospectrum ABLE ,2009 Daily News and Analysis, is provocative. Published 17. PWC report on Healthcare in India, 2007 after a terror bombing in India, it lays out a Source: January 0 4, 2012/Express Pharma online strategy “to negate the political goals of Islamic terrorism in India, provided the Muslim community

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 6 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION fail to condemn these goals and call them un- Higher Education and Research Bill likely to Islamic.’’ come up in 2012 Among its suggestions: remove an iconic mosque The Higher Education and Research Bill, 2011 was on the site of a Hindu temple “and 300 others in tabled in the Rajya Sabha the government seeks to other sites as a tit-for-tat;’’ declare that “only establish the National Commission on Higher those non-Hindus can vote if they proudly Education and Research (NCHER) as an overarching acknowledge that their ancestors are Hindus;’’ and regulatory body for university education including “enact a national law prohibiting conversion from professional, medical, vocational and technical Hindu religion to any other religion.’’ education. Source: January 02, 2012/Article Boston The existing regulatory bodies comprising the All India Council for Technical Education and the Aakash Gets a New Competitor University Grants Commission would gradually be Aakash has been doing very well in the markets to abolished. The services of employees and officers educate people. Here comes more good news for of the existing regulators would be protected, while Indian education sector as efforts of a graduate of no provision has been made for saving the jobs of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, and chairperson or members of UGC. Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, Rohit The bill proposes to encourage autonomy of higher Pande has given us a new education tablet known education and innovation, keeping in minds the as Classpad. global standards of education and research Aakash tablets have enjoyed a very good launch practices. as well as response from the consumers in the The NCHER will facilitate coordination, market now the next turn is of Classpad that has maintenance, determination and consistent been launched to efficiently cope with all the new improvement in standards of higher education and trends that have been seen recently picking up in research other than matters concerned with the tech sector. minimum standard of medical education and According to reports, the Classpad has been priced agricultural education. These are under the preview from Rs. 7,500-14,000. The device is available in of proposed National Commission on Human three different models, including Classpad 7, Resources in Health (NCHRH). Classpad 8 and Classpad 10. The commission for NCHRH Bill, 2011 will frame The features of Aakash and Classpad have some regulations and promote autonomy for institutional differences. Let's start with discussing the battery accountability as well as encourage joint and cross- life of both the tablets. Aakash tablet's battery life disciplinary programmes among institutions of is approximately one-and-half hours, whereas the higher education. latest tablet is facilitating a battery life of more The legislative proposals permit the establishment than 6 hours. of a General Council, which is proposed to be a The launch of 7-inch Aakash as the newest trend representative body with recommendatory and of learning by Union Minister for Human Resources advisory functions, besides having the powers to Development Mr. Kapil Sibal on October 5 cited a approve the regulations framed by the commission. big response. To serve better, the Government also The existing regulators had no participation from subsidized the price of the tablet to Rs. 1,700 for the States and the NCHER draft was revised to mass distribution in schools. The original cost of ensure representation of States in the General the tablet was Rs 2,500. Council. Under the new bill, states have also been The Classpad has been priced a little higher than exempted from asking prior approval of the NCHER Aakash tablet, mainly because the latest tablet before setting up new universities. has been especially designed to offer richer media The new bill also includes provisions for the and interactivity with many more number of apps. establishment of a Higher Education Financial "We have been working on it for the last four years Services Corporation for disbursing grants to higher and as part of our efforts we have been able to educational institutions and universities. come out with a sturdy device. This is like other Source: January 02, 2012/India Edu News high-end devices. Our aim is to create a personalized learning experience", said Rohit Education department plans NCERT syllabus Pande, CEO, Classteacher Learning Systems. from Class 1 Source: January 02, 2012/French Tribune The school education in the state will acquire new dimensions this year as the education department

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 7 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION is not only planning to introduce NCERT syllabus Science Congress, in Bhubaneshwar today. from Class I to Class VII, but also want to change Following is the text in Prime Minister’s address on the evaluation system. Teachers will have to spent the occasion: nearly 2 hours more in government schools to “I am delighted to be here in Bhubaneswar for the evaluate each student as per skills. On the other 99th Annual Sessio¬n of the Indian Science hand, the CBSE schools are also trying to improve Congress. Odisha is a most appropriate venue for their performance and trying to make CCE the Congress as this year we celebrate the 60th (comprehensive and continuous evaluation) anniversary of the UNESCO-Kalinga Prize set up by system more effective. the Late Shri Biju Patnaik. Indian science owes The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education has much to the vision of our early nation builders who already implemented NCERT courses in Class IX to gave science a prominent place in our development Class XII this year. "In this syllabus, students will planning processes. have single paper pattern in board exams and it I congratulate Professor Geetha Bali for choosing, also helps them to prepare for competitive as the theme for the Congress, the role of Science exams," said Subash Garg, chairman of the board. and Technology for Inclusive Innovation with The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has also started special reference to the role of women. NCERT course in Class VIII from this session in It was a hundred years ago that Madame Marie government schools in which about eight lakh Curie, one of the most outstanding scientists of the students are getting new pattern of studies. "We 20th century, won her first Nobel Prize. To honour have already arranged books in schools and her achievements, last year was declared as the training sessions have started for teachers to get International Year of Chemistry. acquainted with the new syllabus," said an official of Abhiyan. Marie Curie blazed a trail for women in the world of science. But her work also exemplified her belief "Our aim is to begin these courses in all classes that science should, in the end, contribute to from the coming academic session. But if it fails, tangible social good. She helped to set up X-ray then we will divide it into two phases," said an stations during the First World War and established official. the Curie Foundation which became a major force The department maintained that NCERT syllabus for the treatment of the dreaded disease of cancer. will give a comprehensive view to students. "The I have often spoken about the commitment of our main problem will be to make teachers adjust with Government to give a boost to the science and the NCERT books," says Manoj Dube, president of technology sector in the country. We have taken teachers' association. The department said that several steps towards this end. training and refresher programmes for teachers will be held in summer holidays. • We have greatly expanded the higher education infrastructure for Science and Technology by Besides the NCERT syllabus, the department is establishing new institutions. also going to change the school timings for the first time in the past 65 years. "The schools will • Public investment in Research and Development now have seven-and-a-half hour timing which is at has been growing at 20-25% per year during the present five-and-a-half hours a day," said Naseem 11th Plan period. Akhter, minister of state for education . She added • We have funded a number of schemes to that the schools will run for the same five-and-a- rejuvenate research and scientific excellence in half hours but the extra two hours will be for universities. teachers who will evaluate students and prepare lessons for next day. • We have introduced a large number of scholarships; most notably, the Innovation in "Every student is evaluated not by answer sheets Science Pursuit for Inspired Research or INSPIRE but by the personality and on his or her ability to scheme which gives awards to one million science grasp things. The grades and marks will be students. provided as per these skills," added Naseem Akhter. There is also some evidence that these efforts are beginning to produce results. Source: January 02, 2012/Times of India Over the last few years, the number of scientific PM’s address at the 99th Annual Session of publications by Indian scientists working in India the Indian Science Congress has increased at more than 12% per annum The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, against the global average of 4%. India has moved addressed the 99th Annual Session of the Indian from the 15th rank in 2003 to the 9th rank in 2010 www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 8 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION with respect to the number of publications in peer- Finally, we must enlarge the reach of international valued journals. collaboration. The university research system is also showing As far as resources are concerned, the fraction of signs of rejuvenation. In 2008, I gave away GDP spent on R&D in India has been too low and incentive awards to 14 universities under the stagnant. We must aim to increase the total R&D Promotion of University Research and Scientific spending as a percentage of GDP to at least 2 per Excellence (PURSE) scheme. In 2010, 30 more cent by the end of the XII Plan Period from the universities have qualified under the same criteria. current level of about 1 per cent. This can only be The University of Rajasthan leads among the top achieved if industry, which contributes about one- 50 Indian scientific institutions in citations per third of the total R&D expenditure today, increases paper under international collaboration. We its contribution significantly. I sincerely believe that produce, I have been told, 8,900 Ph.Ds annually in Public Sector Undertakings, particularly those in the science and engineering, three thousand more energy sector should also play a major role in this than five years ago. expansion. The INSPIRE scheme is doing well and is also We have to increase public private partnerships and responding to our concerns about inclusiveness. catalyse significantly increased interaction between The enrolment of weaker sections in the scheme is publicly owned Science and Technology institutions good and 49.6% of the INSPIRE awardees are and industry. It is in some ways ironic that General women. More than 60% of INSPIRE fellows Electric and Motorola have created world-class pursuing doctoral research happen to be women. technology hubs in India, while our own industry Over the past few decades, India's relative has not done so, except perhaps in the position in the world of science had been declining pharmaceutical sector. We need therefore, to look and we have been overtaken by countries like at ways of incentivising private Research and China. Things are changing but we cannot be Development investment under Indian conditions. satisfied with what has been achieved. We need to At present, publicly funded R&D is skewed in favour do much more to change the face of Indian of fundamental rather than applied research. It is science. We must strengthen the supply chain of easier to attract industrial funds into applied the science sector. While it is true that science and research areas and a set of principles should be engineering continue to attract some of our best formulated to push such funding and to drive students, many of them later opt for other careers Public-Private-Partnerships in Research and because of relatively poorer prospects in science. Development. The Biopolis in Singapore is an We must also make scientific output more relevant interesting example of a cluster approach that has to our stage of development. It is said that science brought together 2,000 scientists and researchers is often pre-occupied with problems of the rich, in the area of bio-sciences from public laboratories ignoring the enormous and in many ways more and private industry in one place. In India, we have challenging problems of the poor and the under- our own Open Source Drug Discovery project, privileged. which is a ‘virtual’ cluster enabling the creation of affordable and effective solutions which would not As we head into the Twelfth Plan, there are some be likely with a conventional ‘in-lab’ approach. objectives we must try to achieve in the Science and Technology sector. While research generates new knowledge, we need innovation to use this knowledge creatively and First, we must ensure a major increase in productively for social benefit. Our Government has investment in R&D, including by industry and declared 2010-20 as the “Decade of Innovations”. strategic sectors. We need to give practical meaning to innovation so Second, we must the ensure creation of a new that it does not end up being just a buzz word. innovation ecosystem. I understand that the National Innovation Council is Third, we must achieve greater alignment of the proposing to set up an India Inclusive Innovation Science and Technology sector with the inclusive Fund that will drive and catalyse enterprise, development needs of our nation. entrepreneurship, and venture capital, while Fourth, we must expand basic science targeting solutions for the bottom of the national infrastructure. pyramid. Fifth, we must encourage greater research In this context, it is important that we explore and collaboration among universities and national rejuvenate traditional knowledge systems found all laboratories. We hope to use the National over our country in areas such as agriculture, Knowledge Network to this end. architecture, handicrafts and textiles. One need go

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 9 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION no further than the tribal communities of the We are examining a proposal to build national Kharia, Santhals, Gonds and Kolhas who live in the capacity and capability in supercomputing which deep forest areas of Mayurbhanj and have a will be implemented by the Indian Institute of reservoir of knowledge on medicinal usage of Science Bangalore at an estimated cost of Rs. 5000 locally available plants. crore. I congratulate the tribal community of Koraput for The Government is also considering a proposal to the global recognition they have received for their establish a Neutrino Observatory in Theni district in contribution to conserving bio-diversity and Tamil Nadu with a proposed investment of Rs 1350 developing climate-change resilient farming crore. systems. The Department of Earth Sciences has launched a An occasion like the present one should be used to Monsoon Mission to improve the predictability of revisit a fundamental question: what is the role of the Indian monsoons. science in a country like India? There is no simple This year the Nobel Committee recognized the answer. But for a country grappling with the contributions of three extraordinary women who challenges of poverty and development, the over- were inspirational agents of change in the struggle riding objective of a comprehensive and well- for peace, democracy and human dignity in their considered policy for science, technology and respective countries. innovation should be to support the national In India too women are making a mark in objective of faster, sustainable and inclusive traditionally male bastions and decisively breaking development. the glass ceiling. The Project Director of the Agni There is much that the scientific community can Missile programme is a distinguished woman do to achieve these objectives. Research should be scientist Dr. Tessy Thomas. Last year, for the first directed to providing 'frugal' solutions to our time, three women scientists received the chronic problems of providing food, energy and prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award, as water security to our people. Science should help compared to a total of only 11 women awardees for us understand how to give practical meaning to all the years since 1958 up to then. the concept of sustainable development and green I congratulate these creative women scientists. I growth. Science should help us shift our mindsets hope that their examples will motivate other from the allocation of resources to their more women to take up careers in science, where women efficient use. Technology and process engineering are under-represented. should help us reach the benefits of development to those who need it most. I commend the Department of Science and Technology for introducing the "Women Scientists Under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, Scheme" which has helped more than 2000 women our government has launched eight National scientists resume careers after breaks arising from Missions in important areas such as Sustainable family commitments. Agriculture, Water, Energy Efficiency, Solar Energy and Forestry. All the Missions have strong The Department of Science and Technology is also components of science and technology. I would formulating another scheme called 'DISHA' which urge the scientific community to pool their will help women scientists to relocate to other knowledge and wisdom to contribute to the cities. The Department will create 1000 contractual success of these critical National Missions. positions tenable in publicly funded institutions for this purpose. A fellowship matching the total Several initiatives have already been taken. The emoluments of an in-service Science and Solar Energy Corporation of India headed by Dr. Technology professional will be provided when she Anil Kakodkar has been established and is now a moves from one station to another. functional entity. A National Water Policy is under active preparation. The National Mission on But, we should also take note of the results of a Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change has study published last year that showed that 60% of already identified two centres of excellence at IIT, nearly 2000 Indian women Ph.Ds in science who Mumbai and ICRISAT, at Hyderabad to build were surveyed were unemployed. The main reason capacities in climate science. cited was lack of job opportunities. Only a very small number cited family reasons. This underlines Increasing food production and nutritional security the need for transparency in selection procedures are critically important and our agricultural at institutions and also the great importance of scientists should therefore work towards scientific gender audits. breakthroughs that can enable a second green revolution to become a living reality.

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This year we celebrate the 125th birth anniversary only curricular but also extra-curricular activities of the great mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan. are organized in these schools resulting in the all We have declared 2012 to be the National round development of the child. Mathematical Year to emphasize the importance of Although parents can also teach their children at maintaining our traditional strength in home using the required resources yet home mathematics. schooling is not welcomed to a nice extent. It is a matter of great pride that the name of Government of India is also paying attention to another great Indian scientist Satyendranath Bose vocational training at the secondary level of is associated with an elementary particle that may education so that the students can better revolutionise our understanding of sub-atomic understand their interests and accordingly choose physics. their career. In the final analysis, the pursuit of science is a It's a matter of pride that we are the third largest process of unlocking the human mind. It is an in the world when it comes to higher education. exploration of the mystery, beauty and method in Indian Institute of Technology commonly known as the universe by stretching the frontiers of our IITs, Indian Institute of Management (IIMs), Tata imagination. We need to invoke the power of Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Indian science in every sphere of our economy and way Institute of Science etc. are the most admired of life. institutions of India which brought both name and I end by quoting Isaac Asimov who said "There is fame to India. You can too buy latest images and a single light of science and to brighten it videos on these topics from various media houses. anywhere is to brighten it everywhere" Indian Government is making efforts for the further Source: January 03, 2012/PIB improvement of higher education. The much awaited Foreign Universities Bill is still waiting for Education in India - Government Seems to be its turn in the queue. The approval of this bill is Serious expected to show green signal to the foreign The concept of education in India is not new rather universities to establish their campuses in India. it was India where education under the supervision Apart from these there is an opportunity for the of a guru started. In those times Nalanda and people who failed to complete their school Taxila were the important institutions of learning education due to some reasons. National Institute and considered to be favorites of a number of of Open Schooling (NIOS) gives them a chance to foreign students. In fact Nalanda University of study again through open and distance learning. India was among the oldest Universities in the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) world. provides distance learning at higher level. Now with the change in times education system of Unfortunately the literacy rate of women in India is India has undergone a sea change. Now pre- much lower than men. To bridge the gap primary and primary, elementary and secondary, Government of India has recently launched a undergraduate and postgraduate are the different mission known as Sakshar Bharat Mission for Female Literacy to encourage female education. To levels of education in India. Government too is buy news images you can contact reputed media making great efforts so that everyone can get houses and get the required content at attractive access to education. Government emphasizes to terms. provide compulsory elementary education up to 14 In this way Indian Government is not only taking years of age and has also banned child labour. initiatives but also making meaningful efforts to According to the Right of Children to Free and encourage education for all Indians so that our Compulsory Education Act 2009, children between country can progress by leaps and bounds. 6 to 14 years of age group will get the education Source: January 03, 2012/Super Article for free. Apart from this, government has India Changes Role of Higher-Education aggressively campaigned for Sarva Shiksha Regulators to Ensure Openness Abhiyan but it still has a long way to go due to Even as India moves toward creating a single, lack of resources. You can buy content regarding overarching higher-education regulator, the Indian the issue from big media houses. government is changing its current system to However if we talk about private schools you can ensure more openness in curricula changes and see superior academic results of students. Not how funds are disbursed, reports the Hindustan Times. The changes will affect the All India Council www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 11 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION for Technical Education and University Grants Management (IIM), become the managerial class Commission, which oversee professional education that runs the state and industries.” Sibal has a and universities respectively. point. Despite economic and industrial growth, a Instead of being inspected by teams of officials, large section of society continues to remain institutions will regulate themselves, posting marginalised and disempowered. This certainly is disclosures on the regulators’ Web sites and facing true because many of our youths are still not part a heavy penalty if they don’t provide accurate of the mainstream of professional and higher information. India’s university regulator also education. Even among those who go for a recently set new standards to monitor the use of professional education, a very few of them get the government funds, according to a separate article opportunity to study in what the minister defines as in the Hindustan Times. Both regulators have in “elite institutions”. However, there is also another the past been criticized for corruption during the side to the situation. Those who graduate from elite process of approving a new course or a new institutions get absorbed in prime knowledge university. industries, mainly in information technology-related industries and they become a part of the top layer Source: January 03, 2012/Chronicles.com of society who earn prestige and money. Focus on sharing educational resources In the past two decades, the job scenario has A one-day workshop on ‘Excellence in higher undergone a change. Jobs in the public sector are education and technology through information and declining; mainly because, apart from salary, these communication technologies' and National jobs are not offering challenges to the graduates. Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning In the corporate world and information as well as (NPTEL) Resources' will be held at the Technopark computer sectors, the growth has been exponential near here on January 28. and they offer global opportunities. Participation in the global economy brings prestige and handsome The workshop is for administrators, students, and financial returns and they outstrip what the Indian faculty members of colleges, universities, and economy can offer. Even Indian industries offer research institution; and scientists. better financial packages. And, it is not only for NPTEL was an initiative of the Ministry of Human those coming out of elite institutions who have an Resource Development at the Indian Institute of advantage, but, graduates produced by many other Technology (IIT), Chennai. Eduworld Sciencenet of state level and other educational institutions are the Indian Institute of Information Technology and getting good jobs. It is also interesting to note that Management-Kerala would be associated with it. many students in this spectrum are from financially The objective of the workshop was to establish a poor and socially weak families. So what is common platform and community to share happening is we now have a “financially stratified” educational resources and use the resources class of graduates, irrespective of their social effectively to attain higher levels of academic background. If it happens uniformly, financial excellence. stratification in every section of society would bring Under the NPTEL programme, over 320 faculty about social equity. members in IITs and such institutes had developed This precisely is a challenge for our education content in about 230 courses catering to the system. Today, a large number of educational undergraduate engineering curriculum. The institutions are in the general education domain – content was available in the form of recorded in pure sciences, arts and humanities and video lectures and as supplementary learning commerce and accountancy – and they cater to materials for regular engineering college courses almost 80 per cent of our students – today, there in web-accessible format. are 12 million youths in the entire professional and Source: January 03, 2012/The Hindu higher education spectrum. Sibal refers to the graduates of these elite institutions who account for Financial stratification in education hardly 20 per cent of the entire student population. In December, while inaugurating the 125th birth They do get economically stratified, but, the anniversary celebration of mathematics wizard challenge is to uniformly and seamlessly spread Srinivasa Ramanujan in Chennai, Union minister this economic stratification across society. The Kapil Sibal made a very interesting comment. He question is how we are going to do it? said, “Thus far, we have had an education system We need to fortify our core education in different that is socially stratified …. Graduates of a few subjects and also disciplines with several support elite universities, such as the Indian Institute of layers. The foundation of core education must be Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of in-depth with conceptual and theoretical models www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 12 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION forming the base. There can be no compromise on yardstick of the quality of education at many Indian this part of education. Indeed, this is the sector in institutions is that students studying at these which the major role of the educational institution institutes in India are regularly and increasingly would be to consolidate and expand core getting global attention and attractive international knowledge. These become critically important. In job offers from multinational corporations looking addition, education institutions must create layers for talent. that have inter-linkages with the core but covers Today, people from different countries come to and concentrates on domain specific application India because the cost of education is very skills. competitive and the quality is very high. In These days, there is a necessity to have basic addition, the fast integrating world economy and knowledge at an empirical level in support skills corresponding rise of student mobility have made that are at the periphery. For example, studying in India an attractive option. Large engineering graduates need to understand the numbers of Non Resident Indians, as well as economics of production, sociology and human foreign students, apply each year to Indian behaviour (because, finally, it is the human being universities and colleges. For all those who wish to who buys a product) in different cultures and study in India, it is very important to get prior and managerial skills to handle both unskilled and correct information about the courses that they skilled labour. This forms the third layer of would like to undertake, the university they want to educational needs, and, at the fourth level, one apply to, and how to go about the application accommodates what is termed as soft skills, which procedure. For an international student, it is also deal with personality, communications and inter- important to know the accommodation facilities, personal linkages. There is one more layer that weather conditions, food habits and cost of living in has come into prominence in the 21st century the city in which he or she intends to study. business environment — a value system. The India Education Exhibition 2012, which will The word “values” in Indian society is “taboo”, take place on the 6th and 7th of January 2012, at mainly because “values” are unwarrantedly linked the Ramada Hotel Kuwait, in Al Riggae, from with “religion”, which is wrong. Religion has 10.30am to 8.30pm, will display attractive options nothing to do with values. The “values” are the available to NRI and other students in Kuwait, to inbuilt capabilities that gives a person self- obtain undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in confidence to meet the challenges of global various disciplines, including medicine, engineering, competition and build a work culture that creates business management, marketing and comfort in the minds of the employer and the communications, arts and science, hospitality and customer. The value system of the 21st century hotel management and Allied Health Sciences. This needs to have a flavour of globalisation, but, also, exhibition will have over 15 leading Indian it should have roots in the culture in which an Exhibitors with more than 150 institutions under individual grows. Thus, if a graduate wants to them offering nearly 300 and above programs. All become useful for any job or useful to industry, the participating institutes are recognized by the he/she needs to have a five-tier educational AICTE, UGC and respective government bodies in exposure; the fundamental base that India. encompasses conventional method of learning and Indian Education Exhibition 2012, being held for creates a foundation for new delivery methods, the fifth consecutive year in Kuwait, is a one-stop which adds on to the additional four layers that information event for learning about the variety of helps to create a learned and skilled graduate at a professional and vocational courses that NRI and holistic level. The educational institutions need to Kuwait students can pursue in reputed institutions adopt this holistic approach, and, then alone, we of higher learning in India. Students, along with shall be creating a system that abolishes both their parents will get an opportunity to personally social and financial stratifications. These are the interact with college administrators and professors, indicators of developed economies and India has to know about the variety of educational programs to achieve it. available in India. Source: January 03, 2012/My digital fc The profile of the participating institutes include India a global destination for higher International Schools / Universities / Deemed education Universities / Engineering Colleges / Medical Colleges / MBA & Management / B -Schools / India is fast becoming a global destination for Distance Education / Pharmacy & Nursing / Bio higher education that is on par with major Informatics / Information Technology / Colleges educational institutions around the world. A good offering Higher education in Arts & Science / Hotel www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 13 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Management & Catering Technology / Post nothing, and nobody even bothered to check,” he Graduation & Research / Diploma Studies/ says. He wants to admit his child to a school where International Schools /Unique and specialized she is taken care of, and can benefit from a good programs. In addition the exhibition offers free education. A driver by occupation, he proudly educational counseling / registration and proclaims he had read from a newspaper that admissions from school education to research people from economically weaker sections can programs. apply for admission in any school of their choice. The exhibition, which has free entry, is being Kumar’s first preference is Cambridge School organized by Indus Fairs & Events (India) Pvt. Ltd because it is closer to home, and the child will find in association with Response Events and it easier to go there. “I want Pulkita to study in a Exhibitions, Kuwait. Indus Group, established in good school till Class XII. After that, she can chose the year 1995, is engaged in organizing trade her own path in life, but I want to give her the best shows and exhibitions in India and abroad. The I can,” says Yogesh. exhibition has become an annual affair and quite Watching his friend’s daughter getting good popular among the NRIs in Gulf region. education was what motivated Kuldeep Atal to keep Source: January 03, 2012/Q8India an eye on the nursery admissions. He has been Full of hope, EWS parents send kids to working as a receptionist at a doctor’s clinic for the private schools last 10 years at a salary of Rs 5,000 per month. “Last year, the daughter of one of my friends got “I don’t want him to become like me.” Ved Prakash admitted in Faith Academy under the EWS quota, (35) claims to have no confidence in the “quality so I decided to do the same for my son, Kavyansh,” of education” in government schools, and that’s he said. the very reason he does not want his three-year- Source: January 04, 2012/Indian Express old son, Himanshu, to attend one. Prakash had completed his education from an MCD school in Internationalisation of higher education has Karol Bagh. expanded dramatically: Prof. Jane Knight Prakash, who works at a garment store on Tank Internationalisation is one of the major forces that Road, earns Rs 4,500 a month. “I wanted to go to is shaping higher education, as it is to meet the Satyawati College in Ashok Vihar and join the challenges of the 21 century, according to Jane Indian Army,” he says. He managed to pass Class Knight, distinguished educationist from Ontario XII, but could not realise his dream of entering Institute for Studies in Education, University of college because his father could no longer fund his Toronto, Canada. education. She was delivering the inaugural Erudite Lecture on Prakash has been visiting schools for the past two the theme ‘Internationalisation of Higher Education days, trying to get application forms for his child. in the 21st Century’ at the School of International He understands that even when one doesn’t count Relations and Politics (SIRP), Mahatma Gandhi the tuition fee, there will be a lot of expenditure University here on Wednesday. involved in sending his son to one of the bigger Prof. Knight said that internationalisation referred schools of Delhi. But he is ready to make that to different things to different people, and the sacrifice. “I will provide him whatever he needs, overall picture that is emerging is one of but I will not send him to a government school,” complexity, diversity and differentiation. The Prakash says. internationalisation of higher education is a process He hopes that someday, his son will become a that is evolving as both actor and reactor to the doctor. new realities and rather turbulent times facing Unlike him, Anwar Abbasi from Nizamuddin in higher education. She said that the international South Delhi does not rule out the option of activities of universities dramatically expanded in sending his son to a government school. He, volume, scope, and complexity during the past however, considers it his “last option” as decades. These activities range from traditional “government schools are neglected”. He wants study-abroad programs, allowing students to learn Huzaifa to serve the country in any way he can, about other cultures, to providing access to higher after he has completed his education. education in countries where local institutions cannot meet the demand. Other activities stress Even today, he rues the fact that he did not get upgrading the international perspectives and skills the chance to educate himself beyond Class X. of students, enhancing foreign language Similar is the plight of Yogesh Kumar from programmes, and providing cross cultural Ashram. “I spent five classes out of eight doing understanding. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 14 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Prof. Knight said that although globalisation and National Commission for Higher Education and internationalisation were related, they are not the Research (NCHER). same. While globalisation is the context of Through the NCHER, the government aims to economic and academic trends that are part of the establish a super regulator, which would subsume reality of the 21st century, internationalisation existing regulatory bodies like National Council for incorporated the policies and practices that are Teachers Education (NCTE), University Grants undertaken by academic systems and institutions Commission (UGC) and All India Council for —and even individuals—to cope with the global Technical Education (AICTE) to ensure academic environment. The motivations for transparency. internationalisation include commercial advantage, knowledge and language acquisition, enhancing The bill tabled in the Rajya Sabha on December 27, the curriculum with international content, and 2012 states that the act shall apply to all the many others. Specific initiatives such as branch higher educational institutions and universities campuses, cross-border collaborative other than those engaged in agricultural education arrangements, programs for international and research. students, establishing English-medium However, the law ministry expressed that to meet programmes and degrees, and others have been the emerging challenges of legal profession and put into place as part of the internationalisation education, a separate independent and specialized process. Attempts to monitor international body should be set up. initiatives and ensure quality are integral to the After analyzing the NCHER, the BCI said that it is a international higher education milieu, Prof. Knight serious matter and they consider it an pointed out. encroachment on their powers. Ashok Parija, BCI Earlier, inaugurating the lecture series, University chairman expressed that the HRD ministry should Vice Chancellor Rajan Gurukkal, said that “deeper have taken them into confidence. knowledge is essentially subversive” but the The HRD ministry reacted saying several law current trends in higher education across the colleges were being run by the universities and world tend to mould people to be “conformists” in excluding them from the ambit of the proposed every sense. In the emerging scenario, discursive council would defeat the purpose of having a practices are seen as uninvited guests and thereby uniform regulator for higher education. taking away politics of deeper knowledge from the Source: January 04, 2012/India Edu News very process of developing critical consciousness, Prof. Gurukkal said. Indian education institutes nowhere on top Raju Thadikkaran, Director, SIRP welcomed the 100 gathering. K. M. Seethi chaired the session. M.V. A study report by three reliable sources, namely QS Bijulal, P.P. Raveendran, Suresh and others spoke. World University Rankings, Academic Ranking of Meanwhile, the University has informed that Prof. World Universities from Jiao Tong Universities and Knight will be the Scholar-in-Residence during Times Higher Education World University Rankings January - February 2012 and will deliver a series have one thing in common from the Indian of lectures on various themes of higher education. perspective that none of them found a single Indian The programme is being organised in association University worth finding a place in the world's top- with the Kerala State Higher Education Council. 100. Source: January 04, 2012/The Hindu What is even more alarming for our education sector is, with IIT-Bombay at 187th place, at least HRD, Law ministries conflicting for control of there is one entry in world top-200 of QS World legal education University Rankings; there is none even in top-200 A disagreement has cropped up between the of other two. ministries of Law and Human Resource This is said to be the result of the limited study Development (HRD) regarding the control of legal places at top universities & colleges, lack of quality education courses being run in 913 Colleges, 260 and uniform research facilities across the country, colleges and 14 National Law Schools across the limited study places at top universities & colleges, nation. and as a result of economic growth. The apex regulator for legal profession and Twenty one institutes are declared as Institutes of education in India, the Bar Council of India (BCI) National Importance (INIs) in India. They are the has objected to include legal education under the absolute top education institutes in India. The seven top INIs include IITs and also six of the IIMs.

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 15 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Finally, the Indian Institutes of Science (IISc) and dreams of a better future shattered,” said Mohit some medical universities are included in this Top Gundecha, CEO, YourNextLeap.com, a Pune-based Indian Education Ranking. online career and academic counsellor. In India a high position in the rankings represents; Indian Banks generally put a cap on providing the first choice of the best students, increased education loans for higher studies abroad, and this revenues from contract research and better ranges between Rs 15 and 20 lakh. Owing to the opportunities for internationalization. The current rupee downfall, this disbursed amount differences in quality between institutions, and would be insufficient for MS aspirants. also within faculties themselves are very large. To tide over this fund crunch, say overseas With the much hyped Foreign University Bill about education consultants, students are either looking to be passed amidst discussions and debate, it's at alternative sources of funding like scholarships yet to see if the trend reverses. or picking on campus part-time jobs, etc. For many Source: January 04, 2012/City Journal who are not able to arrange for either, waiting for the rupee to cool off is the only option. Cost of foreign education rises as rupee falls Vinayak Kamat of Gee Bee World, a Mumbai-based To tide over fund crunch, students are either overseas education consultancy, says students who looking at alternative sources of funding like are solely relying on bank loan and then working scholarships or picking up part-time jobs. back in India on starting level salaried jobs will be Nayan Upadhyay of Mumbai is hoping the New worst affected. Year will bring some cheer for the depreciating A Krishna Kumar, managing director (national rupee. Upadhyay, who wishes to pursue a Masters banking group), State Bank of India, says the course in International Business, is suddenly impact of depreciation in rupee value will not be feeling the heat. “The way rupee is behaving, I am seen in the current year but it will do so in the next wondering if I will have to shelve my study plans academic year. Banks will work out cost economics and take up a job. The depreciation has already in March-April this year. pushed my course fee up by 18 per cent. This is in Education loan growth slows addition to the living expenses," he says. Rupee's depreciation coupled with the uncertainty Upadhyay's course for 21 months begins in April in the global economy may have also led to a 2012. He will have to shell out a total of Rs 34.2 slower growth of education loans. “Global lakh for the course — Rs 23 lakh for tuition fee uncertainty, which has probably played on the and Rs 11.14 lakh towards living expenses. Had minds of risk managers at banks, could have led to Upadhyay sought admission in 2011, he would slow growth in education loans. They may now have saved over Rs 5.38 lakh. perceive higher risks for students, as far as job In the past one year, rupee has depreciated over potential is concerned,” said Prashant Bhonsle, 18 per cent. In January 2011, rupee was at 44.72. country head, Credila Financial Services, an HDFC It ended the year at a low of 53.07. Ltd venture. The increase in study cost is directly proportional Data from the Reserve Bank of India shows that to the percentage of rupee depreciation. Also, year-on-year rate of disbursals of education loans rising cost of buying US dollars (plus a 2 per cent grew only 17 per cent in October, against 24 per bank rate on the rise), increases the cost Indian cent in October 2010. students have to shell out for studying abroad. Credila, however, says Bhonsle has experienced This means that even if the bank sanctions, say more than two-and-half-times surge in applications about Rs 15 lakh loan now, it would yield only in the last two months over the corresponding about $28,000, which otherwise would have period last year. Credila offers education loans for yielded over $33,000. Thus, the students have to over Rs 20 lakh. The value of loans for overseas look for additional sources of finance to gather studies is higher (above 7.5 lakh), and hence banks almost 20 per cent more money. take collateral for security. Currently, loans up to Rs “There are many deserving and worthy candidates 4 lakh do not require any collateral, and loans up to from humble background who apply for higher Rs 7 lakh require a third-party guarantee. studies abroad. For them, arranging the funds is The education loan business is in direct co-relation not an easy task despite their strong academic with the education sector. How the sector evolves records and the availability of over 50 — the potential employability and the courses being scholarships. The weak rupee has resulted in launched — has an impact on repayments and risk higher cost of financing, and some families have perception of people who lend to students. As the indeed seen their savings fall short and their www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 16 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION sector is evolving fast, it makes the domain combine excellent academic ability with an evolved challenging for lenders like banks, where research interest in an area outside their field of study, will done on the sector is minimal. be selected to be a part of the Fellowship for 2012- Also, thanks to higher interest rates, many people 13. are using their own savings, rather than taking Dean, Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha, also founding dean of education loans. “With the rupee depreciating, the Indian School of Business, said YIFP was foreign education would become more expensive, searching for India's brightest young people, those and this might reduce the offtake of education who wanted to make a difference and discover their loans further, as people may go for higher true potential. "I strongly encourage university education in India,” said M Narendra, chairman graduates who have the vision, drive, passion and and managing director, Indian Overseas Bank. ability to achieve at the highest level and who Source: January 05, 2012/Business Standard aspire to be change agents for India to apply for the Fellowship," he said. "We believe that YIFP is Overwhelming Response To First-Round unsurpassed in its ability to create tomorrow's Admissions For 2012-13 Young India leaders. YIFP's multi-disciplinary academic course, Fellowships its practical and focused internship project and Delhi (OPENPRESS) January 4, 2012 - Second and many opportunities to interact with some of India's final round open in search for 2012-13 batch of and the world's finest thinkers and leaders is Young India Fellows unrivalled." - Almost 1000 applications already received in first During the first round of admissions, applications round of admissions for this unique multi- have been received from graduates hailing from disciplinary post-graduate programme in villages to major metros, and there is an equal association with Ivy League, University of proportion of female and male applicants. Online Pennsylvania (UPenn) applications were filled out by 865 applicants and - World-class faculty from various domains of an additional 50 applied by mail. Three-hundred expertise - names such as Andre Béteille, are subsequently being called up for telephonic and Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Radha S. Hegde, Vivek personal interviews, with in-person interviews Bhandari and UPenn professors, Kenwyn Smith beginning January 1 and continuing till January 21, and Dwight Jaggard - expected to return for 2012- 2012. 13 academic year Applications are invited from students across the - Last date for submission of applications: 28th country - from diverse academic and social February 2012 backgrounds. The rigorous admission process for YIFP starts with applicants filling out a detailed Following the success of the first application round application dossier designed to give an insight into for 2012-13 Young India Fellowships, admissions their multi-faceted personalities. "This is followed have opened for the second and final round. A by a telephone interview and an exercise to test total of 915 applications were received for the 50 applicants' ability to work as part of a team before places, more than the 750 overall received for the the final personal interaction to select a Young inaugural 2011-12 batch. Applications have come India Fellow," YIFP Deputy Dean, Dr. Anunaya from graduates of institutions including IITs, BITS Chaubey, said. Pilani, St. Stephen's College, Loyola College and Jadavpur College, and from engineers, lawyers, To ensure it gets the highest-calibre applicants, the doctors, architects and social science, humanities YIFP admissions team will resume presentations at and fine arts students. Graduate students now higher education institutions this month - at have until February 28 to submit their applications Kolkata, Mumbai and Guwahati, covering such for the second round of admissions. institutions as St Xavier's, Presidency, Jadavpur, HRM College of Commerce and TISS. They have Run in partnership with the University of already visited institutions ranging from Kashmir Pennsylvania (UPenn), the Young India Fellowship University and NID (Ahmedabad) to IITs, Delhi Programme (YIFP) is a one-year, fully funded University, St Xavier's College, Loyola College multi-disciplinary post-graduate course based in (Chennai), Christ University (Bangalore) and New Delhi. It seeks to create India's next Symbiosis (Pune), among others. generation of socially conscious business and community leaders by providing them with an Meantime, the inaugural 2011-12 batch are education that integrates academic breadth with completing Term 6 of the year-long programme, real-life work experience. A minimum of 50 recent having recently studied courses such as leadership, graduates from diverse subject areas, who visual communication and algorithms. They are www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 17 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION now heavily engaged in their Experiential Learning Public-pvt partnership to boost research in Module real-life internship projects with 12th five-year plan corporations and organisations including Genpact, The 12th five-year plan, whose period is just about Harley-Davidson, Bharat Light and Power and the four months away, will see a significant focus on Council for Environment, Energy and Water promotion of science and technology and public- (CEEW). private partnership in research areas. Their attainments since joining YIFP include The science and technology sector will occupy the winning a Fulbright Scholarship, the 2011 World “ Bank Essay competition and the opportunity to centrestage in the 12th five-year plan. We are represent India at the UNESCO Youth Forum in aiming to propel India from poor economy to Paris. middle economy status. By the end of the plan period, we aim to achieve remarkable growth in per YIFP Faculty is drawn from UPenn as well as other capita income,” member of the Planning leading universities in India, the US and the UK. Commission Dr K Kasturirangan said. Fellows are mentored by industry leaders such as NR Narayana Murthy (Founder, Infosys), Deepak He was speaking at a panel discussion on ‘science Parekh (Chairman, HDFC), Kiran Karnik (Satyam), policy making’ at the ongoing 99th Science Keki Dadiseth (Sony) and Anoop Prakash (Harley- Congress here. Davidson). The draft policy would suggest a significant The academic session starts in June 2012. Visit increase in the state spending on S&T, from the www.youngindiafellowship.com and click on "Apply current 0.9 per cent of GDP to 2 per cent, the Now". noted space scientist said. This is in tune with PM Manmohan Singh’s call for a significant increase in About YIFP: The Young India Fellowship R&D spending and catching up with competitors Programme (YIFP), in conjunction with the like China. University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), is the first academic programme in the country to fill the void He said special programmes would be started to in higher education for a holistic, multi-disciplinary nurture students for science and private industries course based on the liberal arts. would be asked to increase funding for research and development. A one-year, fully funded residential scholarship, YIFP has been specially conceived and designed to There would be more public funding in research, Dr create the country's finest, most socially conscious Kasturirangan said. leaders. Each year's batch of 50-plus Fellows will The science policy is expected to increase take subjects including Analytical Thinking, employment through manufacturing sector, harness Leadership, Writing and Listening Skills, young talent pool, encourage participation in Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, History, research and increase industry-academia Economics and Statistics as well as classes interaction, he said. designed to bring out their creativity, such as Art Dr VM Katoch, Director General (DG) of Indian Appreciation and Latin Dancing. Council of Medical Research, said the 12th five-year They will undertake a unique experiential learning plan must focus on health for all. internship, and gain practical work experience Dr S Ayyappan, Director General of Indian Council through a real-life project. of Agriculture Research (ICAR), said there was a Fellows will be taught by leading thinkers from need for de-bureaucratisation of procedures. respected universities both in India and abroad, Dr Samir K Brahmachari, Director General of and will be mentored by some of India's best Council of Scientific and Industrial Research known leaders, chosen for their ability to be (CSIR), said the education system should be more outstanding motivators and role models. YIFP is flexible and the youth should be given bigger the precursor to Ashoka University, a world-class responsibility to guide scientific projects. university focused on the liberal arts and sciences, Source: January 04, 2012/The Tribune set to open in the Delhi NCR in 2013. Indian Universities To Support Village Ashoka's founders, the International Foundation Students for Research and Education (IFRE), envision the university as India's finest centre of higher A ten-year plan for a modern, high-quality education, comparable to the leading research- vocational training that provides the skills needed based, multi-disciplinary universities in the world. in a rapidly changing world. Today about 76 million Source: January 05, 2012/The Open Press.com Indian of working age are little or not at all qualified, as more and more often for job seekers is www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 18 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION some training required. It is expected that over standards. Measures should be introduced to the next decade the demand for skilled workers ensure that all students can participate in the will grow, which means that young people and lesson (for example the language support to the adults with no specific skills will always have a children of immigrants). harder time getting hired. And even if they find 2) Intervention by: The early warning signs work, is likely to earn less than the most qualified (truancy, insufficient votes, etc.) measures must be colleagues singhania university. enabled mentoring and educational support The new strategy for the training aims to equip customized, strengthening cooperation with current and future employees of the specific skills parents. and knowledge essential in a modern economy, 3) Compensation: Young people who have dropped improving the quality of training and vocational out of school should be able to resume at a later education, encouraging creativity and stage. The "second chance schools" should offer entrepreneurship and facilitating the 'access to smaller classes, teaching methods with a more education at all stages of their career, whether personalized and flexible than traditional schools. academic or professional delhi education. Source: January 04, 2012/Article Base An important objective is to give people less fortunate, less young people with special needs Technology and Education in India and equal access to vocational training. The The era of 21st century is often regarded as an era strategy includes an action plan for the measures of technology. Technology, today, plays a very that national governments and the India will take important role in our life. It is seen as a basis of over the next four years. The objectives include: growth of an economy. An economy which is poor 1. work with businesses to identify skills deficient in technology can never grow in today’s scenario. 2. open more vocational schools This is because technology makes our work much easier and less time consuming. The impact of 3. implement strategies to promote education technology can be felt in every possible field and abroad aspect of our life and one such field is education. 4. raise awareness of the benefits of vocational The education system of India has undergone a training radical change over the past decade. This change 5.to create common Indian standards for has occurred not only through the recruitment of vocational education, applying the well qualified teachers, an improved curriculum and recommendations of last years on the quality find better school campuses, but also through the ways to increase the number of students in introduction of technology in education. The vocational education. knowledge of computers that the students get at The training can also contribute to competitiveness the school level proves to be quite beneficial for and economic growth. Companies will be able to them at a later stage even if they do not select more easily find the staff they need to compete in computers as their subject. Going a step ahead in the global market if they can draw on a workforce bringing technology to the classrooms, these days with a wide range of skills. In addition to schools have even started using i-pads in order to penalizing individuals, the early school leaving make the delivery of education more effective. hinders economic growth and competitiveness. However, many more steps should be taken in The modern and technologically advanced order to bring technology to the classrooms. economies have indeed need of skilled labor, and Communication is a key of grabbing a child’s who leaves the school is more likely to end up attention. Thus, efforts should be made to dependent on welfare benefits, pressuring in this introduce features like the interactive whiteboard or way on state coffers. use 2D and 3D demonstrations, videos and The Indian education system plan to fight the animations in place of textbooks. Due to this, school dropout aims to reduce this to less than children will be, certainly, more interested to learn. 10% by 2020. Urges member countries to develop Also, internet must be made compulsory for the policies that cover the entire course, or remove students of schools and colleges in India as this is the factors contributing to early school leaving, the only medium which allows learning of anything solve new problems at the source and give a at any place and during any time of the day. second chance to young people who would like to In an age of distance education, gone is the time return to school. The plan is based on three axes: when a teacher waited for his student to bring back 1) Prevention: Improving equal access to homework the next day. Rather, all homework, education in early childhood, with high quality assignments, projects and class notes can be www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 19 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION shared between the teacher and the student from both the private and public sector. As in the during any time of the day if both parties are US, students enrolling in universities should be equipped with an internet connection. Moreover, given tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test and technology not only helps in better communication Graduate Record Examination to assess their but also helps to learn hands-on which eventually potential. makes the education more interesting and easy- The government should look at extending more to-grasp. support, tie up with private institutions, offer cheap However, one of the drawbacks of Indian loans to students and lend directly to institutions. Education System is that government has still not The private sector should set up more academic played a major role in bringing technology to the institutions and also offer liberal endowments and schools and higher education institutes. Since scholarships. Universities should look to attract most of the families in India cannot afford a better faculty along with integrating high-end private school, the children of such families usually research into the system. The system of find it difficult to secure a job as their knowledge examination and teaching also needs to be is quite limited about the technological modified extensively. developments. Source: January 06, 2012/Researchonindia In the conclusion, education helps in Foreign Education, A Dream for Indian differentiating one country from another. It is Students education again that makes a citizen global. In a world where borders are breaking down, it is Euro crisis weakened the value of rupee. In a education which will help to classify the best from country like India where a majority of students aim the worst; it is thus time for India to introduce a at studying in abroad were affected the most due more technologically equipped education sector in to the falling rupee. The fall in rupee has raised the costs of foreign educations forcing the students to the future. dig out some alternatives like part-time jobs or Source: January 05, 2012/Worldpress scholarships in order to meet their costs. Quality of higher education in India needs to The value of rupee has depreciated over 18 percent improve in the last year; rupee was at 44.72 in January In India, although more number of students have 2011, and ended at a low of 53.07 at the year end. now started opting for higher education after Although Students feel that this New Year will bring school, the numbers are still insufficient to reap along some merriment for the depreciating rupee. the demographic dividend in full measure. The Nayan Upadhyaya, student who aims at taking up a gross enrollment ratio (GER) in higher education Masters course in International Business said, "The rose to about 17.3% in 2009-10 from 12.5% in way rupee is behaving, I am wondering if I will 2007-08, but is still far below that of other have to shelve my study plans and take up a job. countries, where it is around 45%. A need to The depreciation has already pushed my course fee expand opportunities in higher education largely up by 18 per cent. This is in addition to the living and improve quality at all levels is essential to expenses," reports Business Standard. Upadhyay's sustain economic growth. course will cost him a total of 34.2 lakh and it An increase is logical as income levels rise. It also commences in April 2012. Had it Upadhayay taken supports the National Sample Survey (NSS) data admission in 2011, he would have easily saved that showed a decline in employment in the five- 5.38 lakh. year period ending 2009-10. However, global The soaring cost of study is directly proportional to experience shows that a GER of 20% is the the percentage of rupee depreciation. Students minimum needed to sustain economic growth. abroad have to dig out wallets in order to study Therefore, we need to vastly expand opportunities abroad due to the rising cost of U.S. dollars. The in higher education and improve quality at all situation is that even though a student gets a loan levels. sanctioned for 15 lakh, it would yield only $28,000, India needs to grow a rich talent pool as the size or else it would have yielded over $33,000. The of its working age population is expected to grow pressure generates here, as the students now have until the year 2040 before it starts to decline. to arrange finance to collect almost 20 percent However, only 15% of our graduates are fit to be more money. employed, reflecting the poor quality of primary, Mohit Gundecha, CEO, YourNextLeap.com, a Pune- secondary and higher education. This intensifies based online career and academic counselor, said, the need for reforms in funding and regulation "There are many deserving and worthy candidates

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 20 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION from humble background who apply for higher 100% FDI in higer education and invited foreign studies abroad. For them, arranging the funds is universities and institutions to set up their not an easy task despite their strong academic branches in India. It was expected many foreign records and the availability of over 50 institutions will show their interest in it, which will scholarships. The weak rupee has resulted in benefit foreign as well as Indian students leading to higher cost of financing, and some families have world class research facilites, innovative curriculum indeed seen their savings fall short and their and international exposure. It was also expected dreams of a better future shattered." that this will prevent heavy out flow of Indian Students in India can only get loans through students. Indian banks which ranges between 15-20 lakh. At present Indian education sector is attracting But the falling value of rupee has made the numerous foreign students because of relative amount insufficient for MS aspirants. Students who education cost along with better marketability of are completely dependent on bank loans are degrees in job market. A study by Shahid Amhed working in India at the minimum salary jobs will (Associate professor, Department of Economics, be affected the most. JMI, New Delhi) and Sushil Kuman (Research Scholar, Departmeny of Economics, JMI, New Delhi) A Krishna Kumar, Managing Director (national predicts that average cost of foreign students in banking group), State Bank of India, said that the India is US $4217.93 per annum which include the affect of value depreciation in rupee will not be tuition fee, cost of education, accomodation cost, seen in this year but it will affect the next student travel cost and book reference cost. academic year. Banks will look into the cost economics in March-April this year. However, there are major dangers and drawbacks in education sector which need to be addressed- As Education loan growth slows, Prashant Bhonsle, Country head, Credila Financial Services, an HDFC Most of the faculty members speak Hindi in the venture, said, "Global uncertainty, which has classroom. probably played on the minds of risk managers at Language barrier and delay in opening bank banks, could have led to slow growth in education account are the common difficulties faced by loans. They may now perceive higher risks for foreign students. students, as far as job potential is concerned." Norms and control laid down for Indian education The data released by Reserve Bank of India states institutions if not made applicable or regulated for that the education loans grew only by 17 percent foreign institutions will lead unauthorized in October 2011, when compared to 24 percent in institutions to enter and join hands. October 2010. Universities should be allowed to work on As the business of educational loan is directly reasonable amount of profit but no correlated to educational sector, it is evolving at a commericialization of education should be allowed. faster rate and makes the domain challenging for Finally, it can be inferred that India has potential of bank lenders. M Narendra, Chairman and trade in education services provided, policy makers Managing Director, Indian Overseas Bank, said, work on effective registration and certification "With the rupee depreciating, foreign education system thus, preventing fake institutions to enter would become more expensive, and this might and make effective plans in the light of global reduce the off take of education loans further, as education needs. people may go for higher education in India." Source: January 06, 2012/India Fusion Source: January 06, 2012/SiliconIndia.com Higher Education Abroad Continues to Rank in Higher Education in India India Higher education is the need of the hour for Higher education abroad continues to rank at the developing countries like India. Since 1990′s top of student aspirations. In the first of a series of economic reforms, the number of universities in articles on the subject, we address the academic, India have increased to a tremendous level. In financial and cultural issues that foreign- bound addition, higher education has remained an students have to confront. India’s growing stature important area of five year plans still, the as an educational hub may provide fabulous educated youth here lack behind in contrast to opportunities for foreign universities, but for a West in skills, the reason for this is research based significant number of students in the country the education and quality of education in India which attraction of quality higher education overseas only is not good. getting stronger. Keeping this in mind Indian government proposed

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Figures available with educational consultants to time because of changing visa rules and threat show that nearly two Lakh students apply for perceptions. courses, including short- term and refresher Source: January 06, 2012/E Article programmes, around the world every year. Importance of Distance Education in Indian What accounts for this magnetic pull at a time Higher Education System when leading international universities are inking deals and eyeing closer collaboration with their The Indian education industry is one of the largest counterparts in India? And are students getting in the country with a market-size of 450 million the most out of their investment on overseas students, projecting revenue of $50 million, education? annually. The Indian education sector is projected Students benefit immensely in terms of their to grow by 15% during the period 2011- 2021. personality development, outlook and thinking And, distance education universities as the from an exposure to an academic programme at a education provider for the masses is all set to tap reputed foreign university. International education the potential of student market. indeed is cutting edge because the curriculum is Considering that the major populace of India is updated at regular intervals. young and the rise in distance education degrees, But what really drives students to look abroad for there is a huge potential for growth which is higher education opportunities is the serious inviting foreign investors in this sector. The shortage of quality education in the country. The partnerships of distance education universities with demand for higher education in India is far greater foreign universities will chiefly target the higher than the number of institutions imparting it. This education segment, to offer advanced programs, forces students to look for other avenues and special skills training and sorts. Additionally, the studying abroad is one of the top choices. focus is on evolving through innovative teaching methods to improve the quality of distance Business Studies, IT, Biotechnology and education universities and online education. Engineering continue to be the most sought after programmes, and the majority of Indian students There has been a series of progressive who enroll for these programmes prefer to work developments to promote foreign investments in abroad before returning home. How North Indian the sector and the passing of the Foreign Education students gravitate more towards Business Studies Bill in 2010 has bolstered the initiatives in this and IT, but their compatriots from the south opt direction. At present, there is a long line of tie-ups for science and engineering courses. with foreign universities. To name a few, there is the MoU between Australia's Deakin University with Only a small percentage of students return to St. Xavier's and KC College; the age-old India immediately after finishing their studies collaboration between Rhode-island based Brown because they wish to gain international exposure University and St. Stephen's College in Delhi and and experience to enhance their employability. many more. The Foreign education bill is a Only 10-15 per cent of the students return to India welcome move for foreign universities who are because of family obligations. The majority gets a eager to provide education in India, which in turn job in Canada itself. But this story is without its will give Indian students the option of pursuing warts and bumps. world-class programs, inland rather than going One of the major hurdles students face in their abroad for the same. Columbia University proposes quest for an overseas education is demonstrating to set up a center in New Delhi for its faculty and their financial resources. students to take up research in India. Similarly, India have a thriving parallel economy that hinges Harvard business school is focused on setting up on undeclared money, so a large number of campus in India to conduct its executive education students find it difficult to furnish details of programs. Other universities keen on an Indian- necessary financial support. base are the Yale University, Massachusetts This leads them to take to fraudulent means, institute of technology and the University of which can close their doors to overseas education Boston. forever. Once finances are taken care of, students In a globalized economy, projecting a dynamic make a beeline for the five English speaking industrial scenario, opening up the windows for countries that top their list of higher education foreign collaborations will help the Indian education destinations — US, UK, New Zealand, Australia system and therefore the distance education and Canada — though the number of them universities to achieve global standards in quality actually going to these countries varies from time and spell affordability for executive programs. Leading the current series of key global www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 22 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION partnerships, UGC and DEC recognized Sikkim equipments should be implemented on priority,” it Manipal University Distance Education has signed said. a MoU with Scotland-based Edinburgh Napier All service providers who set up a digital University. The partnership will help distance MBA addressable distribution network before the sunset students from SMUDE to pursue an MBA from the date(s) are to be treated as infrastructure service Scottish university at a price equal to only one providers similar to telecom services and should be semester fee. This apart, the university has taken eligible for benefits under section 80-IA and forward many initiatives through its technology Section 72A of the Income Tax Act, it said. platform to ensure all-round learning for its It further suggested that Prasar Bharati should students. Going beyond academics, the university undertake a comprehensive programme audit of has integrated other forms of training in its wide Doordarshan and AIR and devise new programme spectrum of PG, UG and diploma courses. manuals for DD and AIR. Additionally, SMUDE has leveraged on technology in the best way to make its students job-ready in “Prasar Bharati should take urgent steps to the global arena. improve the content being telecast by DD/AIR. A Source: January 08, 2012/EzineArticla public-private-partnership model should be explored for improving programming and services,” Planning Commission panel proposes council it said. to regulate media education The group also suggested that Prasar Bharati A Planning Commission-appointed group has should utilise new media technologies for delivering pitched for a Media Council, along the lines of the its programmes and channels. AICTE, for regulating electronic media education. Source: January 08, 2012/First Post “The government should set up a Media Council of Overseas Indians discuss higher education, India on the lines of the All-India Council of FDI in retail Technical Education (AICTE) for electronic media to govern media education and research in the The Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians country,” said the Working Group on Broadcasting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister in its recommendations to the Planning Manmohan Singh met here today during which its Commission for the Twelfth Five-Year Plan. members discussed matters concerning higher AICTE is a statutory body established to plan, education, FDI in retail and other governance coordinate and regulate technical education in the issues. country. The third meeting of the council, which met at the Furthermore, it suggested that all the benefits and Raj Bhawan here, also discussed ways and means incentives that are available to the infrastructure on how India can take a more proactive role in the industry should be extended to the broadcasting, discourse on globalisation. cable and DTH sectors, “including availability of With slowdown in the USA and Europe, Singh said finance at concessional rate of interest to give a the growth centers may have to shift to the Asia- boost to the digitisation process in the country”. Pacific. A Planning Commission-appointed group has "He (PM) was confident that despite many pitched for a Media Council, along the lines of the constraints India would return to a sustained high AICTE, for regulating electronic media education. annual growth path of 9-10 per cent in the medium AFP term. The group also said the government should "Prime Minister further assured that the address various regulatory issues for ensuring government would reflect on all the suggestions growth and development of the broadcasting and made by the Council members, and engage content distribution sector. proactively on all of them," a PMO release said. The report further called for timely completion of Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, Rural the digitisation of AIR, Doordarshan and the cable Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, Planning sector. Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh “To ensure that digitisation with addressability is Ahluwalia and Minister of State for External Affairs implemented in the broadcasting sector as per the E Ahamed also attended the meeting. timetable defined by the ministry, the fiscal Eminent Overseas Indians like industrialist L N incentives such as income tax holiday, zero custom Mittal, Sam Pitroda, Lord Karan F Bilimoria, duty on all digital head-end and networking Swadesh Chatterjee, Ela Gandhi, Lord Khalid

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 23 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Hameed, Renu Khator, Kishore Mahbubani and Khator suggested ways to increase the gross Lord Bhikhu Chotalal Parekh were among those enrolments ratio (GER) in India. "GER can be who attended the meeting. accelerated by introducing some changes in the The members of the council unanimously thanked structure of the education system. It should be the Prime Minister for convening the third meeting made more flexible and accessible to age groups," of the council in Jaipur and for allowing free she said. exchange of views on matters concerning overseas The US-based academic also said it (increase in Indians, the release said. GER) cannot be achieved unless private players The members appreciated that many of the contribute. She asked the corporate within India suggestions made previously by them had been and NRIs to contribute by granting scholarships to implemented, for example, merging of OCI students in their region, city or village to have (Overseas Citizenship of India) and PIO (Peoples equal opportunities for all. "The NRIs or private of Indian Origin) cards and facilitating voting players should financially and academically rights for Non-Resident Indians while certain other strengthen state universities which are committed issues were under implementation. for inclusive education," Khator said. Source: January 08, 2012/Economic Times She cautioned students on every second Indian universities' claim of tie-ups with universities based Foreign universities can play an important in the US or the UK. "Sometimes the collaboration role in India's higher education was not all substantive and merely on papers. Houston University, Texas, USA, is looking for Students should conduct their complete research more collaborations with eligible Indian before enrolling in universities here and abroad," universities to improve the higher education Khator added. scenario in the country and invited educational Source: January 08, 2012/Times of India institutes in Rajasthan for tie-ups. Overseas Indians discuss higher education, This was stated by Renu Khator, president and FDI in retail chancellor of Houston University during an The Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians exclusive to TOI during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas under the chairmanship of Prime Minister here on Saturday. Manmohan Singh met here today during which its "The need of the hour is to provide globalised members discussed matters concerning higher education to Indian youths. It will expose them to education, FDI in retail and other governance different education systems making them issues. adaptable and employable to work in different countries," she said. The third meeting of the council, which met at the Raj Bhawan here, also discussed ways and means Khator informed that Houston University has 20 on how India can take a more proactive role in the tie-ups with reputed Indian institutes at different discourse on globalisation. levels. "Our tie-ups with IITs and Delhi University With slowdown in the USA and Europe, Singh said among others are always a win-win situation for the growth centers may have to shift to the Asia- both the countries. It has always helped both the Pacific. nations in research work besides it making knowledge global," she said. "He (PM) was confident that despite many constraints India would return to a sustained high She was in the city to attend a jam packed annual growth path of 9-10 per cent in the medium interactive session on 'Global Indian - Inclusive term. Growth' at the Maharana Pratap Auditorium on the first day of three-day pravasi meet. "Prime Minister further assured that the government would reflect on all the suggestions On tie-ups with institutes from the state, Khator made by the Council members, and engage said, "It will be great if we have academic joint proactively on all of them," a PMO release said. ventures in the desert state." Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, Rural She further said, "Foreign universities can play a Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, Planning bigger role in India's higher education by opening their campuses, promoting online education, Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh research partnerships and individual and joint Ahluwalia and Minister of State for External Affairs degree partnerships." E Ahamed also attended the meeting. Being a strong observer of developments in the Eminent Overseas Indians like industrialist L N education sector across the globe especially India, Mittal, Sam Pitroda, Lord Karan F Bilimoria, www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 24 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Swadesh Chatterjee, Ela Gandhi, Lord Khalid Indian community, Prof Sachchidanand Sahai Hameed, Renu Khator, Kishore Mahbubani and (Cambodia) for his scholarly work, Indo – Canada Lord Bhikhu Chotalal Parekh were among those Chamber of Commerce (Canada) for its role in who attended the meeting. fostering relation between India and Canada, Mr The members of the council unanimously thanked Deepak Naraindas Shivdasani (Cote D'Ivoire) for the Prime Minister for convening the third meeting his services to the Indian community and of the council in Jaipur and for allowing free promoting India in Africa, Dr Victor Shahed exchange of views on matters concerning overseas Smetacek (Germany) for his outstanding Indians, the release said. contributions in the field of science, Mr Sri Prakash Lohia (Indonesia) for enhancing the Indian The members appreciated that many of the community's prestige abroad, Mr Jose Parayanken suggestions made previously by them had been (Mozambique) for furthering the Indian implemented, for example, merging of OCI community's interests abroad through his activities, (Overseas Citizenship of India) and PIO (Peoples Mr Kiran Navinchandra Aher (Oman) for his of Indian Origin) cards and facilitating voting outstanding contribution to the Indian community rights for Non-Resident Indians while certain other abroad, Mr Hassan Abdulkarim Chougule (Qatar) issues were under implementation. for his contributions towards the welfare of the Source: January 08, 2012/ Economic Times Indian community abroad, Dr Khorshed Noshir President outlines the priorities of the 12th Ginwala-Rustomjee (South Africa) for her Plan at PBD: Health, education and skill outstanding contributions to the local community development and public service, Mr Rajesh Kumar Saraiya (Ukraine) for his contributions in the field of Health, education and skill development are key business and for outstanding community service, priorities in the strategy of inclusive development Prof Surendra Kumar Kaushik (USA) for his and constitute the focus areas in the 12th Plan contributions in the field of economics and for said Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of enhancing the Indian community's stature abroad, India in her Valedictory speech at the 10th Pravasi and Dr Kalpalatha Kummamuri Guntupalli (USA) for Bharatiya Divas (PBD) organized jointly by Ministry her contributions in the field of medicine and for of Overseas India Affairs (Government of India), outstanding public service. Also awarded was H E Government of Rajasthan and Confederation of Mr S R Nathan, Former President, Singapore, for Indian Industry (CII) in Jaipur. She said that his outstanding contributions in the field of public Government will spend adequate resources to service, in abstentia. ensure maximum efficiency in outcomes in these H E Ms Kamla Persad Bissessar, Prime Minister, identified focus areas. Trinidad & Tobago & Chief Guest at the 10th Pravasi President complimented the determination and will Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2012 said that the only power of the overseas Indians along with their passport out of poverty to a better life is Education, never giving up attitude. She said that the which is a priority amongst Indians. She added that footprints of the Indian diaspora are widespread. the Indian values help the diaspora during the good Overseas Indian community is becoming influential and not so good times. in the economic and political fields in their Complementing India, she said that India has countries of residence, and can play a key role become truly global. The cultural and economic taking forward India's interests. power house that India is today, impacts lives of "We must continue to promote greater exchanges people beyond its borders. She concluded by urging between the youth as an important aspect of the young diaspora to participate in the PBD with forging linkages and maintaining the tradition of enthusiasm. close bonds" emphasized the President. Further Referring to the chosen theme, "Global Indians - President reiterated the Government's resolve to Inclusive Growth", Mr Vayalar Ravi, Minister of strengthen the engagement with the overseas Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India said Indians in nation building. diaspora can play a very constructive role in the President also gave away the Pravasi Bharatiya inclusive growth agenda of the Government. Samman Awards to – H E Ms Kamla Persad Knowledge, philanthropy and entrepreneurship, by Bissessar (Prime Minister, Trinidad & Tobago) for the diaspora can facilitate inclusivity, he added. her outstanding contribution in public service and In his welcome address, Mr Parvez Dewan, fostering closer relations between India and Secretary, Ministry of Overseas India Affairs said Trinidad & Tobago, Mr P V Radhakrishna Pillai that the Ministry will continue to support and (Bahrain) for his outstanding contribution to the engage with the diaspora. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 25 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII said The telephone number for the Grants.gov Helpdesk that the overseas Indians are brand ambassadors is 1-800-518-4726 or e-mail: [email protected]. of India and bridge to the outside the world. CII Source: January 09, 2012/Top Government grants has been at the forefront of engaging with the vast diaspora across the world. He said that PBD 2012 India's demographic dividend: Time to act was the most successful edition of the PBD As Australia and many other nations face a greying attended by 2,014 delegates from 60 countries. demographic profile, the youth segment of India's Dr Kalpalatha Kummamuri Guntupalli, Pravasi population is increasing rapidly and is projected to Bharatiya Samman Awardee in her acceptance do so for the next 30 years. As a result, India's speech said that the awardees are very grateful to workforce is set to grow dramatically, with one the President and Government of India for the million people entering the labour market every honour. We left India but India never left us, she month. said. Provided India acts quickly, this demographic Also present at the Valedictory Session were H E dividend could introduce new dynamism into its Mr Shivraj V Patil, Governor, Rajasthan, Mr Ashok economy. Failure will instead spell demographic Gehlot, Chief Minister, Government of Rajasthan, disaster. Mr Mahadeo Singh Khandela, Minister of State for India's ability to reap the rewards of this huge Tribal Affairs, Government of India and Mr demographic advantage is far from guaranteed. Devisingh Shekhawat. The key to transforming the demographic dividend Source: January 09, 2012/ India Education Diary into economic growth lies not only in having more people, but having greater numbers of better Indian Education Formula Grants Program trained, healthier and more productive people. As The United States Department of Education has noted by India's Minister of Human Resource recently announced a funding opportunity in the Development, 'it will be a dividend if we empower amount of $104,331,000 to support the Indian our young. It will be a disaster if we fail to put in Education Formula Grants Program to Local place a policy and framework where they can be Educational Agencies. empowered'. Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis India still has a long way to go, as this UNICEF of information in the Federal Register application summary portrays. Its literacy rate sits at around notice. 63%, and while 83% of children attend primary For specific information about eligibility, please see school, India's tertiary education rate is far lower at the official application notice. only 13%. By comparison, China's tertiary education rate stands at 23%, and the US at 63%. The official version of this document is the While female literacy rates are on the rise and document published in the Federal Register. significantly outpacing growth in male literacy, Free Internet access to the official edition of the there is still a considerable deficit, with 65% of Federal Register and the Code of Federal women and 82% of men literate in 2011. Regulations is available on GPO Access at: Statistics aside, the quality of India's higher http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. education system is lacking in global Purpose of Program: The Indian Education Formula competitiveness, with only one Indian university Grants to Local Educational Agencies program rating among Asia's best, according to the 2011- provides grants to support local educational 2012 Times Higher Education Ranking. agencies (LEAs) and other eligible entities described in this notice in their efforts to reform India's 2009 Right of Children to Free and and improve elementary and secondary school Compulsory Education Act is a big step towards programs that serve Indian students. guaranteeing a basic education for every child, despite concerns over its implementation. However, The Department funds comprehensive programs education alone will not be enough – India needs to that address the language andcultural needs of create employment for its swiftly growing labour Indian students, including professional force. It has been estimated that in order to development for teachers of Indian students, and accommodate the 100 million workers that will join that are designed to help Indian students meet the India's workforce between 2015 and 2050, roughly same State academic content and student 250 million jobs must be created to achieve full academic achievement standards used for all employment. students. At a more basic level, India must work at improving the overall health and wellbeing of its children in www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 26 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION order to make the most of their immense In a message during the release of a special issue potential. Rajat M Nag of the Asian Development on Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas by the HRD Ministry, he Bank estimates that 37% of India's population lives focused on areas such as skill development, below the poverty line, and India is home to one- networking of institutions, devising and financing of third of the world's poor. At 69 deaths per 1000 advanced research etc where such collaborations live births, India's under-five mortality rate is high, can be executed. and 47% of children under five are malnourished. The special issue covers bilateral events such as The World Bank notes a direct link between the Indo-US Summit, the India-UK Education undernourishment and impaired cognitive Forum and also highlights new developments within development, and this may have dire implications the Ministry, UGC, AICTE with regards for India's future productivity and development. schemes/programmes specific to NRIs. With a Human Development Indicators ranking of Source: January 11, 2012/Economic Times 134 out of 187 countries, India must focus on Foreign students get a taste of Indian developing the potential of its enormous human education at IGNOU capital, which will in turn translate into favourable economic outcomes. A group of 37 students from 11 countries visited India's demographic dividend is expected to level the Indira Gandhi National Open University off through 2040, so in order to capitalise on its (IGNOU) to acquaint themselves with the education favourable demography India must act now. In system here, officials said Friday. particular, India must quickly and massively invest Wards of non-resident Indians, the group visited in its public education system, with a focus on the varsity under the "Know India Programme" by improving the skills of its burgeoning population the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA). through vocational education. India's plan to raise "These youth are the children of Indians settled its higher education participation rate to 15% by abroad and are visiting different educational 2015 is still far below what is necessary, and institutions in India. The basic idea is to expose concerted and long-term planning is required to them to diversity of our country," said under ensure that India transforms its growing workforce secretary, MOIA, M.K. Pandey. into an inclusive and sustainable economic According to an IGNOU official, the group showed a advantage. lot of interest in the programmes offered by the All of this presents major opportunities for a varsity and also had an interactive session with the nation like Australia. Provided Canberra can fix the Vice Chancellor, M. Aslam. policy and perception problems surrounding the "They were particularly interested to know about 2009-2010 crises about the treatment of Indian the prospects of placement, admission procedure students, Australia has every prospect of and academic programmes being offered by IGNOU becoming a serious partner in helping India realise internationally," said Aslam. the benefits of its youthful population. "We are operating in 43 countries across the world Source: January 10, 2012/ Lowyinterpreter through 82 partner institutions and student Kapil Sibal seeks NRI's help for innovative strength of 44,000. IGNOU will reach learners educational system wherever they are and this is what we call 'Education at your Doorstep'," added Aslam. HRD Minister Kapil Sibal today said the Source: January 13, 2012/Deccan Herald government's vision is to build an "innovative" educational system to help the youth develop UGC mulls major hike in MPhil, PhD critical thinking and analytical power and sought fellowships the diaspora's cooperation in achieving the goal. Officiating chairman of University Grants "Our vision is to build a truly innovative Commission (UGC) Ved Prakash on Saturday said educational system for our youth to acquire skills the commission is contemplating a substantial in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem increase in numbers as well as amount of solving, communications and to develop people fellowships at the MPhil/PhD levels to ensure more who have ambition and self confidence. and more young talent is attracted to teaching in To make this a reality, our educational system higher education. offers tremendous opportunities for collaboration "The issue of demand-supply gap for good teachers and cooperation to our diaspora," he said. in higher education institutions cannot be overcome overnight, but it will gradually stabilise," Prakash

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 27 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION told TOI on the sidelines of the 13th convocation education. If you give them the chance, new ideas of the Bharati Vidyapeeth here on Saturday. will emerge from their minds." Prakash said, "The situation is changing as the Source: January 15, 2012/Times of India number of students appearing for the National Eligibility Test (NET) has gone up from 70,000, a ANALYSIS/OPINION/INNOVATIVE PRACTICE few years ago, to nearly 2.5 lakh now." The NET is the qualifying exam for appointment as teacher at 5 Predictions for Higher Ed Technology in universities and colleges recognised by the UGC. 2012 "The success rate in the NET too has gone up, The flurry of late 2011 news has certainly made which shows that a greater number of students making predictions about technology and higher are getting attracted to a career in teaching. This education fun. also provides a ray of hope, but we need to consolidate on the changing situation by The announcement about MITx -- MIT's plans to increasing our fellowships, both in terms of offer certification ("for a modest fee") for open numbers and amount, at the MPhil/PhD levels and courseware -- was the year's final shot across the make our scholarships more effective," said bow of higher education. Beware, it seemed to Prakash. indicate: things are changing. No doubt, 2011 was a year of shrinking government funding for On the quantum of hike in the fellowship grant education, rising student debt, rising under consideration, Prakash said, "We have asked unemployment among college grads (gasp! people the universities to give us two different scenarios questioned the value of a college diploma!) and of what could be the situation in the event of a growing private sector investment in education three-fold or a five-fold increase from present companies. 2012 will likely bring more of the same. level." As such it's both easy and difficult to make "Depending on these scenarios and the resources predictions. "There will be more integration of we will receive from the Planning Commission technology into the classroom" is an easy one. under the 12th Five Year Plan, we will put to effect "This will be fraught with privacy and security and the fellowship and scholarship plan," Prakash said pedagogical concerns" is another. But in many adding "the whole idea is to ensure that students, ways, we've had these same sorts of conversations who think of teaching career, do not go elsewhere. about education technology for years now. Will Prakash sounded optimistic about the UGC getting things be different in 2012? If so, why? (If not, why a lot of money under the 12th plan. not?) "The (Union) government has committed I do think we're at a point where we could see enormous resources and created a huge network great change in education -- at universities as well of higher education institutions under the 11th as at the K-12 level. Those are driven by Five Year Plan. This includes new IITs, IIMs, NITs, technology, true, but also myriad other economic IIITs, central universities, 374 model colleges in factors. The predictions I have to make about economically backward districts of the country, higher education for 2012 occur at that 1,000 polytechnics, a school of planning and intersection: new technologies, new economies, architecture and the Indian Institutes of Science new business models … and the fallout therewith. Education and Research, among others," said Prakash. Accreditation: As I noted, MIT's announcement about a credentialing program for an online class The emphasis, as such, under the 12th plan will be was a significant one. It comes on the heels of on excellence coupled with equality; access; Stanford's successful online engineering courses quality; and upgradation of infrastructure, he said. this fall. Both offer informal learners the "There is no point in delivering sub-standard opportunity for "credit" -- or at least a form letter education after creating a huge network of from a professor or program. Alongside these institutions," he added. developments come Mozilla's Open Badges project, "Our (UGC) goal is to see that each district an alternative model for recognizing skills and becomes an education development hub by have mastery that comes with an open source, open at least one excellent college, which will be trend- technology infrastructure. Add to that, the ability setting in terms of infrastructure and allied now for people to create their own online portfolios, support system." where they can demonstrate what they do, what Prakash said, "Quality cannot be seen in isolation. they do -- with or without the blessing of a college It will come from the large pool of talent from diploma. What will "count" in 2012 as "higher those sections, who are denied access to higher education"? www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 28 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Peer to Peer: "Social learning" is nothing new. to suit their needs for note-taking and sharing. But Social networking and social media have openly licensed content doesn't just mean the highlighted its potential, however (ah, such is the materials that professors assign and students read. power of the "social" adjective), particularly when How will the inhabitants of academia (professors it comes to online learning opportunities. Much and students) license and share their own work? emphasis has been put into getting educational Will we see more open content in 2012? Or will content online. But I think learners are going to academic retreat to its tower? demand more than just "content." They want Source: January 01, 2012/Inside Higher education community. They want fellow learners that they World-class in pockets can chat and work and interact and compare themselves with. What is the universe made up of? How did it begin Robot Grader / Adaptive Learning: The and how will it end? What are the smallest constituents of matter and how do they interact investments late last year in Knewton and Grockit with one another to produce the world around us? were an indication of big things to come in 2012 Theoretical physicists are engaged in a quest to for adaptive learning. It's the promise of big data discover the answers to these questions, many of and machine learning -- that the millions of which are as old as humanity itself. In this great students that are taking computerized courses endeavour, what is India’s contribution? that get their lessons gauged to their skill-level. It's the promise of a personalized education, so It is substantial. My own area of research is string the story goes. WIth the interest in these sorts of theory, a theoretical framework for quantum algorithmic answers to grading and content theories of gravity that hopes to address the delivery, there'll be a lot of efforts this year to questions formulated above. The hundred or so refine these approaches to instruction and Indian string theorists — professors, PhD students remediation. The online Artificial Intelligence and post-doctoral fellows — belong to a two- to classes at MITx and Stanford will be at the three- thousand-member global string theory forefront of new tools for assessment -- the first community. robot grader Some of the string theory research carried out at institutes such as Mumbai’s Tata Institute of Labor Issues: Oh wait, were you (are you) a Fundamental Research (TIFR) and Allahabad’s grader? Did you get a small stipend as a TA or Harish-Chandra Research Institute (HRI) is graduate student to grade papers and exams? outstanding, and has shaped the development of Feeling replaced by artificial intelligence, by a the field in certain areas. Although Indian research system that can scan student homework and output in string theory is not comparable with the autocorrect it? Ouch. If so, I'm sorry. Honestly, I contributions of the US or the European Union, in don't want to color academics here as a group of my opinion, India has contributed more to the Luddites, fearing their replacement by industrial field’s development over the past five years than systems. I think it's important to ask: how does Japan or any single European country, and is technology change "the work," the labor of certainly in a different league from any other teaching -- that includes teaching online, developing country, including China. maintaining online forums for student engagement, being available/accessible to India hosts research groups working in most other students online (i.e. 24/7) versus offline, etc. etc. important areas of theoretical physics and other I think we'll see a lot more upheaval around this sciences, and Indian scientists continuously make topic in 2012, particularly in a tough economy, in important contributions in several of these areas. an institution increasingly reliant on adjuncts and So from one point of view, the theoretical sciences robots. are doing rather well in India; we outperform other developing countries in many areas and contribute OER: The quantity and the quality and the at a higher level than some developed countries. momentum put open educational resources in a However, there is another way of viewing our track strong position for 2012. One area in particular to record. India has more than four times as many watch is how the publishing industry responds. people as the US and so should be producing that After all, the textbook as we know it seems much more output. We are certainly not there yet. particularly vulnerable to the disassembling that OER can provide. Students are already angry What can we do to achieve our full potential? about textbook costs, and I don't believe we'll find Historically, Indian scientific research has been them too loyal to the printed textbook. But the inhibited by low funding, but in the past decade, at alternative has to be cheaper and "better." It has least at the top institutes, funding has improved dramatically. It is substantial, hassle-free and www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 29 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION remarkably steady. As funding and work conditions full potential only once every school and college improve, India is increasingly attracting talent becomes an institution of excellence. This sounds from abroad. like a goal worth moving towards in 2012. The main bottleneck for the growth of scientific Source: January 01, 2012/Hindustan Times research lies in the availability of exceptional In India, a college building boom young people. In interviews for prospective PhD students at TIFR, the admissions committee On the outskirts of this sprawling city in one of usually finds that almost all students with the India’s poorest states, the whitewashed columns ability and training needed to embark on a career and domes of Chanakya National Law University in research come from the IITs or a handful of rise next to a deep and murky swamp. To get exceptional institutes. The vast majority does not there, visitors bump along potholed streets lined receive an education good enough for research. with idle men sipping tea and cows rooting through The problem starts with the abysmal level of our piles of garbage. primary and secondary education. Let us suppose Despite its inauspicious location, the 4-year-old that one-fifth of all six-year-olds who join school university has high aspirations. emerge with a good education. Let us assume that “We’re in a position to be a leading national law one-fifth of these students emerge from college school,” said Ravi Sarma, an assistant professor of with a good education. In this scenario, only one property law, who moved to Bihar from a nearby Indian child out of 25 emerges from the education state to teach at Chanakya. system with a chance of contributing to research The university, which offers undergraduate and in the basic sciences. graduate degrees, is part of an ambitious plan to In other words, Indian research has to choose expand higher education to India’s most destitute from just 50 million rather than 1.2 billion people, corners, where the country’s vast population of perhaps explaining why it compares poorly with young people is concentrated. that of the US. Of 1.2 billion Indians, one third is under the age of But there is good news. The department of science 14. In Bihar, 1.7 million children under the age of and technology’s INSPIRE programme aims to six were added to the population over the past identify lakhs of highly talented secondary school decade, a 10 percent increase. (In contrast, less students and give them Rs 5,000 to encourage than a quarter of the U.S. population is under the them to study the basic sciences. The department age of 18, according to the 2010 census.) Realizing also awards 10,000 INSPIRE scholarships, worth that the country’s youth bulge could be an asset in Rs 80,000 a year, to exceptional college students its efforts to become a world power, or a disaster who choose to study the basic sciences. In that drains its resources and fuels social unrest, the tandem, six new Indian Institutes for Science Indian government has responded with an Education and Research in Pune, Kolkata, Bhopal, ambitious university building spree. Mohali, Trivandrum and Bhubaneshwar are being The effort could help India in its economic set up along the lines of the IITs, with the aim of competition with China and the United States. giving students a top-notch education in the basic While the United States may have enough post- sciences; their students automatically qualify for secondary institutions, the Obama administration the INSPIRE scholarship. The Indian Institute of has warned that the country’s higher education Science in Bangalore, one of India’s premier system is falling behind. Poor graduation rates research universities, has recently started an plague the lower-tier schools that educate the vast excellent undergraduate programme. The majority of students, even as budget cuts and government has also embarked on an ambitious rising tuition are making it more difficult for programme to identify a few universities as institutes of excellence and upgrade their American students to enter college and graduate. infrastructure and funding. Finally, the Tata Lessons From Abroad Institute of Fundamental Research is setting up a This story is part of The Hechinger Report’s ongoing major campus in Hyderabad, at which it hopes to series on what the U.S. can learn from higher train hundreds of PhD students every year. These education in other countries. initiatives could substantially increase the pool of Read the rest of the series and keep up on ongoing bright young people available to Indian science news on our blog. and qualitatively enhance research output over the coming decades. For the long term, however, none Dozens of new public universities are opening in of this is enough. Scientific research in India — India’s cities and towns, and officials say 374 new like so much else in our country — can reach its “model” colleges, meant as demonstration projects, www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 30 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION will be constructed in more remote areas. The plan For some poor students in Bihar, the universities is to increase the enrollment rate for 18- to 23- are turning farfetched dreams of higher education year-olds in postsecondary education from an into reality. estimated 18 percent now to 30 percent by 2017, Abhishek Ujjwal, 18, grew up in a small village in said Ved Prakash, chairman of India’s University Bihar where most people worked on farms and the Grants Commission. The enrollment rate for 18- to roads out of town were unpaved. His father has a 24-year-olds in the United States is 41 percent. small business selling the milk of local cows and his “It has never happened in the history of India, this mother is a housewife. Neither went to college. But massive expansion of higher education,” Prakash in middle school, Ujjwal decided he would aim for said. admission to an IIT. In 2009, the Indian government estimated that “It’s a very global brand,” he said. “You can go 13.6 million students were enrolled in post- anywhere.” secondary schools, compared to 19.5 million in the A tutoring program for the poor called Super 30 U.S. If India reaches its goals, 40 million students helped him prepare for the entrance exam. This will be enrolled in higher education by 2020, summer, he qualified for IIT Bombay, a branch surging past the 22 million American students opened in 1961 with a stronger reputation than the expected to be enrolled by then. one in Patna. The construction boom is transforming Patna, a Ujjwal enrolled in IIT Patna instead, because he city of nearly 5.8 million people long written off as wanted to be near his family as he embarked on a poverty-stricken backwater, into a college town, the intensive coursework. “They gave me moral and the state of Bihar, which borders Nepal, into a support,” he said. hub of higher education. Bihar’s population is The founder of Super 30, Anand Kumar, said that slightly less than Mexico’s, and more than that of for many in Bihar, the universities remain out of the Philippines. reach. One-room schoolhouses lacking basic The government is doubling the number of its amenities like toilets are often the only options for renowned and selective Indian Institutes of children in slums and villages, even though the Technology to 16. IIT Patna opened in 2008 and is government is investing in elementary and waiting to expand into a 500-acre campus in a secondary education. Many drop out as early as nearby village. age 10. A National Institute of Fashion Technology opened “With more and more institutions coming up, they downtown in the same year, and in 2006, a state will certainly increase access,” Kumar said. “For the technical college opened an expansive new poor students, however, it is tough as always to campus near the city’s airport. make the most of these opportunities.” A laborer loads bricks for a new building at Besides increasing access for poor students, the Chanakya National Law University in Patna, the new universities have another aim: keeping Indian capital city of Bihar, India's poorest state. It's students at home. More than 100,000 Indians now unclear whether Bihar's poorest residents will choose to study abroad, including more than benefit from the university building boom. (Photo 80,000 in the United States. by Sarah Garland) Ravi Prakash, 22, a middle-class Patna native, The Central University of Bihar, one of 15 new might have chosen to study in Delhi or abroad. government-sponsored universities that aims to Instead, he opted for the Chanakya law school. compete with the global elite, opened in 2009 and “Law is a means to bring social change, and I’m has been allocated 1,000 acres on the edge of the interested in developing my state,” he said. city. Administrators plan to grow enrollment over His classmate, Sanchay Srivastava, feels the next decade from 200 students now to as differently. If he had been accepted at a more many as 40,000. established school outside of Bihar, he would have Sixty miles south of Patna, down a two-lane left. “New Delhi is the place where the person can highway clogged with rickshaws, motorcycles and progress and have opportunities. In Patna, the idling trucks, plans are under way to open Nalanda opportunities are less,” he said, reflecting an International University. The campus will be opinion expressed by many students in Bihar. located near the ruins of a Buddhist university The Indian government hopes the new universities that, in the fifth century A.D., drew students from will fuel job development in poor regions and that around the world. The hope is that the new school gradually these perceptions will change. will do the same.

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Even if Bihar becomes known as a center of higher For this reason therefore, this paper sets out to learning, officials acknowledge that the rapid highlight the role of technical education in reducing expansion of public institutions will not come close the vulnerability to human trafficking. For the to meeting growing demand for post-secondary purpose of this paper, technical education can be schooling in India. referred to as skilled knowledge in practical Privately run colleges and universities offering subjects. distance education are filling the gap, and often To this end therefore, this paper adopts the their offerings are of lower quality, said Devesh definition of human trafficking as per the UN Kapur, a political scientist at the University of trafficking protocol of 2000, which states, human Pennsylvania. Corruption and nepotism are also trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, rife in the post-secondary system. transfer, harbouring, or receipt of persons, by “Hardly anything done is for the median institution means of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose that the average guy goes to,” Kapur said. of exploitation such as enslavement, debt bondage, forced Labour or the removal of organs. The main India also faces a faculty shortage as educated reason to human trafficking from the above Indians opt for better-paying jobs in the private definition is for the purpose of forced labour, sexual sector or teaching opportunities abroad, and it’s exploitation and demand for human organs. This unclear where the country will find professors to makes human trafficking inhuman activity. fill its new schools. VULNERABILITY EXPLAINED Pawan Agarwal, an adviser to the federal government’s planning commission on higher Poor people especially women and children suffer education, said that in 2012 the Indian from various forms of social and economic government will start to shift its attention “from deprivation including hunger and malnutrition. rapid expansion to quality expansion,” although he Inadequate health care, limited access to education acknowledges that solutions will be elusive. and low self esteem. Poverty therefore exposes many people to the risks of being trafficked. In this India’s new institutions are fulfilling one mission case, women and children who come from poverty already, however: raising the expectations of a stricken areas. new generation of Indians. The other group that can be referred as vulnerable “All the Biharis, now they are dreaming that I will include the young unemployed people. Without any go for this institution,” said Ujjwal, the IIT student. productive usage of their time, this group is easily “We are imagining what we could be.” entrained into crime and violence, it is the group Source: January 02, 2012/Hechinger report that is highly predisposed to human a According to The Role of Technical and Vocational catholic relief service(CRS) blog, Education in Mitigating Against Human “economic factors driving the increase and Trafficking expansion of human trafficking include not only it self but also lack of employment options, increase Human trafficking an insult in the modern world, economic disparities and rapid and economic but a reality that must be addressed by the right decline in some countries”. minded people. Reports on human trafficking keep flowing through the media centers. One may ask Technical education tries to address these two main what went wrong for human being to turn against areas (poverty and unemployment). In order to its own species. Statistics on this vice is shocking explain this, this papers explores the environment yet very little is being done to curve the vice. in which TVET (technical, vocational and education Pessimisms one may term this, reason being, the training); the main institutions involved in offering whole world today is united to fight the vice. My these technical skills, operate. question to the reader of this document: how true THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TVET OPERATE IN is this? AFRCA. A statement in one of the Kenyan daily news 1. Weak national economies characterized by low papers states, “it operates as well guarded trade job growth, and a growing labour force. Though with coded language and hideous deals (wanja, human trafficking is a global tragedy, it is 2011 daily nation).” Meaning that, those involved important to note the highly affected countries are have perfected the ‘game’ on human trafficking, those of Latin America, Africa and Asia that share and therefore to win the game, the other player this main characteristic. (the victims) must as well be in a position to the 2. Shrinking or stagnant wage employment game. opportunities. It is important to note that there has

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 32 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION been a tendency for young people especially in sani8tation system maintenance, domestic Africa to look upon the so called white collar jobs. plumbing works, basic ICT skills, handcrafts, and Unfortunately with the high late of population not tradition skills, etc. only in Africa but the whole world these CONCLUSION opportunities keep on shrinking every single day. The ultimate aim technical education is 3. Huge numbers of poorly educated, unskilled and employment. This means it has to be linked with unemployed youth. Closely related to this is, job market and therefore enhance its social 4. Educated but unemployed college and university economic relevance. Where there is employment, graduates. Most of the young people, especially in poverty level goes down. Which therefore means Africa take their undergraduate courses with the the vulnerability to human trafficking will be feeling of smooth future after they get formal jobs reduced. either within or out side the countries of birth. This This paper therefore put s into consideration the is not always the case. This in inturn ‘predisposes importance of technical education in addition to them to human trafficking through fraud. other areas of intervention, as one of the key to 5. Geographical, gender and economic inequities. fighting this vice of human trafficking. In most African countries there is an equal Source: January 02, 2012/Consolation Africa distribution of resources due to some political and rersource based reasons. Human traffickers have a Changing role of pharmacists: Indian scenario tendency to target these specific areas with the Atul K Nasa, President, Indian Pharmacy Graduates' promises of better lives for the people of these Association (IPGA), writes about the evolution of areas. pharmacy practices in India and provides a peek Technical education stands best placed in solving into the future of the pharmacy profession, while the above listed challenges facing the third world suggesting the changes that the profession needs economies. In most cases these are the to implement at various levels predisposing factors to human trafficking. One The Indian pharmaceutical sector has come a long may ask, how does technical education come way from being an almost non-existent industry about in reducing the vulnerability to this vice? before 1970 to a prominent provider of healthcare THE ROLE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION products now, meeting almost 95 per cent of the The starting point to this is the fact that country's pharma needs. The industry today is in employment opportunities are very minimal in the the forefront of India’s science-based industries, formal sector. The acquisition of business with wide ranging capabilities in the complex field management and entrepreneurship skills for self of drug manufacturing and technology. It ranks employment becomes a major imperative in the very high in the third world in terms of technology, design of technical education. quality and range of medicines manufactured. From simple headache pills to sophisticated antibiotics Technical education emphasizes on the acquisition and complex cardiac compounds, almost every type of employable skills and therefore well placed to of medicine is now made indigenously. Playing a train the skilled and entrepreneurial workforce that key role in promoting and sustaining development Africa needs to create wealth and emerge out of in the vital field of medicines, the Indian pharma poverty. industry boasts of quality producers and many Technical education can be delivered at different units approved by regulatory authorities in the levels of sophistication; can respond to the USand UK. International companies associated with different training needs of learners from different this sector have stimulated, assisted and social economic and academic backgrounds and spearheaded this dynamic development in the past prepare them for gainful employment and 53 years and helped to put India on the pharma sustainable livelihood. In other words, acquisitions map of the world. Over the years, the industry has of these skills, does not depend entirely on how been gaining momentum worldwide. far an individual reached in his, or her formal Redefining the role of pharmacists education. Both primary school dropouts and university graduates can benefit from these skills. Pharmacists play a crucial role in any health system as they are responsible for providing solution Examples of technical skills related to medication. The rapid growth and Building and construction, carpentry and joinery, diversification of the pharma industry, coupled with welding and fabrication, agriculture, electrical the growth of the health sector has thrown open a i9nstallition and electrical equipment repair, car sea of opportunities for pharmacists. These repair and maintenance, water supply and emerging opportunities have prompted a deeper www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 33 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION look into the human resources for the pharmacy Pharmacist in the society: Traditional vs modern sector. The spectrum of pharmacy profession in role India is very wide, as it covers a myriad of The pharmacy profession is in its transitional state. opportunities in the pharma industry—R&D, The health care delivery pattern has been manufacturing and retail, healthcare sector, completely transformed and has acquired an all- pharmacy education and regulatory bodies. The together different image than what we have been current availability of pharmacists in terms of observing traditionally. The present of pharmacy pharmacist to population ratio compares does not lie merely in dispensing of medication, but favourably with that in a developed country. in the provision of relevant drug information and However, the number of registered pharmacists drug therapy recommendation to the people in the does not reflect the actual number of pharmacists society. currently involved in pharmacy practice. The Over a period of time, the pharmacy profession has actual number is likely to be much lower due to greatly changed from being focused on managing migration, death, retirement, those getting into the production and dispensing of drugs, to being other areas of pharmacy profession such as primarily concerned with the safe, effective and industrial, regulatory, marketing etc. appropriate use of medication and enhanced The demand of pharmacists is further growing with pharmacy services to patients. High technological the growth of the industry within the country and advancement and information explosion have outsourcing from abroad. Among the biggest significantly raised the knowledge and quality level, factors fuelling the growth are contract research due to which the pharmacists are now ready to for pharma R&D and contract manufacturing for shoulder bigger responsibilities with appreciable global pharma companies. Associated with these sense of sincerity and dedication. The role of are requirement of professionals with expertise in pharmacists is now no longer a fixed and rigid one, national and international regulatory affairs. The but has been continuously changing and redefining retail sector is witnessing growth due to entry of its meaning and significance in the changing major retail chains. The growth of national scenario, which is why the bond between a healthcare spending to more than 12 per cent per pharmacist and society is becoming stronger day- annum will impact the availability, accessibility and by-day and acquiring new dimensions. the demand for drugs, which in turn will have a Pharmacy, as a profession, has been able to make direct impact on the requirement of pharmacists. a room for it in the present day society. There are This will also have an impact on the requirement numerous reasons, which are responsible for of hospital pharmacists and those getting into the greater impact and penetration of pharmacists into insurance sector. The shortfall in supply of the societal network irrespective of geographical pharmacists in developed countries such as the boundaries. Whether it is a metro city or a US, Canada, Europe etc and lucrative opportunities remotely located rural area, pharmacists are for employment will give rise to migration of everywhere, discharging their duties to serve the Indian pharmacists to these countries. This will get humanity. The factors responsible for the influential a further boost with pharmacy institutions getting role of pharmacists in the society may be accredited by foreign bodies. These factors will summarised as below:- push the demand for pharmacists. 1. Thrust on pharmaceutical care to patients - Besides the demand and supply issues, there are Pharmacists have begun to concentrate on patient several other areas affecting the pharmacy care specifically after pharma care had been profession in the country. Pharmacists in India do mandated as a patient centered practice model for not have any laid down norms on competencies pharmacy. Many pharmacists have found and quality of services. Unlike many developed themselves challenged by a paradigm shift in their countries, there is no system of evaluating a daily practices from product to the patient. Pharma pharmacist’s competency. Hence, the level of care addresses the patient’s drug-related needs competencies and the quality of services provided comprehensively through a scheduled outline of are likely to vary among Indian pharmacists. tasks, in which the practitioner makes sure that a Pharmacists have the potential to fill the gap drug therapy is appropriately indicated, effective, created due shortage/unavailability of doctors and safe, and convenience. Shifting from a dispensing nursing personnel in health facilities in rural areas. focus to a patient focus has been particularly This can be achieved through a policy initiative to challenging, which has included offering expanded redefine the role of pharmacists in the Indian patient counseling, immunisations, and medication- healthcare system so as to better utilise their dependent disease management for persons with capabilities. certain chronic conditions. Pharmacists are now www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 34 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION covering a wide range of clinical and management more discussions, talks, seminars and symposia functions like tracking adverse drug effects, and cover topics directly catering to the society's participating in programmes to reduce medication needs, adequately and appropriately publicise and errors, monitoring patients’ compliance with advertised each and every mass- medication use, and conducting medication movement/societal mission launched by pharma management programmes. professionals so that the rest of the society may 2. Redesigning the medication-use system - also participate and contribute to them, and Pharmacists have taken into consideration the establish new Pharmaceutical Information Centres need to 're-engineer the medication use system' to (PICs) throughout the nation to impart information reduce preventable drug therapy–related adverse about significant pharmaceutical activities to the outcomes; to identify well-functioning models and society. to develop strategies to evaluate and implement Education 'wise' additional models; and to encourage inter- As it has been proposed that chemist shops should professional collaboration. The task is not so easy have a graduate pharmacist, the existing diplomas and they may come across certain kind of should give pharmacists an opportunity to upgrade problems like lack of patient medical information, their knowledge and skills to the level of graduate patient confidentiality concerns, limited pharmacists. This task can be undertaken by professional communication, multiple approved securing seats in degree courses for those who opt formularies etc. for regular programmes or by developing 3. Continuing professional development (CPD) - specifically designed long duration, part-time Today’s pharmacist believes that professional programmes. Going by the experience of several attitude is an indispensable tool to make the countries, pharmacy technicians or assistants will profession just as significant for the society. A be required to assist graduate pharmacists. pharmacist must maintain his/her competence and Therefore, the existing diploma courses should be effectiveness by keeping up-to-date with changes re-oriented for pharmacy assistants with reduced in pharmacy practice and with relevant knowledge duration of training. The existing institutions and technology. CPD has been able to bring the conducting diploma courses should be given the society nearer to pharmacists when there comes a option of upgrading to degree courses or to conduct question about society welfare. technician/assistant courses in a phased manner. 4. Adherence to pharma code of ethics - Sticking In order to cater to both industrial and healthcare to ethical rules has helped a lot to establish the aspects of pharmacy, graduate level courses should pharmacy profession as a noble one among the be separated as B Pharm–Industrial and B Pharm- society, and pharmacists are advocating the Healthcare. The curriculum should be re-oriented to adherence to the pharma code of ethics more fulfill practice requirements in both industrial, as strongly and loudly in the present scenario. well as healthcare settings. 5. Authentic source of pharma information - The There exists a mechanism to regularly monitor information pharmacists give plays a vital role in infrastructure, manpower and other critical inputs providing relevant and up-to-date drug for delivering quality education and training, information to people as and when required. however, Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and All 6. Adopting new concepts - The changing global India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) need scenario has prompted pharmacists to adopt new to strengthen the implementation of the monitoring concepts for the welfare of society. Such concepts mechanism. There also exists a system of teachers include antibiotic pharmacist, retail pharmacist, training and skill enhancement to develop teaching academic pharmacist, pharmaceutical journalist faculty for short and long-term requirement etc. implemented by AICTE and University Grants Commission (UGC). However, it should be ensured Societal network: Enhancing penetration that all teachers in the pharmacy sector should The need of the hour is that the reflection of the undergo training and skill enhancement on a extraordinary good work being performed by regular basis. The PCI should initiate measures to pharma professionals should reach the common make Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) man, and every segment of society should realise, programmes mandatory for all practicing experience and recognise the beneficial pharmacists. This should be linked to periodic implications of such efforts for the well being of renewal of license for practice. PCI should also society. Significant strategies and alternatives may develop accredited CPE programmes at select be to frequently organise exhibitions and centres. The involvement of professional bodies pharmacy fairs for the general public, organise associated with pharmacy besides the PCI will be www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 35 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION crucial in establishing and sustaining CPE activities change peoples perception of a pharmacist from on a long-term basis. being a trader or shopkeeper to that that of a true Demand, supply and existing numbers health professional as in many developed countries. The pharmacy profession is proving itself as the The government should institute a comprehensive backbone of the society as far as health aspects are study to map out the existing pharmacy concerned. Pharmacists are establishing new manpower in the country. This data will help in standards of pharma care and redefining their role understanding the existing manpower and plan towards the society. The impact and influence of future human resource development. PCI should pharmacy profession has never been recognised undertake a drive to update the practice status of and identified so significantly as it is today. The registered pharmacists. entire credit goes to pharmacists who are now Further, licensing should be made compulsory and more aware and concerned for the welfare of the should be renewed every year or every two years. society, adopting modern concepts and professional The renewal would be granted on the basis of attitude, but not at the cost of pharma ethics, and certain minimum level of CPE undertaken. This, thus, have been able to penetrate the society, when enforced strictly, will also help in maintaining maintaining the traditional sanctity of pharmacy and updating data on workforce status in the profession. pharmacy sector. This will help in maintaining an Source: January 02, 2012/Express Pharma active register of practicing pharmacists. The orientation of pharmacy courses based on NCHRH Bill aims to block medicos’ ‘fly early’ feedback from the industry and health sector move professionals should be undertaken on a In the days to come, migration to the West in continuous basis. Promoting affiliation with foreign search of greener pastures may not be possible for institutions will also help in updating the Indian medical professionals soon after acquiring curriculum and bringing it to international higher skills abroad at the cost of the Government standards. funds. PCI should undertake educational planning in The Health Ministry’s proposed National order to promote setting up pharmacy institutions Commission for Human Resources for Health in underserved areas so as to remove regional (NCHRH) Bill 2011--under the consideration of imbalances. Parliament---aims to curb the frequent flying trend Setting benchmarks of the doctors which is posing a severe strain on There is a need for establishing benchmarks for the healthcare sector in the country. availability of pharmacists in different areas of As per Clause 59 of the proposed Bill, every practice, for example, community pharmacists vis- medical professional will be bound to serve at least a-vis population, hospital pharmacists as per three years in the country after acquiring higher number of beds etc. This will help in forecasting skills or education outside India in the field of the future demand. There is also a need for health. In case they fail to do so, their name would benchmarking performance parameters for be removed from the National Register or the state services and competency of pharmacists. These register. The Bill strives to regulate standards of benchmarks should be publicised so as make health education in the country. people aware regarding expectations from a “It includes all the individuals who obtain a degree pharmacists. This should be supported by a at graduate or post graduate or doctoral or post system of monitoring and audit. doctoral or super specialty from a university or Indian healthcare is witnessing a rapid growth and institution which receives grant from the Central managing the human resources to support this Government or state government or controlled by growth will be very critical. The pharmacist is a the government,” says the Bill. key component of healthcare and touches patients A senior health official pointed out that it is for the at every level, from high ended hospitals to the first time that such a stringent clause has been doorstep, where they provide medications in the proposed to improve the doctor-patient ratio by community. Further, many of them work behind retaining more trained medical personnel. India has the scenes in areas such as drug research, drug just one doctor for every 1,700 people, while the distribution, in regulatory, and teaching and global ratio is one doctor for every 670 persons. training roles. In order to cater to the growing It’s estimated that 60,000 Indian physicians work demand for quality healthcare services in the abroad, and the MCI says 767 more doctors left country, there is a need for concerted efforts from this year, till July last year. all stakeholder to promote community practice and www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 36 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Justifying the step, the officer noted, “In terms of Time and time again we hear about “India rising”; money, our Government spends a large sum of the sweeping remarks about its financial success, or taxpayer’s money every year on the training of last year’s GDP growth, at par with- at times even doctors through its generous subsidies for higher overtaking- China. In short, we hear only about the education. Isn’t it logical that the society should things that make us feel good as a nation, seldom get returns on its investment? Doctors can’t shy do you hear about what goes about behind the away from their responsibilities.” scenes; the foreign and domestic forces at hand in The proposed Bill also provides “that any person demolishing the national structure, one day at a whose name has been removed under Clause 59 time, one unit at a time. These keenly neglected but opts to return to India shall be entitled to get newsreels are precisely what we will present here, his name re-entered subject to payment of such but first a brief history lesson. fees and fulfillment of such conditions as may be LOOKING BACK IN TIME: specified by regulations by the commission The Hindu/Indian culture was the cradle of (proposed to be set up under the legislation). advanced civilization. Everything flourished in this Source: January 02, 2012/Daily Pioneer ancient land- Philosophy, Mathematics, Science, Open Letter to India: Looking Back in Time Literature, Commerce, Arts, Yoga, Ayurveda, Architecture, Governance, Logic, Astrology, I address you collectively as a nation, as nation Astronomy, Medicine- you name it, we had it. We builders, and as individuals capable of rationale even came up with the same postulates of and reasoning. Pythagorus’ theorem before he did, presented in As human beings we are endowed with an Vedic scriptures, detailing the size and shapes of enhanced intellectual faculty, which is really the yajna altars. Thus the cornerstone of every great only thing that confers us a distinct position in the thought found its epicenter in India. animal kingdom. Genetically, we are 99% similar Being a highly evolved and peace-loving culture, to chimps, but that 1% sets us apart. This we knew the value of our values. We gave birth to difference manifests itself in a very special place- some of the most profound luminaries that walked the human mind. this earth:- Vyasa, Vashishta, Adi Shankaracharya, Our choices define us, and it is the mind where all Mahavira, Buddha, Valmiki, to name a few, and an choices are made. In the mind alone, endless, unbroken lineage of enlightened Acharyas transformations that shape the external world are in this Guru-Shishya Parampara (student-teacher first conceived before being put into action. tradition). Then things went awry. Indeed, it is a powerful tool, but with great power When the Islamic invaders attacked India, there comes great responsibility. Unfortunately, we have was large scale cultural dishevelment. Wealth was been shirking our responsibilities for a long time plundered, women were defiled, ancient religions now. were displaced, and scores of temples were Today, we live in an age of social crisis. The demolished. It would be fitting to term the trouble isn’t lack of intelligence or some debility; Mughals- perhaps with the exception of Akbar- as rather it is the lack of knowledge, and the less of rulers and more of barbarians. Long lapses subsequent inaction on our part that follows. of time make us routinely forget that first it was Without knowledge, we cannot make informed Babar, who destroyed the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, decisions- crucial decisions that shape our future, creating an long-standing legacy of temple and that of our nation. destruction throughout erstwhile India, which A region having seismic fault-lines is most prone ended only with the demise of the last Mughul to geological disturbances- more commonly known ruler, the ruthless Aurangzeb. Thus India as earthquakes. India too is replete with its own underwent a painful transformation from being the fault-lines, but on the political, educational, most prolific producers and inventors, to passive cultural, social, economic and intellectual fronts. ones, because we had to direct our minds and These fault lines disintegrate the country from resources toward resisting the onslaught. within, making it susceptible to exploitation in one The next blow came from the Europeans, when form or another. I cannot possibly address all of they landed ashore under the pretext of trade. We the issues here- that would require a voluminous did not them for an extended stay-back to sample tome, not an essay. I will however give a bird’s more of our curry dishes- they invaded us. Already eye view of it, touching upon the general ideas, weakened by the Mughuls, and thus falling providing the impetus to do your own subsequent technologically behind, we did not put up much of a research where required.

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 37 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION challenge to the British, and were once again at Missionaries in India, whose primary motive for the the mercy of another foreign power. most part is to convert the nation to their faith. It is a well recognized fact that India was the That will be further discussed as we proceed. world’s economic superpower for the most part of Pre-Independence, Hindus and Muslims co-existed recorded history. However, due to the Islamic and side-by-side in relative peace, until the seeds of British invasions, contrasted by the Industrial divisiveness had been planted into the Indian soil revolution hitting Europe, India fell behind in the by the colonizers. Almost all Muslims living in India GDP race in the early 19th century, and we never are converts, and culturally are still very much again regained our lost position again Indian, but today they are being led astray with the It is crucial to note that in spite of our numerous solid influence of figures living in the Arab world, successes, Indians never set out to conquer other and their dialectics are contrary; even antagonistic nations, we have always been self sustaining and to the Indian culture. Over time, those figures are self satisfied. Even with the outsiders who ruled transforming the psyche of Indian Muslims to that us, we tried to form amicable relationships, of the Arabic world. This breaks the nation from allowing them to assimilate into our way of living, within. despite their best attempts to extricate us from Similarly, the Christian Missionaries who “work” in our own. It is in our cultural DNA to always be India are trying to mould India from a very accommodating, and therein lies the greatness of Western angle and that has been causing a lot of our Hindu/Indian culture. friction in rural villages, which is responsible for The Hindu-Jewish Summit was held in New Delhi, scores of families falling apart. in 2010. The Jewish Rabbis graciously admitted In India, family has been the most important social that the Hindus alone gave them shelter when unit, and these domestically implanted “push they were chased into exile by everyone else. factors” coupled with foreign influenced “pull Whether it was being ousted from their homeland factors” are causing massive damage to the social by the Muslims in Arabia, the anti-Semitist structure of India. movements of the Christians, or facing the The Hindu religion on the other hand does not holocaust at the hands of the Nazi regime; Jews require its followers to convert anybody; it have faced a long history of persecution. It is in prescribes a way of living for the adherents alone, India where they found their long awaited peace. and for no one else. We neither wish to be The same applied for Parsis- the Zoroastrians now converted nor are we looking to convert, which is integrated in India. Like the Jews, they too were what makes the associated Hindu/Indian culture harassed away from their native Persia by the the most pluralistic and accommodating of all. Arabic Muslims, and thus made their way into the As a Hindu, one has no personal restrictions Hindu/Indian culture upon their arrival at Gujarat, against entering a Church or a Mosque, just as into which they were peacefully assimilated. freely as he worships in his own temple, but today A NEED FOR INTEGRATION OF CULTURES: it is some fundamentalist sitting in the Middle-East, Today, India is a potpourri of many world religions, who determines what Indian Muslims should and but it is fast losing its culture due to many eroding should not do. factors which we will explore. As we made Let me be very clear here. Adopting a Hindu culture abundantly clear above, historically, it is the does not mean one needs to adopt the Hindu Hindu/Indigenous culture alone that has allowed religion, one can practice their own faith, just as for the peaceful integration of people in our the Jews, Parsis, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs and the nation. The cultures associated with the major Vedic followers have merged seamlessly into a western religions- with all due respect- do not unified Hindu/Indian culture, and quite successfully allow for this plurality in India, as they wish for too. This alone can save our country from internal others to do and believe in the same things that fragmenting. they do. Our Ex- President Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam serves as a A sparkling example of this is Dr.Zakir Naik. If you perfect example of this. There is no doubt in have seen him on television or ‘Youtube’, you anyone’s mind that he has been one of the greatest would know exactly what I mean. For those who modern contributors to our national structure, and haven’t, he is Islam’s answer to Televangelists, in his capacity has done more for the nation than performing his theatrical antics on stage believing credited for. His interest at heart has always been that the public is comprised of incompetents. India, and despite being born in a Muslim family, he Unfortunately that is true, as most of his audience has shown no hesitation in appreciating his Indian consist of yes-men. The same applies to Christian roots. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 38 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

When in Rome, do as the Romans do, it only Trivia: The family name, ‘Gandhi’, has merely been makes perfect sense that those living in India adopted to play to the sentiments of the masses; follow the same principle, without having to give sadly it worked. The lesser said about Mrs. up their religious beliefs and practices. Thus we Gandhi’s not-so- illustrious child, Rahul Gandhi, the see that adopting an indigenous culture alone can better. One may also want to do some inquiry into stop the country from the internal fragmentation what his real name is, as the family has a long envisioned by divisive forces. history of adopting names that resonate well with In this kind of unity alone lies strength. No one the public. loses their identity; they simply become part of a Dressed in white, smiling and waving at the camera greater Indian story. does not qualify one to run a nation of 120 crore UNDERSTANDING PSEUDO-SECULARISM: people, competence does. On all counts, the Gandhi scion is unfit to bear this impending When an organization or entity, in their responsibility. It would be a shame to see him as pretentious bid to be overly secular, behaves in a our next Prime Minister in the 2014 General totally un-secular fashion, this behaviour is termed Elections. as ‘Pseudo-Secularism’. When such pseudo- secularism is put into practice, the ones who MINORITY APPEASEMENT: primarily suffer are the majority inhabitants of the Now, the Congress Government partakes in an country; in our case, Hindus. activity called ‘Minority Appeasement’, which you A functioning democracy should reflect the interest may consider one of the package deals under the of the people, providing equal rights to all and provisions of Pseudo-Secularism. sundry. As we will discover, the major institutions Here is how and why it works to their advantage, in our country such as the government, media and and this will directly tie in to the need for Hindus to educational system are severely crippling the be more organized socio-culturally and politically. nation through their non-secular practices. Let’s In the process of Minority Appeasement, the take them on one by one. Government will be extra nice to the Muslim and PSEUDO-SECULARISM IN THE GOVERNMENT: Christian populace, but they will conveniently Sonia Gandhi, born in Italy, under the name ignore other minorities such as Sikhs, Jews, Jains Edvige Antonia Albina Maino, and the rest of the etc. The reason is very simple. Muslims and Congress Party have time and again proven that Christians in India are highly organized in their their governance is detrimental to the joint decision making strategies. There is a very development of our nation. high level of agreement amongst them; hence if you can win the confidence of a few, you win them It is entirely frightening that in a country of nearly all. That is why an overwhelming majority of 1.2 billion people, most are oblivious to the facts Muslims and Christians will vote for Congress surrounding the people they elect to power. alone, which is the reason they are appeased in the Dr. Subramaniam Swamy has collected plenty of first place. incriminating evidence against the Congress In the case of Hindus, our votes are divided. We officials on many counts, yet the proceedings are cannot reach consensus even over regional MLAs- moving at a snail’s pace. It would appear that let alone electing a National Government. This is some are in fervent hope of outliving the the reason why the Government must stoop to the prosecutor. The media too has unnecessarily been level of Minority Appeasement, because the giving him a hard time, despite his efforts to minorities are highly homogenized in their expose corrupt individuals in power. The collective decisions. They have no reason to be nice supporting evidences for Dr. Swamy’s claims are to Hindus; hence the Hindus lie at the suffering up for display on his website. You may draw your end. This absolute lack of socio-political unity own conclusions from the same. among Hindus is the main cause for anti-Hindu I can understand that we didn’t really have that parties running the country. much of a choice thwarting the British; what’s Even Church and Mosque funds are mainly handled done is done, but honestly, must we make the by their respective autonomous religious same mistake with the Italian born as well? We institutions, but when it comes to Temple funds, for need to wean off this colonized mentality and some reason the Government often wants to learn to elect one of our own; someone who interfere and take control. understands the nation better, someone who is interested in its well being, and someone who can Year 2011 presented a shameful incident regarding effectively govern it. the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It is a matter of pride that the members of the Travancore Royal www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 39 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Family were the caretakers of an estimated empathy, self image, inter-personal relationships, US$26.76 billion; not having used it for and a holistic appreciation of things. The left side themselves, and a matter of shame that the State deals with logic, analysis, objectivity, goals, and is Government wished to manage this fund. detail oriented. Too much of right with very little For a very long time, Indian Muslims were being left would leave behind a sentimental wreck; provided a Haj subsidy by the government to go to irrational and lacking objectivity. Too much of left Mecca. In 2007 the government spent Rs. 47,454 with little right would give rise to an automaton; a per passenger. In December, 2011, Christians flesh and blood robot with no sentiments or were accorded a subsidy to pilgrimage to appreciation of the finer side of life. Neither one of Jerusalem. It was only after much struggle that these individuals is socially fit. the Tamil Nadu Government extended the same A well developed person is adequately developed in rights to Hindus to visit Mansarovar. both hemispheres. He caters to both his emotional United we stand, divided we fall. As Hindus, our and analytical needs as and when required. lack of consensus on issues is one of the primary Unfortunately, our educational system is primarily reasons for our downfall as a nation. focused only on the left, turning children into mechanical zombies before every exam, giving no I once read a joke on the internet: “The second chance to develop their creative side. Parents and stupidest thing America did was elect Bush as teachers need to address this problem. The President, but the stupidest thing they did was formative years of children are their school going elect him again.” I sincerely hope our nation does years, and will vastly determine their future not make the same mistake with the present personality. Government, because if it does, we cannot blame anyone but ourselves. As the saying goes, “fool As the decades pass, we are giving lesser me once; shame on you, fool me twice; shame on importance to value education and appreciation of me”. Indian culture. The Board of Education needs to recognize this problem, and focus on finding a way PSEUDO-SECULARISM IN THE EDUCATIONAL to incorporate cultural activities into their SYSTEM: education. Educational centers are the most important places Introducing Indian dance forms such as Bharat to begin shaping our understanding of the world. Natyam, Oddisi, Kuchchipudi, Kathak etc- What we learn in school and college is often what depending on the State you hail from; Yoga, for a we develop a life-long affinity for. sound mind and body as part of Physical Education, When you infect the educational system, you are and Carnatic and Hindustani Sangeet, are good infecting minds; not one, but many. It spreads like steps to take. an epidemic. Horizontally; it grows by infecting the These need to find their way into the lives of contemporary population, and vertically; through children. If you are a parent concerned about the generations of culturally deprived children. negative influences on your little ones, try enrolling It should not come across as much of a surprise, them into these Indo-cultural activities and mark that a large portion of our school and college the difference for yourselves. Even if the schools do syllabus is patterned after Western thought, but not offer them, find a nearby cultural center for before I get into that I’d like to point out a Indian arts; every major city in India has at least a fundamental flaw in the modern Indian Education few. System. Small efforts on your part will turn them into well In ancient times, there was equal emphasis on the rounded children, and that can only happen if they sciences as well as cultural ethos. Sanskrit are familiar with their cultural ethos. Literature abounds with rigorous treatises on logic PRESERVATION OF SANSKRIT: which would make the Greek philosophers look juvenile in comparison. For sampling purposes, For several reasons, attempts to bury Sanskrit as a please study one of our Nyaya Shastras. On the language have been made. One of the primary other hand, our texts also painted a gentler, more reasons being that the majority of Hindu literature picturesque view of life. The ancients understood and scriptures have been written in Sanskrit, so the importance of striking this balance and with when the language dies, automatically there are good reason too. fewer people taking interest in these ancient works, so the associated religion and culture start dying The brain is divided into hemispheres; the left and along with it, leaving plenty of room for those with the right. The right side is concerned with ulterior motives to take advantage of this situation. aesthetics, languages, emotions, intuition,

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 40 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

If there exists an option between Sanskrit and a Nyaya, Sankhya, Vaisheshika and etc. If they do foreign language offered in school, opt for happen to read ancient Indian texts, many do so Sanskrit. It is only the pseudo-secular mentality in only with a critical eye, not with the reverence that our heads that we feel something “foreign” is they were intended for, and how can they, when better, or “cooler”- well it isn’t, nor is it going to their schools did not provide them any appreciation impress anyone. It is simply an idea that has been of these texts via culture based value education? fed to us for a very long time, which we have So they end up writing acidic papers on the Hindu digested quite successfully. culture in the light of their warped understanding of The good news is that Sanskrit is not a dead contexts and perspectives. language yet. The bad news is it will be if you In summary, you have little kids that have grown allow it to happen. Please don’t. We should be just up, all ready to be sent off to college, still as proud of it as we are of English. It is an traditionally impoverished in their thought process. important part of your heritage, and its Then due to their inadequate supplementary preservation lies in your hands. education, they set themselves up for more more- MARXIST CURRICULUM: of-the-same, and get sucked right into the game of rebelling against their own culture, scoring self goal Every country having a rich and varied heritage after another. It is truly a no-win situation for would be proud of it. It is disparaging that in spite them. of living in the land of the Ramayana and Mahabharata; two of the lengthiest and culturally These sadly misplaced students find their way into meaningful historical epics, they do not find their popular media by becoming Journalists, News way into the school curriculum despite having Reporters, Authors, Historians, Social workers or some very good English translations, yet we find Western styled Lobbyists. Several of them take up mention of Shakespeare, Gilgamesh and Rumi. teaching positions, and they teach their students Furthermore, we learn tales from Aesop’s Fables, the same things that they had been taught. Thus for “Value Education”, but not beautiful ones from the vicious circle completes itself, with another the Puranas or Panchatantra. generation getting ready for the same treatment. It should be noted that there are still a few To illustrate, there is a story in the Puranas, where exceptional people that I appreciate in each of Ganesha and his brother Karthikeya decide to have these disciplines cited above, who do have their a race to see who can go around the world the understanding in right place; however the general quickest. Karthikeya sets off like a bolt of trend is still downhill. lightning, while Ganesha slowly encircles his parents- Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati- 3 times PSEUDO-SECULARISM IN THE MEDIA: before Karthikeya returns. Ganesha states that his As mentioned, some of the graduating batches of parents mean the world to him, and is declared pseudo-secular individuals are likely to pick careers the winner. in media/broadcasting, and here is where they This is what India is about; there is so much to wreak wide-spread havoc. learn from these little stories. It is painfully Already steeped in Marxist thought, having only a evident that however good things are, Pseudo- perfunctory academic knowledge of Indian Secularism will always undermine the greatness of tradition, and completely removed from our cultural our culture. ethos, these media men and women think they Dance and music in India have always been hinged understand what is good for India better than on devotion to the Lord, one cannot separate the many Indians who have fortunately not undergone means from the end, yet we find just that such a cultural alienation as them. happening. In Kalakshetra, a renowned fine arts So far we uncovered the mechanism at work, but school in India, most Ganesha images on which who is pushing the buttons? As a common civilian (as per tradition) pooja would be performed, were lacking access to inside information, I will refrain removed in an attempt to be a more secular. from making any statements I cannot fully It gets even worse at University level; pointedly in substantiate, so as an exercise, I do encourage the case of Liberal Arts majors. Now their entire typing the phrase ‘Who Owns the Indian Media’, syllabus not only ignores Hindu Literature, but is and performing an internet search on it, from which often antagonistic to it. Once again, it is very you can draw your own conclusions. becoming of them to read philosophies of Plato, It isn’t surprising that the vocabulary of some Aristotle, Socrates, Marx, Descartes and other media personalities is replete with mocking Westerners, but not any Indian school of adjectives for Hindus taking up some prominent philosophical thought such as Vedanta, Tarka, public position; be it a Swami or a Politician. In www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 41 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION other words, it is okay if you are a devout in our country. These Christian Institutions in India Christian or a Muslim, and taking part in politics, are not a minority, they are simply connecting but if you are a Hindu, you are automatically nodes, equipped and commandeered from abroad associated with one or more of the following to serve a specific purpose. terms: “God-men”, “saffron brigade”, So to get things clear, Christianity, as it exists in “fundamentalist”, “Right-winged terrorist”, India in its current form, cannot be considered a “communal’ and more. minority. There are deviants found everywhere, but for Just as the funding for a multinational corporation every scandal one can associate a Hindu figure in India comes from outside the country, a with, ten or more scandals could be pointed out staggering amount of money running these connected to the Church. Would the Indian Media organizations comes not from Christians living in dare extend the same disrespect to Christian India, but centers abroad, and most of them under Clerics or Muslim Imams, as they do towards the guise of providing service, which in reality are Swamis? Not by a long shot. set up to convert as many Indians to their faith as Another favorite pass-time of the Media is R.S.S. they possibly can. (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) bashing. We How do they go about doing it? It has been have all heard it on television and read it in the rampant for the past few centuries now. Right from papers; the media spends more time dogging after the time the British set foot in India, seeds of R.S.S. than it does chastising real terrorist conversion were already being sown. organizations. DEBUNKING THE ARYAN INVASION THEORY: However not everyone is that biased, here is what There are several challenges involved in colonizing a former SC Judge, K.T. Thomas, has to say: a nation. What makes it easier to accomplish is “There is a smear campaign that RSS was when you present yourself as their superiors, in responsible for Gandhi’s assassination just some cases, even their saviors. Such an agenda because the assassin was once an RSS worker,” he gave rise to a very destructive and false notion said, adding that the organisation had been known as the ‘Aryan Invasion Theory’ (AIT). “completely exonerated” by the court. “This smear AIT basically postulates that the ancient Indians of campaign must end against RSS,” he said. Vedic times derived their civilization and Vedic “I am a Christian. I was born as a Christian and religion from foreign invaders. practise that religion. I am a church-going The word ‘Aryan’ comes from the Sanskrit word Christian. But I have also learnt many things ‘Arya‘ (????), which simply means ‘noble’. It has about RSS,” he said. absolutely nothing to do with race. The Europeans “During the Emergency, RSS was the only non- had us believe otherwise. political organisation which fought against it, he It took many prominent historians decades of said. “We owe very much to RSS for sacrificing struggling against the inertia of false ideologies, many lives for regaining our fundamental rights,” created by colonist brainwashing- not to mention said Thomas. dissenting views of many biased anti-Indian That should put the matter at rest. Plenty more historians- to finally drive the nail on this theory, could be said about the media, but this gives the and thankfully as a result it is losing its validity general idea. even in academic circles. You can find innumerable MINORITY OR NOT A MINORITY- THAT IS THE related studies on the internet or otherwise; few of QUESTION: which include ‘Solid Evidence Debunking Aryan Invasion’, by David Frawley; ‘History of Ancient Let us focus on the word ‘minority’. What exactly India’, by Kamlesh Kapur; ‘The Collapse of the does it mean to be a minority? Aryan Invasion Theory’, by Professor Nicholas Take the example of a multi-national company, Kazanas- among others. say, ‘McDonalds’, which has a franchise set up in The AIT gave rise to many tragic conclusions. A India. Would one by any means consider known fact is that Hitler’s Nazism was heavily McDonalds a “minority” company? Of course not, based on the AIT notion, and that led to the killing simply because its nexus lies abroad, and what is of millions of innocent people, due to a sense of present in India is simply an off-shoot; a racial superiority. Unfortunately the roots of lies run subsidiary branch of something large having its very deep; AIT is still running rounds, having re- base outside. packaged itself as the ‘Aryan Migration Theory’. Same is the case with Christianity in India; foreign FALSE DRAVIDIAN PREMISE: nexuses around the globe have set up institutions www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 42 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Another major and contemporary problem is the DALIT BRAINWASHING: Dravidian identity. As mentioned, one of the Dalits in India, who are very much a part of postulates of AIT states that the Aryans came Hinduism, are being strategically trained to turn from the outside, and the Dravidians were the against Hinduism. This is a two-part process. The original inhabitants of India. This split the nation first step involves converting them to ‘Neo- into two along the geo-politico-socio-cultural lines. Buddhism’, which has only a namesake association Some in the southern states consider themselves with Buddhism, but in reality is simply an anti- Dravidians, and wish to carve a separate identity, Hindu construct. While Buddhism itself is a even a separate nation for themselves. beautiful religion, Neo-Buddhism is a part of a Unfortunately they bought into the AIT premise bitter two-step agenda of alienation and and do not understand that the people of India as conversion. a whole are an indigenous lot. In the second step, already drenched with anti- This topic has been masterfully dealt in the book Hindu propaganda, these Neo-Buddhist Dalits fall ‘Breaking India’ authored by Mr. Rajiv Malhotra easy prey to be converted to Christianity. and Mr. Aravindan Neelakandan. This book is It is not uncommon to see pictures of Jesus shown highly recommended for those who are interested sitting in Padmasana (lotus posture), and termed in knowing about the various issues plaguing India as a more “recent” Avatara, in an attempt to lure today. I have spoken to one of the co-authors at Hindus away. I was narrated incidents of school-bus length, and the situation does look very bleak at this point. I quote from their website: drivers, who will stall the vehicle in the middle of the road, and ask the children to pray to their The fabrication of South Indian history is being favorite God so they can get to school safely. The carried out on an immense scale with the explicit kids pray to their Hindu deities to no avail. Then goal of constructing a Dravidian identity that is they are asked to pray to Jesus, and voila, the distinct from that of the rest of India. From the engine purrs with life. Other methods include 1830s onwards, this endeavor’s key milestones shamelessly offering food if one pledges their have claimed that south India: is linguistically allegiance to Christianity. Some downright offer separate from the rest of India; has an un-Indian money and some even create intentional friction in culture, aesthetics and literature; has a history different families, initiating them in the Church disconnected from India’s; is racially distinct; is under the pretext of offering help. religiously distinct; and, consequently, is a separate nation. Charity is when you provide something to the needy, with no strings attached. In the case of Tamil classical literature that predates the 19th these missionaries, their strings tangle you up for century reveals no such identity conflicts especially good: families fall apart, lives are destroyed, and with “alien” peoples of the north, nor does it the entire social structure crumbles to the ground. reveal any sense of victimhood or any view of As we already discussed, the money to fund these Westerners or Christians as “liberators.” This activities comes from abroad. This money goes to identity engineering was begun by British colonial strategically aim at the poorest and most and missionary scholars, picked up by politically uneducated strata of society, to strip them away ambitious south Indians with British backing, and from their traditional roots. subsequently assumed a life of its own. Even then it was largely a secular movement for political There are many cases where the Christians bully or power (albeit with a substratum of racist rhetoric). outcaste their Hindu neighbours to the point that In recent decades, however, a vast network of they convert to Christianity just to be socially groups based in the West has co-opted this accepted. movement and is attempting to transform Tamil These were just glimpses of the enormous scale on identity into the Dravidian Christianity movement which such happenings occur. This is how these premised on a fabricated racial-religious history divisive forces accomplish the task of abducting This rewriting of history has necessitated a range people from their Hindu roots through a process of of archeological falsities and even epigraphic constant brainwashing and trickery. hoaxes, blatantly contradicting scientific evidence. Vote-bank politics works by disallowing the Similar interventions by some of the same global minorities from merging in with the mainstream forces have resulted in genocides and civil wars in culture, purposely segregating them, making them Sri Lanka, Rwanda and other places. If feel inadequately represented, and polarizing their unchallenged these movements could produce votes to gain election victories. These vote-bank horrific outcomes in South India. politics apply not only to Dalits, but also to Christians and Muslims, as stated earlier. Little do www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 43 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION they know that the very politicians who claim to corruption and support for Anna Hazare too latched liberate them, are only caging them further. The onto the public through memes alone. Memes principle is deceivingly simple- if you make spread like viruses, with each individual mind being someone believe they are handicapped, and offer the host. an imaginary crutch, naturally you have their The most dangerous one unleashed is pseudo- support. secularism. This is nothing short of Intellectual If a common tragedy occurs, the news-heading Terrorism. What the divisive organizations and will be sure to include that the victim was a Dalit. foreign nexuses do is smother our traditional If it was a Brahmin or some other varna, it would memes and deliberately flood them with a barrage certainly go unmentioned. Thus we helplessly of introduced ideas to suit their own agenda. As a witness the demonizing of Brahmins, and over result, it has become common practice; even time it becomes engraved in our cultural psyche, fashionable, for Hindus to disenfranchise with these induced ideas becoming our own. themselves from their customs, rituals, and Brahmin bashing is a long standing obsession of religion, all of which are resultant effects of an our media. overdose of methodical brainwashing by the Contemplating a little, it is only natural that our divisive forces covertly at work. This is done by politicians prefer to keep the class distinction alive, soliciting and/or exploiting the System- comprising in order to scoop up their votes. This is the of the polity, the intelligentsia, the academia and primary cause for these factions being the media. underdeveloped compared to the rest of the As individuals, you have the power to influence. nation. The only way to overcome this Simply by discussing these issues with your family marginalization is through raising awareness and and friends, you can effectively undo some of the voting intelligently during elections. damage done by popular media, by being a A CALL TO ACTION: medium in your own sphere of influence. You can generate new Dharmic ideas, as well as resurrect So far we have discussed the disease that plagues old ones that are being methodically erased. our nation as well as the associated symptoms. The cure enjoins the active participation of each As householders, you can ensure that your children one of you. grow up in a cultured setting by re-instating Hindu values at home. Taking them to the temple, Verily, it all begins and ends with the individual. keeping ancient family practices alive, and the Individuals make a family, families form a society, studying of Indian philosophies is a great way to a society sets trends that become a part of our start. It is a fundamental economic principle that national psyche, and these trends steer the demand facilitates supply. Once a market is created present into the future, through precedents for it acts as a feedback mechanism, so demand the forthcoming generations to look up to. incorporation of yoga as part of Physical Training If a few individuals shun their duties, others have (PT) in school, demand Sanskrit to be taught in to bear the weight of their dropped responsibility. class, encourage extra-curricular activities like When the count reaches a critical number, we fall classical dance and singing. If these aren’t offered as a nation, and everything we hold dear and in school, kindly enroll your child in some sacred come tumbling down with us like a house independent institution for the same. In due time, of cards. your dissatisfaction with the system will compel the A democracy that was once of the people, by the schools to cater to these needs. All these things will people and for the people undergoes an ugly go a long way in re-discovering our long lost metamorphoses to become a dictatorship of the cultural ethos, both in our homes and in society. politicians, by the politicians and for the As citizens, please vote responsibly in elections. politicians- a la Congress. Here the pawns are the Make your voice heard through the ballots. Politics educated elite- especially in the media business, isn’t dirty; it is people who exploit it because the and the victims are all of us. well intended ones do not take interest in it. Every A ‘meme’ can be looked upon as a theoretical unit citizen of the world should be politically aware as a of an idea. It is the carrier of cultural themes, minimum social responsibility. symbols and traditions that flow from mind to First they came for the communists, and I didn’t mind, generation to generation. What we consider speak out because I wasn’t a communist. socially acceptable or unacceptable, our likes and Then they came for the trade unionists, and I dislikes, fads, fashions, and thoughts prevalent in didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist. our society today; these are all prompted by memes. The huge nation-wide furor over www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 44 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak examinations. “Universities don’t even revise the out because I wasn’t a Jew. syllabi, and no vice chancellor visits affiliated Then they came for me, and there was no one left colleges. He suggested that examination and grant to speak out for me. of degree to colleges should be segregated from the control of University and University should be -Martin Niemöller promoted as a centre of excellence or in standalone These statements reference the inaction on part of basis”, the minister said. He was also of the view the German intellectuals, in the face of rising that Vice Chancellors' recommendations are more Nazism. They remained silent and allowed concerning about strengthening the financial injustice to sweep the nation. Our national system in their universities rather than reforming discourse has been polluted and we are all equally the higher education as a package. responsible for cleaning it up. “This would certainly help them, as now-a-days Facts by themselves are lifeless, but when clothed universities have just become administrative bodies as ideas, they come alive. Ideas cannot be and very less academic activity takes place there. I contained- they are self-illuminating, they always have even recommended about it in my find a way to shine even through the smallest suggestions to the Government and if it happens, crevices, given the faintest sign of hope. Each research output from universities will increase and point discussed in this analysis is an idea worth they will certainly turn into centre of learning," said sharing. The time has come to reclaim our roots Prof. Yash Pal while talking about reducing the through a new wave of interest. Let this be an number of colleges per university to make them intellectual awakening. First make it yours, and centre of learning rather than just an then share it with others. This revolution can administrative body. either begin or end at your doorstep, I fervently appeal to you to carry the torch forward. Many of the senior educationists and researchers of the country are also of the view that the research Source: January 02, 2012/CHAKRA News output from universities has gone down in past few Are Indian Universities academic bodies or decades and a major reason is the professors and just administrative set ups? researchers associated with the universities are spending more time in administrative works rather The number of universities in India, post than their primary job. Even the vice chancellors independence has grown many folds and so did have very less time to think on improving quality the numbers of colleges affiliated to them. This and quantity research as they are busy in can be attributed to Government of India’s policy management related issues of the university. to create world’s largest system of higher education by providing sufficient funding. As in Manohar Chellani, former Secretary General of 1950-51, number of Universities in India were 30 Education Promotion Society of India (EPSI) said, while now it has grown to nearly 400 which “India has a large number of universities, if number includes central, state, deemed and private of colleges per university is reduced it will help in universities and presently Indian higher education good and effective control and to manage a system is the third largest in the world. Still, the university good administration is required. It irony is that none of the Indian universities are becomes difficult for a university to focus on ranked among the top 100 higher education research and other learning activity if it has large institutions globally. number of colleges as most of its resource go in managing the administration.” The institutions that have made a mark at the global platform are IITs and IIMs and the reason is On the other hand many of the Vice Chancellors do that they are more focussed on teaching and not think that by reducing the number of colleges research rather than administrative work because per university the university will become centre of they are small and independent body. Thus learning. academicians say that if the number of colleges Dinesh Singh, Vice Chancellor of University of per university gets reduced, the universities can Delhi, while speaking to India Education Review, become centre of learning and can focus more on said, “It has nothing to do with reducing the academics and research. number of colleges per university, the professors Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister of Education, and researchers in the university will have to Assam, during a recent meeting of Central willingly take up the research work and the Advisory Board of Education stated that most of university should encourage them for this, the the university has at least 150-250 affiliated administration and academics are two different colleges and universities only conduct www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 45 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION things. I don’t think that if small universities are ages six and 14, has come under fire for its formed they will do more research.” attention to school infrastructure rather than Though some of the state governments are learning results. However, we believe that the Right turning some of the colleges into universities and to Education Act is timely and appropriate. Until a recent example is Presidency College in Kolkata Indian schools become safe, accessible and being upgraded to Presidency University. interesting, the state should be held accountable for providing education inputs. Prof. Ved Prakash, Chairman, University Grants Commission gave his suggestion by saying, “Every Some educationists find otherwise. “The only school and every centre of learning should be a accountability comes from learning outcomes,” centre of excellence. We have a programme Pankaj Jain, founder of Gyanshaala, a chain of low- wherein number of affiliated colleges can be cost schools in Bihar, West Bengal and Gujarat said decreased for which we have to have an approach in a phone interview with India Real Time. in which we can convert some of the good colleges Abhijit Banerjee, co-author of “Poor Economics” into universities like West Bengal government has and Director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty done by converting Presidency College into a Action Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of University, Orissa has done by converting Technology, agrees. “Given that it is a right to Ravenshaw College into a university. The other education and not a right to a seat on a school approach can be merging two or three colleges bench, the Act says much about what the school and converting it in a university and this can be premises should look like and nothing about how done to improve the quality and research output.” schools will be made to deliver a certain minimum It is clear from the above statements made by the set of skills to every child,” Prof. Banerjee said in a senior educators and key decision makers of newspaper column. various government bodies that even they do not On the face of it, this is an important and have similar view points on any single issue. appropriate concern: What is the point of investing However, everybody is admitting the fact that in schools, after all, if children do not emerge with some mechanism needs to be evolved to make useful skills and knowledge? It is worth pausing to universities an academic body rather than just an ask, however, if we are ready to demand learning administrative set up outcomes. In a country where going to school is Source: January 02, 2012/India Education Review often neither easy nor desirable, should we not first focus on getting children and teachers into India Journal: The Basic Shortages that classrooms and motivating them to stay there? Plague Our Schools While asking questions about what children are In a country where going to school is often neither learning in classrooms is important, should we not easy nor desirable, should we not first focus on first ask: Are we there yet? getting children and teachers into classrooms and Clearly, we are not. A 2006 survey by the National motivating them to stay there? Institute for Education Planning and Administration In 2005, one of us visited an informal school two found that 81,617 schools did not have a single hours outside Mumbai. Built by tribal villagers, it blackboard. At least 42,000 government schools consisted of a room made of twigs and dried operated without a building — a wonder made leaves. The teacher, who taught five grades in that possible by teaching rural children in the open and one room, motivated her students by promising using a single building for multiple schools in cities. the arrival of textbooks by the next available In Mumbai’s southern tip of Colaba, for instance, public holiday – first Independence Day, then one municipal school building runs eight schools Gandhi Jayanti and finally, Republic Day. When all across five different languages. those dates passed by, she said the books had not Put yourself in the shoes of a child. Would you walk come because the children had not behaved well one kilometer in the hot sun or across a highway in enough to get them. a crowded city to go to a school where the teacher, While subsequent investments mean this school blackboard, textbooks or all of the above are may not be representative of the system as a absent? If you then walked home to go to the whole, its poor learning environment is far from toilet, would you go back? It is not surprising, then, unique. Yet, there is an increasing shift in focus that student attendance is low. In 2008, U.K.-based among Indian educationists from improving education think-tank, RECOUP — Research learning environments to assessing learning Consortium on Educational Outcomes and Poverty outcomes. The 2009 Right to Education Act, which — conducted four unannounced visits through the makes education compulsory for children between school year to 160 schools in rural Uttar Pradesh

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 46 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION and Bihar and found that only 26% of enrolled The RTE Act is only a first step – ultimately we children in Bihar and 44% in UP actually attend must hold schools and the state accountable for school. children’s learning outcomes, as developed For the children who make it to class, there is a countries do with the OECD Programme for 20% chance that there will be no teacher to teach International Student Assessment that tests 15- them. Even when teachers attend school, they are year-olds globally on reading, analytical and other not particularly effective. life skills. But before we can talk about Indian children’s learning outcomes, we must first hold A recent central eligibility test to recruit teachers ourselves and our elected government accountable found that only 15% of 700,000 prospective for Indian schools’ performance. And given the teachers passed a test of knowledge of an eighth state of Indian schools, the indicators that measure grade curriculum, where children are 13 years old. these outcomes must start with the very basics. Some 25% of school teachers surveyed by RECOUP could not do a percentage sum and 45% The RTE Act works on ensuring that a child has the could not read Class IV text. Some 60% admitted right environment in which to learn. This must they have trouble answering children’s math continue to be our immediate focus. If Indian questions. When we fail to provide decent learning schools actually achieve all the criteria mandated environments to our children, they will fail our by the RTE Act, we may well find that the learning expectations of strong learning outcomes in outcomes we all want for our children naturally return. Our school infrastructure is incomplete, our follow. teachers are not well trained and the most Source: January 03, 2012/Blog WSJ vulnerable children and their families do not Why families pay the price receive the support they need to enable school attendance. No, we are not there yet. Seema Naveen and her husband, Aasheesh, did A 2010 Annual Status of Education Report, their homework before their young son, Ansh, conducted by child rights organization Pratham, started school two years ago. The Indian measured more than 13,200 schools on RTE immigrants, who believe that “a strong academic specifications and found that 63% still do not have education is of the utmost importance” opted out of working toilets and just a third of girls toilets their Buckeye Union School District in El Dorado work. It is unsurprising, then, that the Act Hills, and instead enrolled Ansh, in Golden Hills specifically mandates that schools must have School which is private. playgrounds, separate toilets for boys and girls, a Seema is pleased “Ansh is already reading chapter boundary wall, drinking water, books, teaching books like Percy Jackson in the first grade, and the hours and the like. The Act’s approach is other kids also seem to be a year ahead of their appropriate. The government should be held public school peers–I love the rigorous academics.” accountable for providing education inputs rather According to the California Department of than the child for education outputs. The Act Education, nearly 10 percent of California school mandates everything that is needed for a school to children attend private schools, and the reasons function well – so that we can begin to hold our vary from class size and curriculum to a focus on schools accountable to these standards. values. “The pressure on outcomes is a misguided idea,” Student Teacher Ratio Optimizes Success says R. Govinda, vice chancellor of the National In the last four years, the average class size in University for Education Policy and Administration. California public schools has jumped from 20 “You have to teach the child, not just keep testing students per teacher in elementary school to 25 or the child,” he says. more. It’s more staggering in high school, where Measuring outcomes is important, of course, to 35-40 students now vie for a single instructor’s understand and monitor what our children are time. The teaching focuses on the middle skills of learning and how. In fact, there is a need for the class; students who struggle in school fall greater visibility of what is happening in further behind while kids who are ahead grow classrooms if we are going to start to expect bored. results from our investments. But extending or In private schools the average is one teacher for restricting donor money on the basis of learning every 18 students. Principal Jonathan Molnar of outcomes would mean penalizing students for the Courtyard School, which serves 140 children in failings of the school. grades pre-K to seventh, says their average class “It is the school that performs or does not size is 17. First grade teacher Viola Gragg of perform, not the student,” says Mr. Govinda. Golden Hills School in El Dorado Hills says of their www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 47 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

200 pre-K through eighth grade students, there is Viola Gragg says that private school environment only one class of 20 students per grade level. In benefits the teachers too. “We’re allowed to thrive,” such an environment, she says she can get to she says. “After spending so much time preparing know her students and work one-to-one with them kids for standardized tests in public schools, regularly. teachers have little time to teach anything more. Funding Equals Enrichment Here, standards are just our minimums, we’re not held back by them.” According to a 2005 Harris Poll, 93 percent of Americans believe that the arts are a vital Pam Livesey, who also taught in public schools, component of a well-rounded education. Research says there is more cooperation and less tension in supports that belief, showing that participation in private schools. She credits her school’s success to arts and other enrichment courses outside the strong parent participation and partnerships core curriculum sharpens cognitive skills, improves between the school and families. math and science functions, and helps children Seema Naveen is happy that her son is fulfilled socially. academically at school so she does not have to In tough economic times, enrichment programs in supplement in the evenings and on the weekends public schools are the first to go but private like many parents she knows. “When he gets home schools which don’t fall victim to state budget from school he can just be a kid and play,” she cuts, are able to maintain their programs. says. According to Admissions Director Moira O’Brien, Source: January 03, 2012/Sacramento Parents St. Francis High School emphasizes enrichment 10 Questions for the Dean of Admissions of and exposure to the arts as much as they do the University of Pennsylvania academics. Boasting its own dance company, the all-girls parochial school has three orchestras, Guidance on American college applications for three choirs, and a renowned sports and arts readers in India from The Times’s admissions blog program. In spring 2009, The New York Times started a blog At Sacramento Country Day School, fourth grade called The Choice to demystify the process of teacher Pam Livesey is proud of her school’s state- applying to American colleges and universities, and of-the-art technology and computer lab, and that paying for it. The blog has since offered countless students get PE every day and Music every other tips and reams of news on all aspects of the day. 100 percent of Sacramento Country Day’s American college admissions process to an students are accepted into college. audience of students and their families, as well as Building Character to their counselors and to college admissions officers themselves. Nearly 78 percent of the students enrolled in private schools in California attend schools with a In an acknowledgment of the growing and religious affiliation, which often serves as a passionate interest Indian students have in springboard to broader ideas. At St. Francis, for American universities, the offerings of The Choice example, Ms. O’Brien says that theology is treated blog will now be featured regularly on India Ink, as an extension of social studies. though customized for an Indian audience. We’ll Focus on values extends to the community as well. look at everything from the importance of “We make girls think about giving back at St. standardized test scores to what a liberal arts Francis,” she says “and we often talk about what it education really means — and we want to hear means to be a ‘St. Francis girl’.” O’Brien adds that from Indian students who are looking at American the single-gender environment at St. Francis universities and their parents, about the questions fosters friendships. “The girls at our school seem they may have along the way. kinder to each other and more supportive because As our inaugural feature, we drafted a list of 10 they aren’t dealing with the drama that often questions about applying to elite American colleges comes in a co-ed school.” from India, and then put those questions to the At Golden Hills School, education is character- admissions officials from the University of based. “If character is there, academics will Pennsylvania, an Ivy League institution that is one follow,” says Viola Gragg. Character education of the most prestigious and competitive in the classes meet weekly, and cross section of students United States. They are Eric J. Furda, dean of are combined to focus on traits like citizenship and admissions, and Patrick Bredehoft, regional director team work. of admissions. (As it turns out, the two men are scheduled to be in Mumbai from Jan. 13 to 15, to Happy Teachers, Happy Kids meet with alumni, recently admitted students and www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 48 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION school counselors.) What follows is an edited Q.On a related note: Will there, in fact, be only so version of our exchange: many Indian applicants, more or less, who can be Q. To what extent is the process of applying to be accepted each year? Is there, in effect, an upper an undergraduate at the University of limit for the number of applicants you will accept Pennsylvania, and other selective American from India and other countries? If so, how does the colleges, similar for applicants from India (and figure for India compare with the figure from other foreign countries) when compared with the China? process for American applicants? To what extent is A.India is typically in the top three for admitted it different? students by school country. Inherent in the college A. As with other international regions, the most admissions process is a degree of selectivity. significant differences for students applying from Although there is no upper limit from any one India (as compared with their counterparts in the country, the class size at Penn is 2,420 students, so United States) are likely to be: varying levels of that is our enrollment upper limit. English preparation (particularly academic English, Q.How hard-and-fast is the Jan. 1 deadline for since most Indians get exposed to some of the applicants from India and other countries, language in school), inconsistent SAT/test considering that some may wait to hear from preparation and most of all, limited and even universities closer to home before seeking out a inaccurate information about American schools. school like the University of Pennsylvania? What Admissions officers also have to be sensitive to sort of resources do you make available to potential cultural context around extracurricular applicants who want to visit the school before opportunities, grading policies and family applying? expectations as they relate to choices like A.It’s true that the extreme competition for a place intended major. None of these issues appear to be in the top Indian schools, coupled with demand for a major obstacle to applicant success in India, university places that significantly outstrips supply, though, where we’re seeing large numbers of is causing more Indian students to consider qualified applicants. applying to U.S. schools (as reported in The New Students and families should also be aware of the York Times). However, our strongest applicants are financial aid policies at the schools to which they still choosing US schools because they perceive the are applying. Is the school need-blind? What is the value of a U.S. education that includes breadth of availability of financial aid for international intellectual exposure through a broad based liberal students who are admitted? arts curriculum, incredible potential for Q. How does the University of Pennsylvania undergraduate research and unparalleled balance the competing desire to assemble a opportunities to gain preparation for leadership on freshman class that has a diverse range of a global scale. students from non-American countries, with what There is also a rapidly growing number of families would seem to be the primary mission of serving who can consider a U.S. college education as a an American clientele? viable financial investment, which has promoted A.In terms of diverse recruitment, we’re doing strong interest in Penn (and our peers) in India. We extensive on-the-ground work to ensure that we have our deadlines for a reason — so we have a not only admit a robust cohort of Indian students reasonable amount of time to make very difficult each year, but that these students reflect the decisions. If there is a personal reason or regional diversity in India. Geographically, Penn is context (extreme weather) which would make a recruiting from cities across the country, and deadline a hardship, we would certainly consider expanding efforts beyond the major cities (not just giving some reasonable flexibility to the date. Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore, etc.). For international students, some students will India is a country comprised of multiplicity of submit their applications and then save the time ethnicities, languages and professional/socio- and resources for a visit after they are admitted. economic backgrounds, and we’re committed to For students who cannot make a visit from India, the idea that our Penn cohort should reflect that Penn’s Office of Admissions makes frequent visits diversity. As an American institution, we do have a each year, which include open forums for students responsibility to our local Philadelphia region and and parents. to the nation as a whole. Having an internationally Q.How many applicants overall applied to the diverse institution benefits all of our students, University of Pennsylvania for the current freshman from America and abroad. class, and how many were accepted? How many applied from India, and how many were accepted? www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 49 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Has the percentage of Indian students, and A.Founded in 1992, the Center for the Advanced applicants, changed significantly in the past Study of India (CASI) at the University of decade? Pennsylvania is the only research institution in the A.Penn’s applicant has grown by 55 percent over United States dedicated to the study of the past five years, and the pool from India by 80 contemporary India. The University of Pennsylvania percent in that same time. For the class of 2015, has been at the forefront of area studies since 31,663 students applied to Penn, and 3,931 were 1942 when Prof. W. Norman Brown pioneered the admitted. (That is an admission rate of just over study of modern India, a full 15 years before area 12 percent.) studies appeared on any other U.S. campus. That From India, 460 students applied, and 42 were legacy continues at the School of Arts and Sciences admitted, for an admission rate of just under 10 through the Department of South Asian Studies percent. Still, a growing number of students have and its South Asia Center, and the stellar holdings been admitted from India, with increasing of the South Asian Studies Collection at the Van diversity in terms of geography, number of Pelt Library. schools, ethnicity and professional/socio-economic Penn Masala, the world’s first and premier Hindi a background. cappella group, was formed in 1996 by a group of Q.Does the University of Pennsylvania provide Penn students. After breakthrough performances at financial aid for applicants applying from India and Bhangra Blowout in 1998 and SASA 1999, the other foreign countries, and how is that process group drew sellout crowds in the U.S. and abroad. different than it might be for American applicants? Q.To what extent does the University of Are admissions need-blind in both cases? What Pennsylvania recruit in India, and do you bump into sort of financial information does the university other American colleges when you do so? need to determine a student’s financial need? A.Penn’s Regional Director of Admissions for India, A.Although we’re still need-aware for most Patrick Bredehoft, was amazed at the number of international students, we have seen growth in the schools (U.S. and Canada) that were actively endowed funds available for Indian students, along recruiting in India this fall. Counselors at one with the growing availability of financial aid for school in Mumbai told him that they had seen more international students in general. Penn has a than 50 visitors from different colleges and strong commitment to fully finance all students universities in the preceding month. He often found who are admitted. This includes a loan-free himself sharing time (or nearly overlapping) with financial aid package, so students can graduate other school representatives throughout his travels debt-free. Between $6 million to $8 million per in the country. Penn continues to travel broadly and year has been awarded to international students. frequently to India, particularly when you factor in Q.What advice would you give to applicants from the significant recruitment bring done by our India in particular when applying to the University alumni volunteers as well. of Pennsylvania, and other selective private Q.Can you list a few recent alumni from India? colleges in the U.S.? Is there any common theme A.Penn alumni from India are leaders in all fields of you see among Indian applicants and how could a endeavor. We do however want to respect their student from India stand out? privacy. But any Penn alumni reading this blog can A.In general, Indian students tend to put forth certainly contribute ideas about their Penn strong applications in nearly every respect. The experiences. two of the most common issues and areas for Source: January 04, 2012/New York Times improvement are: 1) Recommendations (which India poised for great structural change says often tend to be brief, vague and short on details Montek Singh Ahluwalia that help to define the applicant as an individual) and 2) Essays (which frequently err on the side of The country has witnessed remarkable growth over presenting an extensive resume of the years and the young graduates of today will accomplishments, rather than highlighting the find themselves in a prosperous India which unique experiences or perspective of the individual promises to have five times more and greater applicant.) structural changes, said Shri Montek Singh Q.Do you have any special groups or facilities for Ahluwalia, Dy. Chairman of the Planning South Asian students or Indian students on Commission of India, while delivering the campus? Do you have a variety of South Asia- Convocation Address at the 7th Annual Convocation related courses? of KIIT University on January 6.

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 50 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Six eminent personalities of the country were Expressing best wishes to the recipients of Honoris conferred degree of D.Litt. / D.Sc. / D.Law Causa Degree and the graduate students, (Honoris Causa) by KIIT University. The recipients Chancellor Prof. R. P. Kaushik explained the of Honorary Degrees are - Dr. D. Y. Patil, Governor challenges that higher education in India is facing of Tripura (D.Litt.), Mr. Ram Jethmalani, Sr. today. Advocate, Supreme Court of India & Member of Earlier in his report, Vice Chancellor Prof. A. S. Parliament-R.S. (D.Law), Prof. C. N. R. Rao, Kolaskar said that the University has taken Chairman, Scientific Advisory Council to Prime initiative to give impetus for research on the Minister (D.Sc.), Mr. H. M. Nerurkar, MD, Tata campus by establishing a center of innovation and Steel (D.Sc.), Dr. Narendra Jadhav, Member, research with seed money of Rs. 5 crore. "The Planning Commission of India and National University takes its social responsibility very Advisory Council (D.Litt.) and Mr. Pinky Anand, Sr. seriously and ensures that no qualified student Advocate, Supreme Court of India (D.Law). Prof. applicant is denied higher education for want of C. N. R. Rao received the degree in absentia. financial resources," he said, while informing that Presenting a comparative picture of the growth, free education has been provided to more than 750 the country has witnessed, Ahluwalia said "India students many of whom are tribal or otherwise did progress at a slow pace because, while the socially disadvantaged students. GDP growth was only 3.5%, the population growth Speaking on the occasion Dr. D. Y. Patil was more than 20%. In the 60s, the growth was congratulated the young graduates and urged them slowest and this continued in the next twenty to work for those who have been left behind in the years." Though some economists are skeptical process of development. Dr. Narendra Jadhav said about the growth because of the present slow graduates have a role model in Achyuta Samanta down, yet in the next 20 years Indian economy is and try to emulate him. Mr. H. M. Nerurkar bound to witness an annual growth rate of 8 to 9 expressed gratitude to KIIT University for percent per year, he said, elaborating that the bestowing the honour on him. population growth has slowed down from twenty Ram Jethmalani urged the young graduates to use percent to 1.4% per year and this trend will the science for the good of the society. "Science continue. stands at the crossroads today. The whole planet is "In contrast to slower growth for the last 45 years, going to become a graveyard unless science the last nine years have seen tremendous growth develops some mechanism to fight the menace of in the economy. In addition to the structural religious fanaticism," he said in his acceptance changes, technology is also changing much faster. speech. Calling Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT The transmission of the technology is even faster," & KISS as the Bhismapitamaha, the eminent lawyer Ahluwalia explained. In the sixties and seventies hailed his endevour of providing education to India was being considered as a developing 15,000 tribal students in KISS as outstanding. Ms. country, but the global perception about the Pinky Anand expressed humility and thanked the country has changed now, he said, adding that in University for the Honour. the changed situation the country is expected to Source: January 06, 2012/India Education Diary be the third largest economy of the world. "It is predicted that by 2030, after China and USA, Good science will come with risky research’ India will be a major economic power," he said, Dr Baldev Raj, former director of the Indira Gandhi while emphasizing on the quality of education. It is Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, tells D. not quantitative growth alone that will take the Daniel Raj that ‘good science’ will come with higher country forward, but it should be combined with a spending, and urges the government to set goals qualitative growth of education and knowledge, he and targets in newer areas of science, particularly stated. Underscoring the need for Public - Private energy Partnership in the field of education, Ahluwalia Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently said that commended the efforts of KIIT in creating an India’s position in the world of science has excellent infrastructure and for giving the country declined, and that China has overtaken India. How a value based education. Hailing the efforts of Dr. do you think we should enhance science education A Samanta and KIIT, Ahluwalia said that KIIT and scientific output? provided a beckon and showed the way how China is a bigger economy and spends more than private players can take up the responsibility. "It is two per cent of its GDP on science and technology, a remarkable experiment that has been made by whereas we spend only 0.9 per cent. If we move up KIIT by creating KISS," while expressing the the to two per cent, I think it is only a matter of time best wishes for the young graduates passing out. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 51 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION that we will equal China or possibly do better. To Scientists should not be cheated, but be respected say that the relative position of the country has and encouraged, and given due credit. declined is not related to our competence but Should private and public companies be given a tax related to how much we spend. We need to break to make them spend more on R&D? How can increase the number of scientists and give them the private sector be roped in to finance research in more job opportunities. The government should be pure science? Apart from pharmaceutical generous in improving the funding for good companies, few see any profit in getting into institutions. The results will be excellent if the research. funding is good. Small institutions should also be Policies are helpful, but spending should come from funded in proportion to talent. If the R&D funding within. Many companies have not realised the is increased, then India will do better. importance of R&D, especially those in the Also, big funding is needed to meet the mega manufacturing sector. The Tatas realised the challenges in the country like energy, which is the importance of this early and are doing well. Not basis for everything as it has a direct impact on many Indian industries saw the point; hence, it is every other research. Also, less bureaucratic the foreign companies that are investing in R&D systems are needed when it comes to science. The here. India is a developing country and we cannot audit system for science should be there, but it depend on technologies from outside. We need to should be different from the others so that develop our own technology. Companies should students can undertake risky re-search work, no understand this and should themselves invest in matter whether they come out successful or not. R&D without waiting for the government to help. There should be more autonomy. We also need In the last five decades, advances in science and good science manager, who motivate others in the technology have come mainly in “government team. Good patents come only when there is risky science” — the nuclear area, defence science, research and there is good funding for the agriculture. How can this space be expanded? research. These indicate the need of the hour for The government funded those areas. They were big Indian science. challenges before the country. The government Educational institutions and R&D labs have not should now identify other major challenge areas always worked in tandem. They stand separately. and fund them. We should note that in spite of Do you think this strategy will work? “government science”, many technologies did not That is true, although there are some that do work reach the public domain, and society is yet to closely together. But this has to increase multi- benefit from them. Efforts should be made in that fold. As the challenges increase, the people in R&D direction. find that they need new ideas, that they need As someone who now heads a renowned group of more young people to contribute to research educational institutions whose history goes back a output. So they go to educational institutions. century, how do you think experts like you can When the challenges are not huge and the time contribute to the advance of science education? frame for development is long, then there is a For the past six months, I have been with the PSG problem, meaning there is no pressure to grow. institutions in Coimbatore. It is not difficult to be a The government should pose the challenges and good scientist. I come from a poor economic be ready to fund in that area. It should present a background. But I had the desire to do well and target. Most major innovations come from interacted with people and learnt the fundamentals students. Without students, there won’t be great of science well. Appropriate teachers in educational science. And without good teachers, there won’t institutions should be identified and sent to be good students. That’s clear. research institutions so that they may become How should the government incentivise research experts and teach their students. Teachers in so that the science and technology pool from educational institutions should teach through their universities does not look for greener pastures own example. away from science? What do you think can be done to motivate Scientists need dignity and respect. Many leave students to get involved in research? science not because they run after money, but They should be exposed to good teachers, good because of the environment. Some-times the scientists and successful people. Students need to facilities are lacking, and sometimes scientists feel interact and spend time with them so that they cheated, i.e, when the work is truly theirs but the develop a scientific mentality. credit goes to someone else. Good science Do you think recruitment by IT companies from managers should encourage, not restrict. well known educational institutions, especially www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 52 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION engineering colleges, curtailed the number of balance, 80% of the resource will be unemployable. students aspiring to do research? Hence, the urgency for skill development and To a certain extent. But I feel parents have played employability,” explains Paul. the greater role. As scientists, we convince the Vijay Thadani, CEO, NIIT Ltd, which runs NIIT Yuva students, but not the parents. Parents feel their Jyoti (NYJ), a joint venture between NIIT and children will be happy if there is more money, and NSDC, says that NYJ aims to provide industry and pressurise them into opting for such jobs. job-specific training to around 70 lakh Indians by Source: January 08, 2012/Deccan Chronicle 2022 across sectors like retail, IT/ITES, banking Skill India and financial services, education and training, media and entertainment, healthcare, telecom and The Indian government has set a target to skill 500 hospitality. million people by 2022 Though the 500-million target is stiff, experts in the In India, approximately 12.8 million people join field believe that it is achievable. As Manish the job market every year. This number comprises Sabharwal, CEO, TeamLease, points out, “Our people who are highly skilled, who form a demographic dividend will become a demographic minuscule part, and who are semi-skilled or not debt if we do not achieve the targets of the skilled. The last category is the bulk of the National Skill Policy.” population entering the workforce every year. The current skill capacity of the country is about five Business minded million — a deficit of more than seven million Some companies are also focusing on the growth of annually. entrepreneurs. Muralidhar Rao, CEO, Future Challenges Learning, a Future Group company, says that they have factored entrepreneurs in the skill plan. Dilip Chenoy, CEO, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), which was set up as part of Out of a target of 7 million people to be skilled, 5.6 the government’s national skill development million will be placed/employed, while 1.4 million mission, says, “Skilling 500 million people by 2022 will be self-employed, who will in turn, generate is a challenge. The 34 training partners that we more employment through their businesses. The have approved of till now will put in a capacity of company is looking at providing training in the 11.2 million per year. We might even create excess unorganised sector like carpentry, masonry, besides capacity in the short-term, which will even out in the sectoral skill development. the forthcoming years.” In accordance with the government’s National A large number of companies engaged in skill Policy on Skill Development, NSDC is setting up education in the country are fully or partly funded sector skill councils, to create a labour market by NSDC. For a project to be approved, says information system and assess market demand and Chenoy, it must meet certain criteria. type of jobs available, ensure that people passing out of these institutes are industry-ready, among “The first requirement is scale. We evaluate if the others. Seven sector skills councils have been promoter has experience in developing scale, if the approved to date while another 30 are in different model is scalable, and whether it is financially phases of implementation. feasible. The second criterion is that 70% of the Overseas partnerships and collaborations are also people that are trained should get employment — an important step, which result in the exchange of and if there is a mechanism in place in the learning. “Our first engagement was with the UK in proposal to ensure that. Third, the training should the area of sector skills councils where experts be industry relevant, and the model, sustainable,” from the UK worked with us to develop the Indian he says. model of the councils. Agencies and experts from Considering the fact that only about 20% of Germany, Australia, Canada, France and Japan, college graduates today are deemed employable, besides Switzerland, are also looking to work with Santanu Paul, CEO, TalentSprint, feels that for a us. We plan to join forces and take the initiative country that produces close to 30 lakh graduates ahead towards fruition,” concludes Chenoy. every year, there is a major issue if 24 lakh are Source: January 09, 2012/Education Times unemployable. “Consider the irony: by 2020, the number of college graduates is expected to rise Faculty shortage may pose hurdle to four-year between 75 lakh and one crore annually; in the course plans same period, research shows that about one crore To prime college students for careers in research new jobs will be created in the IT/BFSI segment. and make undergraduate education more eclectic, Although it looks like a perfect demand-supply top universities in India are tweaking their three- www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 53 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION year bachelor’s degree programmes, in some According to central government data, the 42 instances introducing four-year courses, closely central universities considered to be key to the modelling the US system. country’s university system, including the Experts, however, say that given an all-round University of Delhi, have nearly one-third of deficit of faculty across universities in India, such teaching posts vacant. initiatives are unlikely to yield significant benefits A recent task force of the ministry of human unless more funds and faculty are earmarked for resource and development said the lecturer-to- such programmes. student ratio in the country is 1:20.9, against Last week, Dinesh Singh, vice-chancellor, 1:13.5 recommended by the University Grants University of Delhi, said his institution will begin a Commission (1:12 for postgraduate students and four-year programme next year. In August, the 1:15 for undergraduates). Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, will It added that nearly 100,000 teachers will be enroll the second batch for its four-year bachelor required annually over the next decade to meet of science programme. India’s burgeoning college education demand. While four-year courses are the norm in In an address to the Indian Science Congress programmes such as engineering, the new Association last week, Prime Minister Manmohan programmes are aimed to be more flexible, Singh said China had “overtaken” India in research diverse and research-oriented and will do away and Indian universities had to accelerate output to with the existing tradition of forcing students to catch up. choose their academic specialization in the first Aditya Narayan Mishra, a professor of the year itself. University of Delhi and former president of the Crucially, they also attempt to integrate the Delhi University Teachers’ Association, said the traditional bachelor’s and master’s honours university’s undergraduate programme proposal programmes, reducing the time students spend to was in the “idea stage” and it “must face the get both the degrees by a year. academic scrutiny before getting implemented”. “By making graduations courses four-year, the In 2001-02, according to Mishra, the university university wishes to promote incisive education introduced four-year bachelor of information with a practical orientation,” said Singh. technology and bachelor of information science Students will also have the option to quit the courses, but abandoned these in spite of a good programme at various points of the academic cycle response from students as well as the industry. and can leave with diplomas depending on the Mishra said the shortage of teachers will affect any number of courses completed. new academic plan. Many teaching posts were Chandan Dasgupta, dean, undergraduate vacant in the university, according to Mishra, and education, IISc, said the first year of the institute’s the university had just begun the process to fill initiative was a success. “We got great students in around 3,000 vacancies. “After all the our inaugural batch last year and they’ve done appointments, the four-year course can be put to very well. At the end of four years, these students debate and discussion,” he said, adding that no would be fit for PhDs and don’t need a separate idea could be introduced without a debate. master’s degree,” he said. The extra teaching load wasn’t an issue at IISc, While many Indian universities such as IISc and according to Dasgupta. “As an institution we are the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research allow well-funded, well-staffed and won’t need extra students with at least four years of undergraduate faculty just for this programme,” he said. education to enroll for doctorate programmes, Professors certainly have more teaching most universities in India require a two- or three- responsibilities, but most have welcomed it, he year master’s degree. added. “The students are encouraged to collaborate early on with their faculty on research projects.” “Those rules are still there, but it’s unlikely that our students would want to opt for such New labs for undergraduate students and new programmes. Many top-ranking universities in personnel to man these labs were being recruited, India and abroad would be happy to accept them,” Dasgupta said. said Dasgupta. Dinesh Singh, too, was confident teachers wouldn’t Some, however, say the requirements of such be stretched. “Though the university has a sizable programmes—an eclectic choice of subjects, more teachers posts laying vacant, the new model will labs and more teachers—could put more stress on not put any extra load on teachers. We are devising India’s short-staffed universities. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 54 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION a way to use our optimum resource and my As American institutions face growing challenges teachers will support me,” he said. that include less government funding, more federal G. Raghuram, director, Birla Institute of regulation and increasing competition abroad, Aoun Technology and Science, Pilani, which offers said the U.S. is also in the midst of an “explosion of integrated four-year undergraduate degrees in the knowledge” that is generating new businesses and sciences, said faculty crunch is a nationwide industries and shifting the needs of students. problem and institutes introducing integrated To address this changing landscape, Northeastern courses ought to dismantle old ones so they don’t has established a system of regional campuses face a manpower crisis. across the country. Aligning Northeastern’s “In Pilani, we integrate these courses with our strengths with the demands of each region’s engineering programmes so that students acquire economy, the campuses will offer flexible, “hybrid” a wide experience. For example, somebody master’s degree programs that integrate both studying physics still learns engineering. This vast online and classroom learning, a global view and exposure makes them better acceptable to customizable curricula. industry,” Raghuram said. Aoun said the U.S. higher education system has Anurag Behar, vice-chancellor of the Azim Premji thrived with an open, meritocratic, innovative and University and a Mint columnist, said while IISc’s risk-taking model, as American universities entered four-year course seemed well thought-out, similar into a social compact to educate students who go plans by other universities didn’t make sense. on to improve society through research and other avenues. But he said the challenges of the 21st “The three-year graduation programme in Indian century are forcing institutions to revisit this universities is largely mediocre, but merely compact, in which colleges look beyond the increasing the duration may not be the solution,” traditional boundaries of place, and engage private he said. “I think the university system needs to and public partners to achieve these goals. reform a whole lot of things and turning three-year courses into four-year ones could be one of them.” “This is the way American higher education needs to move forward in order to survive and to thrive,” Source: January 09, 2012/Live Mint Aoun said. The incorporation of experiential Shaping the future of higher education learning — a hallmark of Northeastern’s education model — is also becoming increasingly important to In his keynote address at the College Board students by adding valuable, real-world experience. colloquium, Northeastern President Joseph E. Aoun outlined how American institutions can meet Speaking of the globalization of higher education the challenges of the 21st century. and the increasing demand for higher education worldwide, Aoun cautioned against the “gold-rush Higher education in America is at a watershed mentality” that often drives overseas campus moment in history, in which U.S. institutions have expansion by U.S. institutions. Aoun quoted an a critical role to play in shaping the future and education advisor to the Indian prime minister who meeting new challenges, Northeastern University said the American model of higher education, “is President Joseph E. Aoun said in his keynote not scalable, not affordable, not sustainable and address on Saturday at the College Board not adaptable.” Colloquium in California. The colloquium continued on Sunday, as Aoun The stakes are high and the opportunity is great,” “ participated in a conversation about major trends Aoun told an audience of 240 educators and affecting the direction of higher education and the administrators from colleges and universities challenges faced by individual institutions. The nationwide and school district superintendents discussion included the presidents of the University from the West Coast. of California, Spellman College and Columbus State The annual event brings education leaders Community College, as well as the College Board’s together for serious thinking and spirited dialogue vice president for higher education relationship concerning critical issues facing higher education. development. This year’s theme was “Embracing the ‘New The College Board is a nonprofit organization Normal’ ” — and attendees praised Aoun for connects annually with more than 7 million challenging educators to question historical students and their parents, 23,000 high schools assumptions of higher education and operate from and 3,800 colleges to provide a path for students a global perspective by searching for progressive to college opportunities. models around the world. Source: January 09, 2012/ North Eastern Education

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 55 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Student access soars, but challenges remain opportunities with the jobs that the Indian economy is creating," he told University World India's efforts to increase higher education News. participation have paid off, with the gross enrolment ratio (GER) or the proportion of school- "While the GER of Singapore is just 23%, it is one leavers aged between 18 and 23 years entering of the most advanced economies in the world." college-level courses, rising from 12.5% in 2007- The growth in courses and institutions is also 08 to close to 20%. uneven with engineering and management courses However, the rise in GER does not necessarily dominating the expansion. Few new institutions mean an increase in education quality or the have opened for vocational education and training. supply of skilled personnel, academics and policy- "Expansion is no doubt essential. It is also good makers have warned. news that more of our students are getting an The latest official figures released in this month opportunity to pursue higher education," said show 17.5% of the cohort entering higher Professor Yash Pal, chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru education in 2009-10. The figures computed by University in New Delhi. the University Grants Commission (UGC), are "But quantity without quality has been the bane of based on National Sample Survey Office data higher education in our country. We need graduates published last year. who can think, solve problems, create jobs and be According to UGC chairman Ved Prakash, if 2011 socially and emotionally capable. Our colleges are data is taken into account the enrolment ratio failing to do this." would be closer to 20%. On current trends it For industry, the rise in educated manpower means would reach 25% by the end of 12th Plan 2012- nothing without quality and higher proficiency. 17. "When we go for campus placements a majority of This rise has brought cheer to policy-makers, with students across Indian universities fail to meet India's Education Ministry emphasising its aim to minimum standards in presentation, personality increase the GER to 30% by 2020. The and communication. These are basic qualities that government's target was to achieve a GER of 16% any graduate education should equip them with," by the end of the 11th Plan in March 2012. said M Susant, director at Starcom Media Ltd in At the start of the decade, only one in 10 students Gurgaon, speaking as a recruiter of graduates. were in higher education. In 1980, India's GER "Even subject knowledge required for certain was just 5%. profiles is lacking," he added. In the past five years, 200 new universities and The increase in participation rate also fails to 8,000 new colleges have been set up, taking the highlight the lack of equity in access to higher higher education enrolment in India to a little over education. 15 million, around four million short of American While the national figure is impressive, the state- enrolments. level picture is uneven. Big challenges remain State-level participation rates are still to be But the good news ends there. released officially, but a study in 2011 by Ernst and The increase in the number of students opting for Young and the Federation of Indian Chambers of higher education only complicates the challenges Commerce and Industry showed Delhi leading the faced by the sector: teacher vacancies estimated to be table of best-performing states with a GER of as high as 30% to 33%, poor infrastructure and 31.9% in 2009-10, followed by Maharashtra, where low quality courses. the enrolment ratio was 25.9%. And some experts are cautious about the latest At the bottom were the north-eastern states of data. Tripura at 6.6% and Assam at 6.7%. Bihar, one of northern India's poorest states, had a GER of 8.5% "The increase in GER was expected. Several new and West Bengal 7.8%. institutions were set up in the private sector, with little contribution from the central government," The 12th Plan, which commences this year, "needs said Pawan Agarwal, higher Education adviser to to focus on equity. We need quality colleges, the Planning Commission. vocational institutes and universities in less accessible districts of Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, However, Agarwal argued, the fixation on GER is Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir misconceived. "A bigger challenge lies in how we and backward districts of the more prosperous cater to the aspirations of young people passing states," said Pradip Narayan Ghosh, vice-chancellor out of school; how we align higher education of Jadavpur University in Kolkata. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 56 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

"If we ensure that all sections of society are population estimate given by the MHRD in the getting the opportunity to access higher education, same report, UGC data on enrolments mean a expansion will become relevant." gross enrolment ratio of 10.6 per cent. Comment: Source: January 11, 2012/University World News Enrolments in higher education soaring? India needs affordable, scalable models of India's estimates on enrolments in higher development: Pitroda education and the gross enrolment ratios, as given Noted technocrat Sam Pitroda has highlighted the in the Statistics of Higher and Technical Education need to create new models of development that are (2009-10) of the Ministry of Human Resource affordable and scalable in terms of addressing the Development, Government of India, need to be problems of rural India. interpreted with caution. Looking at the figures carefully, one can make three alternative "The key challenge before us as a nation is to estimates on total enrolments and accordingly understand how the vast pool of young talent and gross enrolment ratios: emerging technologies can be put to effective use to solve problems of the poor rather than the rich," (a) enrolments in all formal (conventional) under Pitroda, who is adviser to the prime minister on graduate, post graduate, including post-graduate public information infrastructure and innovations, diploma programmes and MPhil and PhD said in a video-conference address to the 2nd programmes; Indian Student Parliament, which began here on (b) plus enrolments in post school diploma Tuesday. programmes; and The three-day event, organised by the MIT School (c) plus enrolments in open university of Government (MITSoG) with support from the programmes. state department for higher and technical Normally only (a) can be considered as enrolments education, serves as a platform for young in higher education (consisting of ISCED 5 and 6 representatives of universities from across the levels as defined by UNESCO), as (b) includes country, to express their views on key issues of enrolments in all post-secondary education concern faced by the country. programmes, which are post-secondary but not Union minister for sports and youth affairs Ajay higher education; and (c) is not generally Maken was the chief guest while Maharashtra considered, as enrolments in open minister for higher and technical education Rajesh universities/distance education programmes Tope and minister for sports and youth affairs belong to different age groups, with actual Padmakar Valvi were special guests. Veteran duration of studies not comparable to formal cartoonist R K Laxman was accorded a special education. felicitation on the occasion for his life-time Enrolments in distance education may also include achievement. dropouts who have not formally withdrawn or Pitroda, who is credited with having laid the deregistered from the programmes. foundation of India's technology and According to UNESCO (and UIS) only (a) is telecommunications revolution in the 1980s, appropriate. pointed out that despite progress, India still faces These three estimates give us three different the challenge of addressing the needs of 400 figures on enrolments, as per the same report - million people, who live below the poverty line, and 15.9 million, 17.3 million and 20.7 million; and the 300 million people, who are illiterate. respective enrolment ratios are: 11.5 per cent, "Pursuing growth is the only way to address these 12.5 per cent and 15.0 per cent. The MHRD report issues but we need the sensitivity to solve our quotes the last figure, giving an impression that problems the Indian way rather than rely on the we have already achieved in 2009-10 itself the western models of development," he said. "We also target set for 2011-12. need strong government to support the growth To add further to the complications and confusion, initiatives, considering that the coalition structure the UGC's Annual Report 2010-11 reports a figure tends to slow down the process of growth and of total enrolment in higher education in India in consumes precious time," he added. 2009-10 as 14.6 million, but does not give any Narrating his experience of leaving the US to be estimate of gross enrolment ratio, though it goes associated with India's mission mode programmes on repeating the target of the 11th five year plan under the then PM Rajiv Gandhi, Pitroda said that (15%), and that the ratio was much less for the country was able to shore up telephone scheduled castes and others. If we take the connectivity from 2 million in the late 1970s to the www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 57 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION present 900 million due to strong government operate in India. Therefore, a proper regulatory bill support and the energy, enterprise and like the Foreign Educational Institutes Bill needs to enthusiasm of young engineers. "We started with be passed into law by the Parliament with utmost little but focussed on local capabilities to build a urgency to protect the interests of the various huge telecom infrastructure," he said. stakeholders. Moreover, the Bill needs to be However, the challenge now lies in how to use this deliberated upon and debated thoughtfully in the connectivity to do things differently and address parliament for necessary revisions before passing. issues like disparities among the urban and rural The passing of the Bill is crucial for the urgently population, the rich and the poor and the educated required expansion and improvement of education and the illiterate, he said. "Technology is a great in India. social leveller and can go a long way in resolving Brooker’s article (cited above) enumerates several these issues," he added. pros and cons of the Bill and shows how various Pitroda said that as adviser to the PM on public stakeholders will be affected by the Bill. However, information infrastructure and innovations, there is his article focuses more on the technical and legal a greater thrust today on using information and aspects of the Bill. The purpose of this conversation communication technology for social services like is to reflect on the larger ideological and political linking 2,50,000 panchayats and creating a issues surrounding the Bill, which is important not network of universities, library and research and just for India but for the world. According to recent development institutes to improve education. world demographic statistics, India has one of the largest growing youth population compared to the "The education models are going to be different in developed world. This is being referred to as the the days ahead as teachers won't be required to Youth Bulge in the developing world. The challenge create and deliver the content," he said. Similarly, of developing enough institutions of higher the need will be to create an enhanced broad band education to cope with this explosion in the to deliver social services. "To do all this, we need demand presents a huge opportunity for foreign to think out of the box. We need to re-engineer institutions, as India on its own will not be able to our processes, redefine systems and focus on the cope. The education and training of India’s youth is young talent," he added. vital on a global scale, as Indian youth will be a Source: January 11, 2012/Times of India large part of the world’s labour force. However, Should Foreign Universities set up “shops” in India is still home to the largest number of poor India? people in the world according to world poverty indicators, and inequity is growing. Therefore, any In a recent article in the University World News, expansion and foreign collaboration plan should Nick Booker asserts: “India represents the take into consideration the way in which it might greatest opportunity in the world for higher prevent meritorious but poor students from education institutions. The government knows this accessing the benefits of elite foreign education and therefore rightly wants to protect the interests even within their own country. of Indian students from a gold rush of It can be debated that language within a diverse commercially aggressive institutions.” This Indian context also acts as a major hindrance for aggressive and even predatory behaviour of some collaboration and further increases inequity, institutions was also highlighted by notable higher especially for students coming from socially education scholar Philip Altbach, who argued in marginalized communities and non-English medium 2008 that “[Some participants are] prestigious schooling background. However, there could be an universities hoping to build links overseas, recruit opportunity here for both Indian and Foreign top students to their home campuses and Institutions. Just as most Indian students and their strengthen their brand abroad, but many more are parents from socially or economically marginalized sub-prime institutions: sleazy recruiters, degree families aspire for English medium education for packagers, low-end private institutions seeking to social and economic mobility; with a growing stave off bankruptcy through the export market Indian diaspora abroad, there is rising need for and even a few respectable universities forced by critical and contextual linguistic and cultural government funding cutbacks to raise cash knowledge about India, beyond the knowledge elsewhere.” Both these authors alert us to the dished out by globalized Bollywood. Contrary to dangers of allowing overseas institutions to popular belief, Foreign Language education is now operate in India without adequate regulation. But not only an issue of national security; it is also already, in the present, unregulated environment, becoming a major issue for the delivery of basic several overseas institutions have begun to human services like healthcare, education and law www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 58 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION enforcement. Here Indian Universities and to receive not just academic higher education academics can play a key role by collaborating (where supply is already far short of the huge with foreign universities in helping to build critical demand) but also quality vocational education linguistic and intercultural knowledge and to better facilitating future employability. It could bring serve the diaspora. Indian higher education quality teachers and programs to India. At the system has a strong humanities tradition and lot same time, it could exacerbate the issues of of interesting research is occurring in that area, inequity and allow dubious operators an entry, and which can enrich the understanding of the diverse increase unemployment. Therefore, it is important and hybrid Indian context. Such collaboration to have serious debate and give very careful would be crucial for future growth, stability and consideration to the Foreign Education Bill, and to peace, not just for India but for the world. do so urgently Scientific and technical education and research is Source: January 12, 2012/Ghife lagging behind the humanities in India. There has Lessons from American schools been a steady brain-drain out of the country from urban centers and those in rural areas have American schools offer a positive and safe remained hidden or suppressed for lack of environment for kids. The curriculum and level of opportunity. The Industries operating within India learning in schools are constantly monitored by are constantly complaining of skills shortage and government bodies too. We could learn a few poor workplace performance even with in-house lessons from their system. training. One significant cause of this is that higher Most American kids, even the rich, attend education institutions, including the IITs and IIMs, government schools in the United States. Education are suffering from a shortage of quality faculty. up to the 12th grade is free of cost. The medium of Collaboration with foreign Universities can help to instruction is invariably English. improve and expand scientific research and US schools have infrastructure better than our technical education. universities. With urban spaces least cluttered, It is to be also noted that students and parents zoning regulations very strict and almost every within India aspire to higher education for social child being ferried to school by transport, the mobility and economic mobility. However, Indian studying environment for children is highly safe. students have often found themselves at a loss The per pupil annual spending by the US after graduation, and university degrees have government is 10,499 USD. often failed to land them a suitable job. India has These are a few aspects that bear no comparison a large number of unemployed or under-employed with the scenario in India where resources are educated youth (some with multiple college and scarce and there is confusion of multiple linguistic University degrees). In recent times this problem mediums besides the three-language formula. has intensified as private bank loans for education Additionally, our system has to grapple with all are becoming readily available. Often gullible kinds of divides such as the rich-poor, urban-rural, students are realizing too late that the degree they slum-upscale, English-vernacular, and traditional- earned from a private institution on the strength modern syllabus. of a bank loan is not accredited and therefore they Granted that America is a first world country and are unemployable, resulting in defaulting on loan India is still under the ‘developing nations’ repayments. Banks are getting concerned about category. But some aspects that lend the American bad student debt and default much like in the US, school education system a cutting edge, need to be where concerns are being raised about sub-prime emulated. Lack of resources is certainly not critical student debt crisis like the sub-prime housing when it comes to emulating those aspects. crisis, which led to the crashing of the whole economy with ripple effects across the world. The Last June, when my daughter took her first child entry of foreign institutions could confuse the for admission into the Maercker School in education situation further, because it would be more difficult district no. 60 in the Willowbrook neighbourhood of for students and banks to know which institutions Chicago, I decided to accompany her out of are of high quality, and which degrees are likely to curiosity to have a firsthand understanding of the lead to better job prospects, unless a strong and American school system. This set me on an reliable accrediting process is put in place to help exploration taking me to almost 10 schools across both banks and students make informed the US. investments with confidence. What impresses you about American schools is the To sum up, the entry of foreign universities in overall focus on making the child extremely India could open doors for millions of Indian youth comfortable with the school’s ambience. The www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 59 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION enrolment form is accompanied by another form workshop while another class was engaged in eliciting information on the linguistic skills of the preparing a concept map for healthy living and child. ecosystem. Parents are asked to mention the languages in S Pembe, Principal at Canton Academy, a private which the child communicates with parents, school in a Detroit suburb, says that the American siblings, nannies (or caretakers), peers in a system does not insist on adoption of the gathering and with playmates. This prepares the prescribed syllabus, but there are fixed standards ground for a homogenising exercise in which the in matters of linguistic proficiency, knowledge of kids are divided into two groups; those who are Science and Mathematical skills. Evaluation is proficient in English and the ones who need special strict. Value-orientation is embedded in every coaching before they attain the proficiency to chapter. Diversity of existence in America is pursue the regular syllabus. A six-month emphasised both through textbooks and homogenisation exercise brings up the latter group programmes. There is simply no rote learning. on par with the former. Says Nader, Principal of Iklas School in another The teacher-student ratio is mostly 1:20, at the Detroit neighbourhood, run by an Afro-American most and ideally 1:17. Chairs and desks are community, “You are free to teach kids that arranged as the occasion demands, sometimes in Columbus was not necessarily the one who a crescent like fashion and in rows of twos or discovered America because there were people in threes. If need be, the children squat on the floor America even before Columbus who made the (which is mainly wooden.). The value orientation continent known to others!” begins with the kids being taught to lace their Laura, Principal of Rahmah School in Baltimore communication with five magic words such as (Maryland state) says, “Since the majority of kids please, sorry, pardon me, thank you and excuse in the area are of Indian, Arabic and Afro-American me. origin, additional languages such as Arabic, Hindi Some schools inculcate values clubbed under the and Urdu can be opted for in my school. Safi Khan, acronym TERRIFIC — Trust-Equality-Respect- an American of Indian origin, who runs Al-Huda Responsibility-Fairness-Integrity-Caring. Teachers School in College Park neighbourhood of Baltimore, explain these values with the help of anecdotes. says the area has nearly 30,000 children of Indian There are no fixed set of stories. Teachers are free origin and the school could include additional to choose such stories from a variety of resources languages and even chapters of history of the including their faith and religious books. countries to which the kid belonged to. Teachers are required to constantly upgrade their Khan says most parents were earlier afraid that knowledge and instructional methodology. Imad their kids would suffer if they attended a school Tibbi, Principal of Genesee Academy in Flint in the where linguistic curriculum carried some additional state of Michigan says: “Teachers are required to languages. “But we have proved them wrong. The secure re-certification every three years from the school has won the accreditation from the Middle State Education Department.” States Commission on Elementary Schools (CES- Doing leads to internalising MSA), a 120-year old body offering accreditation based on its rating of Quality Assurance,” she adds. Thanks to improved teaching methods, American students learn to internalise concepts when it is Whatever may be the curriculum pattern, all put to action. They grasp even the most schools will have to subject a report under the nettlesome concepts in Natural Sciences and National Assessment of Educational Progress Humanities, the lack of which compels a child in (NAEP) for periodic assessment of students’ India to mug up lessons instead of progress conducted by the National Center for comprehending. This is the hallmark of the Education Statistics and the US Department of American education system. Education. At the Canton School in Ann Arbor (Michigan), the The assessment covers areas of mathematics, children were working on book writing which reading/writing, science and more. NAEP results involved designing a title page for the book and are released in the form of a ‘Nation’s Report Card’. making cutouts of the characters they had This document becomes a reference point for envisioned for the content of their book. Students policymakers. The NAEP assessment is conducted of a geography class were working on a cutout of on representative samples of students at grades 4, the map of South America, marking the borders 8 and 12 for the main assessments and samples of and courses of rivers and fixing their flags. Fifth students at ages 9, 13 and 17 years for long-term graders were engaged in organising a writers’ trend assessments. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 60 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

These grades and ages were chosen because they The DOE consist of several bureaus, each of which represent critical junctures in academic is headed by a Joint Secretary on Joint Education achievement. The deplorable state of government Advisor. These officials are assisted by Directors, schools in India urges us to learn a lot from Deputy Secretaries or Deputy Education Advisors, American schools, where efficiency of teachers and who are the divisional heads. In terms, they are the level of learning are under constant further assisted by Under Secretaries or Assistant monitoring. We need to make the schools and the Educational Advisors, who have one or more sub- pedagogy child-friendly. divisions under them. Source: January 12, 2012/Deccan Herald The following is the list of such Institutions and Comprehensive Essay on the Structure of organizations which assist and advice the Central Indian Education System Government: 1. Central Board of Secondary Education, New School is the foundation of our education. The Delhi (CBSE) structure of school education refers to the ladder of education at school level. This can be visualized 2. Central Hindi Directorate, New Delhi (Kendriya from two perspectives viz. academic and Hindi Nirdeshalaya) administrative. 3. Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore Academic Structure: 4. Central Institute of English and Foreign In the country the common pattern of education Languages, Hyderabad (CIEFL) (10 + 2 + 3) was recommended by the Education 5. Educational Consultants of India Ltd., New Delhi Commission later on it was supported by NPE and 6. Kendriya Vidyalava Sansathana, New Delhi CABE in 1972 after passing a resolution. The (KVS) Government of India subsequently appointed a 7. National Council of Educational Research and national level committee on 10 + 2 + 3 pattern. Training, New Delhi (NCERT) Now a-days we have a common pattern of 8. National Council of Teacher Education, New Delhi education throughout the country, consisting of (NCTE) primary education, elementary education ranging 9. National Institute of Adult Education, New Delhi from standard I to VIII and divided into primary and Jr. High School, IX. X as secondary education 10. National Institute of Public Cooperation and and XI, XII as Sr. Sec education. Other forms of Child Development, New Delhi education have also been developed so as to meet 11. National Institute of Open Schooling, New Delhi social demand. These include, among others non- (NIOS) formal education, open school education, 12. Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, New Delhi vocational education, and commercial education 13. All India Council of Technical Education, New etc. Delhi (AICTE) The Organizational Structure: Education is the 14. University Grants Commission, New Delhi joint responsibility of States and the Centre It has (UGC) been developed to manage education at different levels viz. Centre, State, District Block and at 15. National Institute of Educational Planning and Village level (Panchayat level) Administration, New Delhi Central Level: 16. National Sports Authority of India, New Delhi Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) 17. National Literacy Mission, New Delhi is the main governing agency of Govt. Of India at 18. Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) central level it was renamed from Ministry of State Level: Education in 1985. It is responsible for all matters At State level the position differs at different levels. of pertaining to education including overall Some States have separate Departments/ planning of programmes and providing guidance Ministries' like Higher Education/ Technical for their implementation. Education/School Education etc. The MHRD is headed by a Cabinet Minister of the The structure of School Education at the State level Union Government the department of education, under the MHRD is under the charge of a Minister has given as under: of State who is advised at the official level by the The following are the responsibilities of the State secretary to the department, assisted by an Government regarding School Education: additional secretary and Educational Advisor on academic and policy matters of education. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 61 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

(1) To establish and maintain educational ' any seat or seats in course or programme of study, institutions. by the institutions; (2) To recognize for the establishment of schools. Further, every person who at the time the offence (3) To provide grants to schools managed by| was committed was in charge of, and was private governing bodies. responsible to, the society or trust for the conduct of the business of the society or the trust, as well (4) To pass laws for different types of school as the society or trust, shall be deemed to be guilty education. of the offence and be liable to be proceeded against (5) To supervise school through DEO's and and punished accordingly. Supervisors at Block level. On the other hand, “no suit or other legal (6) To recruit and place teachers in schools. proceedings shall be instituted against the (7) To prescribe the syllabus and supply books. Government or officer or authority or person (8) To establish school boards to conduct exercising powers or discharging functions under examinations. this Act for anything which is in good faith”. (9) To provide special assistance to poor and NO LOFTY INTENTIONS backward students. Thus, the aim of the Bill is essentially negative and (10) To organize training programmes for teachers not positive. Nowhere does it aim to make our and supervisors. professional institutions world class. When Mr. Sibal took over as minister, he repeatedly expressed his (11) To initiate action against teachers and schools dismay over why no institution in Independent in case of any lapse. India had produced a Nobel Prize. (12) To feed information to the centre about Such noble objectives and concerns are absent in schools. the proposed Bill. For a start, let us consider what Source: January 12, 2012/Preserve Article changes in national policy may make higher Bill on education lacks vision education internationally competitive, even capable of producing Nobel Prize winners and the like. In The proposed law on malpractices in higher that case, we should look at how great institutions education sidesteps the issue of making our thrive abroad. For instance, Harvard University has universities world-class. Its norms are not in sync an Endowment Fund of about Rs 100,000 crore and with systems in other centres of excellence. there are many other similar institutions in the US. On April 19, 2010, Mr Kapil Sibal, Union Minister They did not acquire such large endowments for Human Resource Development, proposed a without accepting donations and incidentally, using new Bill called ‘The Prohibition of Unfair Practices them as what we would call “capitation fees”. in Technical Educational Institutions, Medical Fundamentally, is there anything wrong in letting Educational Institutions and Universities, Bill, institutions accepting donations – with donors 2010.' He got it approved by the Cabinet a month naturally getting some returns? That is one issue. later on May 19. The Bill has not yet been passed, probably due to strong opposition from the parties That is, can institutions accept donations and, as a concerned. Their primary concern lies in its quid pro quo, offer to include their names on their statement that “current national policy supported buildings, name professorships and even let them by several judicial pronouncements is against have some admissions in return? There may not be commercialisation of higher education”. any objection these days to the former two. (When I was Director at IIT Madras even that was We will consider three of the objectives of the Bill: prohibited!) The third, relaxing admission criteria is prohibition of accepting admission fee and other more controversial. fees and charges other than such fee or charges ADMISSION CRITERIA for such admission as declared by the institution in the prospectus for admission ; Nowadays, a student may be admitted under relaxed criteria on the basis of caste (or soon prohibition of admission without specified probably even religion) and nothing is expected in admission test for selection of the students where return from the candidate for the concession such test is required to be conducted as per shown. Many of them take it as their natural due, appropriate statutory authority; and do not even care to support students from prohibition of demanding or charging or accepting, their own community. directly or indirectly, capitation fee or demand by Suppose, instead, a person offers a substantial donation, by way of consideration for admission to donation that will provide scholarships to needy

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 62 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION students, or endows a chair at a high salary, or preferences of the high-scoring candidates supports a laboratory, or pays for the construction indicates that NLSIU is still the top school of choice of a building. for prospective law students. Should or should not the institution accept such Nothing works like success. Since NLSIU was set donations and even offer admission to the donor's up in 1986, 13 other national law schools, based on ward if found as fit as a student of the reserved the same blueprint, have come up across India. category? That is the first issue. Earlier this month, faculty and students at the The second issue pertains to the procedure for Gujarat National Law University moved into a brand admissions. The proposed Bill lays enormous new 50-acre campus in Gandhinagar in which the emphasis on entrance tests. I know of a case of construction cost the government Rs150 crore. Last the daughter of a student of mine who got an June, Ranchi’s law school received 100 acres and invitation from Harvard University, to the effect before that Raipur’s law university got 60 acres. that the university was happy to note that she had The latest one to be set up is in Delhi and ministers obtained very high SAT scores and would like her have promised at least one in each state. to consider Harvard as a possible option for future N.R. Madhava Menon, founder of NLSIU, was asked study. The university made it clear that the letter by Ram Jethmalani to reform legal education in was not an offer of admission but only an India in the 1980s. expression of interest in pursuing further the But what is of growing concern is that the schools possibility of the student getting selected. represent an island of success. Please note that Harvard did not offer admission The success of the 20 national law schools has not but hinted about only its possibility. Thus, the SAT percolated deep enough to pull the other 880 law score was used as a shortlisting criterion and not colleges up by the bootstraps as it were. Instead as the criterion for selection. In fact, the candidate they continue to serve outdated course material, is asked to submit the names of three teachers to teaching styles and processes that are out of sync whom the university could refer for further with the new reality of a rapidly growing economy evaluation of the personality and other attributes that has diverse demands being made of the legal of the applicant. profession. In this respect, our university institutions are, to This was adequately summed up in May 2010 by put it mildly, arrogant. They never ask the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while speaking at teachers who know their students well what they a function to usher in second-generation reforms in think of them. In the Western system, those legal education. According to him, besides a few referee reports are crucial. They are used to “islands of excellence”, law colleges in India were discover what social and extracurricular activities “a sea of institutionalized mediocrity.” the applicant is good at. The genesis The overseas university may then ask the Admission to any of the national law schools is a candidate to appear for a personal interview. highly competitive process—about 1,000 seats are Then, based on SAT scores, performance in the available in total. CLAT’s level of difficulty has school examinations, referee reports and the increased progressively over the years, as have the evaluation by interview, the candidate is selected. number of applicants (19,000 took it in May last It may be noted that no suggestion was made in year, up from 16,000 in 2010). And as with any the invitation letter about the fees the candidate competitive entrance exam, a parallel ecosystem of would be expected to pay. Such a comprehensive coaching classes and crash courses flourishes in process for admissions is expressly prohibited in several towns and cities. the Bill. It was not always so. The evolution has been unlike Source: January 13, 2012/The Hindu Business Line that of institutions of excellence such as the Indian Law education: islands of excellence Institutes of Technology (IITs) or Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). There exists a vast gulf between the top 20 law schools in India and the remaining 880 in terms of Nearly three decades ago, N. R. Madhava Menon quality of education was teaching at Delhi University’s faculty of law. He received a missive from Ram Jethmalani, then If the alumni record is a measure of the success of chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI), asking an institution, then the National Law School of him to spearhead an experiment in Indian legal India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, has done education. An enthused Menon took a three-year exceedingly well for itself. Further, a review of the sabbatical from Delhi University to join the BCI. He recent Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 63 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION proposed a new model for a law school and India bar exam to raise the quality of law graduates travelled through many states in search of support entering the profession. This caused an uproar to set it up. across the country from some of the 60,000 law “But there were no takers (among the graduates being churned out annually. governments). Eventually, my three-year tenure But Subramanium refused to relent. finished and I returned to Delhi University,” recalls “The fault, I think, is that it is far too easy to Menon. become an enrolled advocate at most of the high The BCI later sought an opinion from the then courts,” said Subramanium, who quit as solicitor attorney general K. Parasaran on the proposed law general, and consequently chairman of BCI, last school, asking that it be recognized as a deemed year. “It seems to me that the universities which university under the University Grants Commission depend largely upon the number of pupils who Act. After the attorney general’s assent, Menon come to them are likely to be in favour of the was recalled and he struck a deal with continuation of a situation where the university Ramakrishna Hegde, then chief minister of degree carries such potential subsequent Karnataka, leading to Bangalore being chosen as advantages. Moreover, for the purpose of the location for the first national law school. maintaining or increasing the supply of pupils there The start was anything but promising, with the is a temptation to a university to make it easier school, in the initial stages, forced to operate from from time to time the conditions of the qualifying a couple of abandoned garages on the fringes of examination for law degree.” the Bangalore University campus. Things changed Subramanium suggested derecognizing law however, after the ordinance setting up the colleges that were not up to the mark. He said the institute became a law (National Law School of intention was to reduce the number of law colleges India University Act, 1986). Armed with 12 from 900 to less than 200 by merging some of handpicked faculty members and two grants of them with each other. In September 2010, the BCI Rs50 lakh each from the state government and the refused to renew the licences of 50 law colleges on Bar Council of India Trust, respectively, Menon the grounds that their faculty did not have the managed to obtain deemed university status. Six requisite qualifications to teach. years later, the first batch of 50 graduates The second all-India bar exam was held on Sunday. emerged from NLSIU. Impressed, the government All law graduates now have to pass the exam in directed Menon and his team to replicate the order to be eligible to practice law in the courts. success in Kolkata. The concept of national law schools was also being Narayanan Ramaswamy, head of KPMG’s education nudged along as model institutions in the push practice, believes NLSIU brought a sense of pride toward legal education reform. The syllabus was and legitimacy to legal education. “The large accordingly tailor-made for the teaching of law, positive effect is on the profession. Legal Menon explained. education has got a bit of respect. Earlier, it was Law should be studied in a social context,” he almost like in chartered accountancy where the “ education did not matter, only the apprentice part said. “It is a matter for social engineering, a policy did,” he said. instrument for governance—you must study law in relation to economics, sociology, history, The objective philosophy, public administration. Initially, it was A key reason for which the national law schools thought that it would be the same economics were set up was improving legal education taught in a BA economics college that would be through model law schools. Today, there still exists taught in law school. But we decided to teach a vast gulf between the top 20 law schools in India economics in relation to law—to better understand and the remaining 880. Unlike the national law contracts, torts and other legal principles. Similarly schools and a handful of private ones, these for political science, psychology, history and other colleges and departments that are housed in social sciences.” several universities have not altered the method or Besides emulating the Harvard Law School teaching process of teaching of law in decades. Many of method using case law, the course was designed as them follow the old system—a three-year a shorter integrated five-year law degree fine- programme that students can take up only after tuned for law students, saving them one additional they have obtained an under-graduate degree. year of college. Stung by the PM’s comments in 2010, then The ultimate test solicitor general and BCI chairman Gopal Subramanium immediately put in place an all- www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 64 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Whether by design or otherwise, the national law By extension, places on the bench at the high schools have produced multi-disciplinary law courts or the Supreme Court are still a long way graduates. They’ve been hired by the Supreme off, although this will happen with time. Court and high court judges as law clerks, Magic “The national law schools have succeeded in Circle law firms in London, international agencies making law a popular career choice, but not quite such as the United Nations, arbitration firms in in contributing to the Bar and thereby to the Singapore, and even news organizations in India dispensation of justice,” Sondhi said. and abroad. The law schools have also spawned Nick Robinson, a fellow at the Centre for Policy academics and entrepreneurs who have dabbled in Research who has taught at NLSIU, Bangalore, and education, social work and philanthropy. the Jindal Global Law School, Sonepat, said the As Rahul Singh, a professor and alumnus of situation is more complex. NLSIU, said: “The alumni has really chosen to do a “I think it’s a little more grey than black and white variety of stuff—it is the broadest range of possible —the original mission of the NLS (national law career options that an alumni body could have schools) as I understood it was to create litigators chosen.” —particularly litigators for poor people. That hasn’t Corporate law has undoubtedly been the largest happened too much—although I don’t think you beneficiary of the national law schools. This is should discount those who do it, there are people partly due to good timing as these graduates were like Alternate Law Forum in Bangalore,” he said. lucky enough to see a boom in demand from Robinson encourages diversity among the alumni. corporate law firms that emerged to address the “If you think of the NLS as more of a lead school growing needs of a rapidly expanding economy. like Harvard or Yale—most of the alumni of Harvard Several of India’s top law firms employ graduates and Yale don’t go into litigation either—they go into of the national law schools as partners. firms, into government and academia. Counterpoint I don’t think that law schools should be only for The biggest criticism of the national law schools is cranking out litigators. In India itself, the whole that institutions funded by taxpayers’ money are freedom struggle was led by lawyers who joined churning out lawyers for large companies and rich politics. I’d be happy to see more NLS students clients. Critics also argue that many graduates going into politics or policy,” he added. leave for a foreign university or firm, thereby There have been criticisms from the Bar and creating a brain-drain like the IITs did, albeit sometimes from judges that graduates are not smaller. willing to take up lower-rung litigation or the join They contend that this makes the programme a judicial services. failure since a very small percentage of national But Ashok Parija, chairman of the Bar Council of law school graduates have contributed to the India, disagrees that the graduates can be blamed profession’s traditional areas such as justice for not choosing this option. delivery and litigation. “All these national schools are located in the state Part of the reason could be that litigation is an capitals and big cities—so you cannot expect these area that takes several years of experience to graduates to not go to the high courts or the master and hence graduates from the national law Supreme Court. One cannot expect them to schools are yet to make a proper mark in the relocate to small towns and start trial court work courts. It’s also a field that’s ruled by a handful of there.” highly paid, superstar lawyers. Parija added that the graduates’ “arguments for No graduate of the national law schools has been joining law firms is simple—they get better salaries. designated as senior counsel by any high court or Some of them have loans to pay back. the Supreme Court yet. But there are some contenders according to observers at the Bar— There have been instances of some of these among them Dayan Krishnan, a Delhi advocate graduates moving to practice or to teaching after who graduated in 1993 as part of NLSIU’s first four-five years (of working in a law firm). batch. Blaming them totally cannot be very fair—the Bar He was recently appointed standing counsel for should also find ways and means to look after the Delhi government and has been known to them.” While NLSIU has had a significant impact on handle prosecution work. Another is Aditya India’s legal system, it’s still not clear whether this Sondhi, a 1998 graduate who practices in the success can be emulated to reorder the scale and Karnataka high court in Bangalore. scope of legal education in the country. Source: January 13, 2012/Live Mint www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 65 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Bills spark fears of 'police raj' on education alone will bring down the cost of education while improving quality. Three bills the Centre has lined up to regulate higher education have been described as He said the dearth of medical seats was driving “draconian” by private institutions, which fear their students to study in horrible conditions in Russia, enactment will bring the segment under a “police China and Eastern Europe, and suggested the raj”. government open more medical colleges and hospitals in collaboration with the corporate sector. Two of the bills provide for jail terms and stiff fines to ensure that colleges and universities obtain “The entire higher education system needs to be accreditation before — and not after — starting delicensed and only accreditation based on the courses and refrain from making exaggerated courses and infrastructure should be insisted upon. claims to attract students. If the IIMs can fix fees, why not the private sector? For instance, under the “unfair practices” bill, If the government fixes the fee, there will be no private institutions can be fined Rs 1 crore and competition,” Viswanathan said. their promoters sent to prison for publishing He said the unfair practices bill was initially aimed misleading brochures or charging capitation fees. at abolishing capitation fees but had now been The third bill mandates that state-level and saddled with impractical clauses. national tribunals, rather than the courts, should He claimed it would be difficult to root out rule on disputes in the sector and imposes tough capitation fees without tackling government-level penalties on anyone flouting the tribunals’ orders. corruption: such as in the grant of building Critics claim that under the unfair practices bill, permission, university affiliation or accreditation. promoters of institutions can be jailed for the The new accreditation bill is equally draconian, said smallest of oversight. Viswanathan, who had once been with the AIADMK “If a college claims 50 lakh sqft area of facilities in and had served as a Tamil Nadu minister in the its brochure but provides only 45 lakh sqft, it will early 1990s. be considered an unfair practice. Accreditation is now optional and institutions Similarly, if an unqualified teacher is appointed, or usually obtain it after teaching courses for a few a teacher claims he has not been paid the years but the bill says accreditation must come first promised salary, even that would invite stringent and teaching (and enrolment) later. punishment,” said G. Viswanathan, chancellor of Viswanathan said the promoters of existing VIT University in Vellore. educational institutions, whom the bill gives a “A college can be accused of malpractice even three-year window to obtain accreditation, can now over a student’s allegation that his exam paper be jailed for two years if their applications get has not been evaluated properly.” rejected (unless they shut down shop). Viswanathan, who heads the Education Promotion “Such a clause is unheard of in any country and will Society of India (an association of private only prevent good people from entering education educational institutions) as well as the Association and drive away private investment from education.” of Self-financing Universities, contended that the The education tribunal bill, Viswanathan said, bill would stunt the growth of higher education in would make dispute settlement a long-drawn affair the country. because the tribunals lack the power to pass interim orders. “Since its implementation would ultimately be left to the state governments, which in turn will hand Viswanathan was particularly aggrieved that the Rs over the powers to police, it will leave every 1-crore fine under the unfair practices bill applies college and university at the mercy of the local even to arts and science colleges and polytechnics. police station,” he said. “These colleges have a monthly salary bill of Rs 5 “Such a situation does not exist even in to 10 lakh. There is no sense of proportion in communist countries like China. In effect, higher levying a fine of Rs 1 crore on such colleges,” he education will be converted into a police raj.” said. However, the bill makes the offences non- He said the managements of arts and science cognisable, which means the police need a court colleges had not yet realised that they come under warrant to arrest the accused. the clause “since the human resource development Viswanathan suggested the government should (HRD) ministry has not publicised these encourage competition in the private sector, which contentious issues”.

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 66 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

UGC representation on VC selection panel subject to conditions: Prakash The University Grants Commission's (UGC) representation on the search panels for appointment of new vice-chancellors is completely dependent on the provisions of the acts and statutes of the university concerned, UGC's officiating chairman Ved Prakash said here on Saturday. "If the concerned university's act and statutes provide for UGC representation then the search panel should have one, but if it does not, then there is no requirement for such representation," Prakash said, while speaking to reporters at the Bharati Vidyapeeth deemed university. The Bombay high court has asked the UGC to present its stance on the issue in the wake of a writ petition challenging the ongoing selection process for the University of Pune's (UoP) new VC. The petition challenges the process on the grounds that the search panel has no UGC representation. Recently, the state government had submitted to the high court that the new VC's name won't be declared till the court settles the petition, which is Ministry officials said the bills were meant due for next hearing on January 23. primarily as deterrents. They said stakeholders from the private sector, such as the Viswanathan- The UGC is expected to take a position on the state headed Education Promotion Society of India and government's revised norms for appointment of the Indian Council of Universities, had deposed VCs, introduced in 2009-10, which reduced the before the parliamentary standing committee and number of members on the search panel from five the panel had conveyed their fears to the ministry. to three, among other things. According to the new process, the search panel is headed by an eminent They said the 11th Plan document had envisaged a jurist or retired high court judge. The other two mandatory accreditation system, and that the Sam members include a well-known person, jointly Pitroda-headed National Knowledge Commission nominated by the academic and the management had in 2007-08 recommended institutional and councils of the concerned university, and the department-wise ratings in higher education. principal secretary to the Higher and Technical Similar suggestions had come in 2009 from the Education department. Yashpal committee, formed to look at ways to This leaves no place for a UGC representative on achieve “renovation and rejuvenation of higher the panel. The petition in the high court challenges education”, they added. the validity of a search panel that does not have The assessment and accreditation will be done by UGC representation. recognised agencies on the basis of norms Earlier, addressing the 13th convocation of the prescribed by the National Accreditation Bharati Vidyapeeth, Prakash called for efforts to Authority.Currently, the National Assessment and take higher education to the rural and remote Accreditation Council (NAAC) has been rating areas of the state where the gross enrolment ratio institutions and the National Board of Accreditation (GER) is poor compared to the urban areas. The (NBA) evaluating professional and technical GER refers to the percentage of eligible students programmes. However, they have had little to between age 17 and 22 who access higher show for. education. Till March 31 last year, the NAAC had accredited He said, "Good quality education still remains elite only 161 of the country’s 504 universities and in nature as it is not accessible to a bulk of eligible 4,371 of its 28,000 colleges. The NBA had population. The government should realise the accredited 35 per cent of the nearly 17,000 limitations of the private sector and strengthen professional and technical courses. higher education in areas which are vital in Source: January 15, 2012/Telegraph India www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 67 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION improving the nation's competitiveness through develop faculty will ensure that India’s education fundamental research. Public funding for higher dream remains just that. education should be substantially increased to “This is a factor that we didn’t really study very ensure that it keeps pace with the growing carefully,” said Chiranjib Sen, one of the authors of enrolments." the report and a professor at Azim Premji In all, 6,718 students were awarded graduate, University in Bangalore. “It’s obvious that the postgraduate degrees, including 40 students who faculty quality and numbers is a very crucial received their Ph.Ds. Twenty-nine students were element in the quality of education.” awarded gold medals. Mr. Sen says it is “a criminal thing” to increase the Founder chancellor of Bharati Vidyapeeth number of colleges and universities but not the Patangrao Kadam, vice-chancellor Shivajirao faculty to run them. “If you can’t even manage Kadam, former UGC chief Arun Nigavekar, former what you have, how are you going to manage even vice-chancellor S F Patil, Uttamrao Bhoite, more?” registrar G Jaykumar were present. This is a problem that has touched even elite Source: January 15, 2012/Education Times organizations, including the Indian Institutes of India's Education Dream Risks Remaining Technology. The government, which funds them, Just That has decided to increase the number of campuses to 15 from 7. Meanwhile, it has had to significantly At one of the better colleges in India’s capital, increase the number of students to meet quotas for there is just one large room for 140 faculty certain disadvantaged groups that were announced members to sit and have a cup of tea or grade in 2008. At I.I.T. Delhi, for instance, the size of the papers. “If even half show up, there aren’t enough student body has jumped from 4,800 to almost chairs,” said Ghazala Amin, a history professor 7,000, almost entirely because of this policy. Where there. “There is no other place to work. In this there should be 700 faculty members, or one for situation, how do you expect teachers to work?” every 10 students, there are only 450, said M. The lack of amenities for faculty members is not Balakrishnan, the deputy director in charge of the only issue. After 30 years at Jesus and Mary faculty. College, which is one of dozens administered by He says the problem is not one of insufficient the University of Delhi, Ms. Amin makes the resources. Instead, there is a “huge equivalent of $22,000 a year — less than half of misunderstanding” about how quickly his what some of her better students will make in organization can grow and attract faculty. “The their first jobs. New opportunities offer not just research institution cannot grow very quickly,” he more money for graduates but also mobility and said. “It takes time. We need to provide housing flexibility, which are virtually unheard of for faculty and research facilities for them to want to be here.” at most of India’s colleges and universities. Whatever the reason, the fact that there is a All this means that India is facing a severe faculty shortage “has an enormous impact on shortage of faculty members. But it is not just low research,” said Krishna Jain, a retired physics pay and lack of facilities that are being blamed. professor from I.I.T. Delhi. “You spend so many According to a government report published last hours teaching, so how can you do research?” year, a massive expansion in higher education And, Mr. Jain said, it is now more difficult to attract combined with a poor supply of Ph.D.’s, delays in good students to support faculty in research recruitment and the lack of incentives to attract programs for one simple reason: “Salaries cannot and nurture talent has led to a situation in which compete with the business world. So everyone 40 percent of existing faculty positions remain wants to do an M.B.A. There’s too much emphasis vacant. The report’s authors, mostly academics, on what you earn.” found that if the shortfall is calculated using the class size recommended by the government, this In India, it was the information technology industry figure jumps to 54 percent. that allowed millions of Indians to earn good salaries. But this skewed the expansion of Experts say this is the clearest sign that India will engineering education, said Mr. Balakrishnan of fail to meet the goal set by the education minister, I.I.T. Delhi, because small private colleges Kapil Sibal, who has pledged to more than double accounted for the bulk of growth. And because the size of the country’s higher education system these were mainly money-making enterprises, a by 2020. They say that while the ambition is “large number” of the professors there were not, in laudable, the absence of a long-term strategy to his opinion, qualified to teach. “So the faculty shortage may be actually 80-85 percent.” www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 68 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

For him, addressing the faculty shortfall problem is This type of quality constraint, coupled with low one part of the larger question of who should lead salaries for academics and the overwhelming rise of the huge expansion of India’s higher education private colleges whose fees keep most students out system. Mr. Balakrishnan said India could do this are not good signs, said Ms. Amin, the history only if education was subsidized. To maintain professor. She, for one, did not believe that India quality, he said, a massive investment by the was on target to increase its gross enrollment ratio government was needed, as well as some support — the proportion of eligible students actually from those businesses that wanted to launch enrolled in colleges and universities — to 30 institutions in the “philanthropic mode.” percent, from 12.5 percent to 13 percent, by 2020. Dinesh Mohan, his colleague at I.I.T. Delhi, said “On the one hand, you want inclusive growth. But only the government could ensure that everyone on the other, fees will go up” if the expansion of received a quality education. “There is no example private education continues unabated. “With the from any country in the world where it has not kind of situation there is, I don’t see that quantum come from government,” he said. leap happening. I don’t see it happening in the next Citing the United States as an example, he said 25 years.” initiatives such as the G.I. Bill and public funding And Kavita Sharma, the former principal of a of even top private universities ensured that no college that is part of the University of Delhi, also academically excellent student was denied did not expect to see higher education grow at the admission. “What you have is a churn — classes rate India’s leaders talk about. She said that while mingling,” he said. “Innovation comes out of this the contents of the report on faculty shortages process. A large proportion of faculty in schools were not new, the fact that the government had and universities comes from this. They’ve published it could help to change things. “Now that understood the importance of poor people entering it’s out in the open, out-of-the-box solutions will the system for better academic output. Rich also start coming. I do see that every day higher people’s children do not typically become education is being written about, talked about, professors.” which didn’t happen some years ago.My own Closer to home, Mr. Mohan added, there was an feeling is, as your universities improve, then the even bigger success story in the making. “You can profession will be attractive.” make the quantum leap,” he said, using a phrase Mr. Balakrishnan of I.I.T. Delhi, meanwhile, was used often by India’s education minister, “and more optimistic. He felt India could enroll as much China has shown that.” as 25 percent of eligible students in colleges and He said that while India produced about 700 universities — about twice the current figure — by engineering Ph.D.’s last year, about 6,000 earned the end of this decade. “Tangible changes are such degrees in China. Mr. Mohan said China’s happening,” he said. “The debate that has large state-owned firms had been asked to hire happened in the last few years has taken people more Ph.D.’s, and that the same needed to be out of their comfort zones. There is more done in India. This, he added, would see many consensus across the board that we need to scale more Indians enrolling in such programs, some of quality education.” whom would enter academia. Source: January 15, 2012/The New York Times Mr. Sen, the professor in Bangalore, said the Chinese had not only increased capacity but RESOURCE quality, too. “They have been doing all kinds of experiments to make sure that their academic Tribal areas undergoing socio-economic institutions maintain standards, at least in the transformation in Himachal: Study technical field,” he said. For example, some Some of the tribal areas in Himachal are universities have two tracks in the same undergoing significant socio-economic development department. “If you publish or have a degree from changes in terms of literacy, educational patterns, abroad, you will be put into the top track. And if societal structure and other aspects according to a you don’t perform, you’ll be dumped.” study, 'Socio-economic development in tribal areas This is not yet happening in India, according to Mr. of HP since inception of tribal sub-plan 1974', Jain. “At a place like Harvard, only one in five conducted under the aegis of Indian Council of appointments gets tenure,” he said. “In India, Social Science Research (ICSSR) by a geographer once you make an appointment, after a year of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) Dr B R you’re assessed. There’s a probation period of one Thakur in the five notified tribal regions of Kinnaur, year, but that’s just an eyewash.” Lahaul, Spiti, Pangi and Bharmaur. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 69 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Thakur said, "Anthropologically HP cannot be communication facilities, besides other aspects." A termed a tribal state, yet it is inhabited by total of 1,132 households were surveyed in the five significant tribes which constitute nearly 4% of the regions for the study taking samples of villages total population. The tribal socio-cultural milieu in from each region and the sampling criteria included Himachal is unique in terms of certain cultural one community block headquarter, the largest aspects. Facing hostile topographical conditions, populated but accessible village and the largest extreme cold and dry agro-climatic conditions, a populated but inaccessible village as per census non-industrialized economy and limited basic 2001. infrastructural facilities, the tribes are not Source: January 03, 2012/Times of India homogenous groups and some continue to be backward despite development programmes India’s next big growth bet: seriously, you having been implemented." need to study this Polyandry and polygamy marriage practices are on If you’re hunting for a sector that promises big the decline and the incidence of child marriages growth in future, you could do with a little (or a lot has declined in almost all the tribal areas. About more) education. 64% of the residents of these sample households According to an Anand Rathi report, India’s talked in Hindi despite having their own tribal education sector ranks among the top 10 in value dialects. The proportion of nuclear families was terms. Households account for about 35 percent of higher than joint families, indicating a changing that spending, which is higher compared with other social milieu within the tribal region. Overall countries. literacy rates of the region have increased and female literacy has also increased significantly from 7.31% in 1971 to 50% in 2001 and gender disparity in this regard has declined. Enrollment in primary education has increased but it has not increased at the same pace in secondary and higher education. The housing and sanitation conditions have improved, particularly in Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti. There has been a continuous increase in the proportion of people living in 'pucca' houses, having toilets and in-house water connections in all the areas. There has been growth in LPG connections, TV sets, newspaper and cell phones. More people are exposed to communication and media facilities in Lahaul, Kinnaur and Spiti than Bharmaur and Pangi blocks, according to the The cost of educational services in India is one of study. The cropping pattern has changed in these the lowest in the world — less than one-sixth of the areas and traditional crops including small millet global average, notes Anand Rathi. The cost of have been replaced by pulses and non-food grain education in India is half of that in China, one- crops like apple. fourth of that in Mexico, one-tenth of that in The pace of transformation in the tribal region is Canada and one-fifteenth of that in the US. higher in Kinnaur, Lahaul and Bharmaur due to However, if measured in global average prices, suitable agro-climatic conditions and better yearly education spending in India, at $600 billion, accessibility. The cropping pattern of the region is is even higher than in the US, the brokerage said. still dominated by food grains except Kinnaur Public spending in education accounts for more district where apple cultivation continues to than 60 percent of overall education spending in dominate the cropping pattern. India. Yet, current educational facilities are Thakur said, "The study was conducted to assess inadequate in terms of both quantity and quality. social transformation of tribal people, social and As Anand Rathi notes, seats available for tertiary demographic characteristics, economic education are sufficient for just 12 percent of the transformation, modernization of agriculture, population in the age group that needs such changing occupational patterns, work participation education. In addition, perceived quality gaps are rates, workforce structure, physical and social driving even lower-income students to shift from infrastructural development in education, public education to private education. healthcare, drinking water, electricity, roads and www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 70 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Ragging: the Indian experience Ragging in our universities is still a brutal reality. A female undergraduate attached to the Ruhunu University has been suspended following a ragging incident that left a fresher semi-paralyzed on one limb. The alleged incident took place inside the university premises recently and the suspect student is alleged to have led a pack of seniors in the ragging session. It seems that we still have a long way to . go before the menace of ragging in our universities stops completely. Meanwhile, the government is determined to take stern action against the students continuing practice of ragging in the country’s universities, the Minister of Higher Education S.B Dissanayake said. The objectionable practice of ragging in higher education institutes has come under severe criticism from the civil society as it has caused several fatalities over the course of years at Sri Lankan universities. It has also increased suicide risks among the freshmen student population. Indian experience Given the serious budget constraints faced by the India has wide experience in handling the ragging government, large private participation is required issue and their experience is worth recounting. to create adequate access and imp India has made excellent headway towards rove the quality of education. minimizing the scourge of raggng in universities. With greater number of students pursuing private However, the problem is not yet fully solved. education, private investments into the sector are In 1997, the state increasing. Anand Rathi estimates the value of the of Tamil Nadu private education sector at around $30 billion first passed laws currently, and forecasts that it will expand to $45 related to billion by 2015. Why? Because the public sector is ragging. simply not equipped to meet demand for Subsequently, a education either in quality or quantity. major boost to Moreover, some key education bills are at different anti-ragging stages of deliberation in parliament. “The central efforts was given government’s pro-active stance and supportive by a landmark statements have created the impression that judgment of the private investment in education is reaching Supreme Court of inflexion point for explosive growth,” the India in May 2001, in response to a public interest brokerage says in its report. litigation filed by the Vishwa Jagriti Mission. The Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), following a directive by the Supreme Court, appointed a seven member panel headed by ex-CBI director Dr. R. K. Raghavan to recommend anti-ragging measures. The Raghavan Committee Report, submitted to the court in May 2007, included a proposal to include ragging as a special section under the Indian Penal Code. The Supreme Court of India interim order(based on the recommendations) dated May 16, 2007 made it obligatory for academic institutions to file official

Source: January 03, 2012/firstpost.com www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 71 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

First Information Reports with the Police in any * Every public declaration, brochure of instance of a complaint of ragging. admission/instruction booklet or the prospectus to This would ensure that all cases would be formally print these regulations in full. investigated under criminal justice system, and * Telephone numbers of the Anti-Ragging Helpline not by the academic institutions own ad-hoc and all the important functionaries in the bodies. institution, members of the Anti-Ragging Raghavan Report Committees and Anti-Ragging Squads etc. to be published in brochure of admission/instruction The committee has made several recomme- booklet or the prospectus. ndations. * Every student and his/her parents to file an (1) The punishment to be meted out has to be affidavit avowing not to indulge in ragging. exemplary and justifiably harsh to act as a deterrent against recurrence of such incidents. * The institution to prominently display posters detailing laws and punishment against ragging. (2) Every incident of ragging where the victim or his parent/guardian or the Head of institutions is * Anti-ragging squad to ensure vigil at odd hours not satisfied with the institutional arrangement for during first few months at hostels, inside institution action, a First Information Report must be filed premises as well as privately commercially without exception by the institutional authorities managed hostels. with the local police authorities. Any failure on the After admission part of the institutional authorities or negligence or * Printed leaflet to be given to every fresher deliberate delay in lodging the FIR with the local detailing addresses and telephone numbers of the police shall be construed to be an act of culpable Anti-Ragging Helpline, Wardens, Head of the negligence on the part of the institutional institution, all members of the anti-ragging squads authority. If any victim or his parent/guardian of and committees, and relevant district and police ragging intends to file FIR directly with the police, authorities. that will not absolve the institutional authority * Identity of informants of ragging incidents to be from the requirement of filing the FIR. fully protected. (3) Courts should make an effort to ensure that * Faculty members assigned to students to make cases involving ragging are taken up on a priority surprise visits and to maintain a diary of his/her basis to send the correct message that ragging is interaction with the freshers. not only to be discouraged but also to be dealt with sternness. * Freshers to be lodged, as far as may be, in a separate hostel block. UGC regulations Head of the institution, at the end of each academic In addition, the committee also directed that the year, to send a letter to the parents/guardians of possibility of introducing in the educational the students who are completing their first year in curriculum a subject relating to ragging shall be the institution informing them about these explored by the National Council of Educational Regulations. Research and Training (NCERT) and the respective State Council of Educational Research and Training Anti-Ragging Committee and Anti- Ragging squad (SCERT). This aspect can be included in the * Anti-Ragging Committee to be nominated and teaching of the subjects ‘Human Rights’. headed by the Head of the institution, and In 2009, University Grants Commission (UGC) consisting of representatives of civil and police passed UGC Regulation on Curbing the Menace of administration, local media, Non Government Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009. Organizations involved in youth activities, representatives of faculty members, These regulations mandate every college representatives of parents, representatives of responsibilities to curb the menace of ragging, students belonging to the freshers’ category etc. including strict pre-emptive measures, like lodging freshers in a separate hostel, surprise raids * Duty of the Anti-Ragging Committee to ensure especially at nights by the anti-ragging squad and compliance with the provisions of these Regulations submission of affidavits by all senior students and * Anti-Ragging Squad to be nominated by the Head their parents taking oath not to indulge in ragging. of the Institution for maintaining vigil, oversight The main features of the regulations are: and patrolling functions and shall remain mobile, alert and active at all times. Responsibilities of educational institutions * Anti-Ragging Squad to make surprise raids on Before and during admission and registration: hostels. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 72 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

* Discreet random surveys to be conducted support for collection of information and amongst the freshers every fortnight during the monitoring, and to coordinate with the State Level first three months. Monitoring Cell and University level Committees for * The Heads of institutions affiliated to a effective implementation of anti-ragging measures University or a constituent of the University to Anti-ragging movement submit a weekly report on the status of With the situation of ragging worsening yearly, compliance with Anti-Ragging measures and a there is emerging a spontaneous anti-ragging monthly report on such status thereafter, to the movement in India. Several voluntary organizations Vice-Chancellor of the University. have emerged, who conduct drives for public The Vice Chancellor of each University to submit awareness and arrange for support to victims. fortnightly reports, including those of the Online groups like Coalition to Uproot Ragging from Monitoring Cell on Ragging in case of an affiliating India (CURE), Stop ragging and No Ragging university, to the State Level Monitoring Cell. Foundation became the major Anti Ragging groups Complaint of ragging on the Internet. Among them, the No Ragging * First Information Report (FIR) to be filed within Foundation has transformed into a complete NGO 24 hours of receipt of such information or and got registered as Society Against Violence in complaint of ragging, with the police and local Education (SAVE) which is India's first registered authorities. Anti Ragging non-profit organization (NGO). These groups are working on issues related to ragging. * Head of the institution to forthwith report the Each of them is running anti ragging websites and incident of ragging to the District Level Anti- online groups. Ragging Committee and the Nodal officer. Source: January 05, 2012/Dailynews Institution shall also continue with its own enquiry and remedial action to be completed with-in seven South India Surges In Higher Education days. The Higher Education scenario in the Southern Responsibilities of University Grants Commission States of India have scaled new heights. In all (UGC) spheres of education, the knowledge par excellence * The Commission to verify that the institutions being imparted, has encompassed not only generic strictly comply with the requirement of getting the degrees but also vocational and technical affidavits from the students and their education. Several government initiatives, public- parents/guardians as envisaged under these private partnerships, and industry-institution Regulations. collaborations have proved to be an icing on the * The Commission to make it mandatory for the cake. With the escalation in educational institutions to incorporate in their prospectus, the achievements, Digital Learning magazine brings to anti-ragging directions of the Central Government you such initiatives and achievements, impact and or the State Level Monitoring Committee challenges of higher education with specific focus on Southern Indian States. * The Commission to maintain an appropriate data base to be created out of affidavits, and such Higher education equips the student with requisite database to also function as a record of ragging skills for furthering their career growth. Some of complaints received, and the status of the action the selected education best practices in Karnataka, taken thereon. Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have been highlighted in this report that have the potential of * The Commission shall make available the being replicated all cross the country. database to a non-governmental agency KARNATAKA * The Commission to include a specific condition in the Utilization Certificate, in respect of any Karnataka is widely acknowledged to be the leader financial assistance or grants-in-aid to any in Information Technology (IT). The Millennium institution, that the institution has complied with Biotech Policy, 2000 introduced by the Karnataka the anti-ragging measures. government seeks to lead the state into the next revolution in Biotechnology. Karnataka already has * The Commission to constitute an Inter-Council the training and knowledge base necessary to drive Committee to coordinate and monitor the anti- the revolution. The immediate challenge is to ragging measures in institutions across the nurture innovation, promote entrepreneurship and country. facilitate effective technology transfer to the end * The Commission to institute an Anti-Ragging Cell sers. Various policies of the government have within the Commission to provide secretarial sought to promote the same. Karnataka has www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 73 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION unparalleled human resources in various areas of to promote scientific research at the highest level technology. The state accounts for about 15% in frontier and disciplinary areas of science and share of higher education in the country. It is also engineering. the pioneer in liberalising higher education. Out of National Centre for Biological Sciences the 82 engineering colleges, only 2 are in the government sector. The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore is a new center of the Tata institute of The Millennium Biotech Policy, 2000 Fundamental Research, Mumbai. The mandate of Karnataka’s Biotech Policy, inaugurated in 2001, NCBS is basic research in frontier areas of biology. has spured the growth of the biotech industry in The research interests of the faculty are in the the State and encouraged extensive research and following areas:Biochemistry, Biophysics & development in the various opportunities the field Bioinformatics, Genetics & Development, Cellular offers. The objectives of the Millennium Biotech Organisation & signaling, and Neurobiology. Policy include: To spread awareness about the Biotechnology Centre The Centre is the first of its investment opportunities in biotechnology, kind in the country in the public sector, aiming at genomics, bioinformatics, biofuels, contract integrating all spheres of biotechnology for the research, etc., to the entrepreneurial community. cause of horticulture development. The activities of To sustain and maintain the present pre-eminent the centre include: large scale cloning, in vitro position of Karnataka and Bangalore in the field of conservation, crop improvement, quality control biotechnology. To outline a set of incentives and facilities for biofertilizers, biocontrol agents and concessions for the biotechnology industry to biopesticides, residual analysis of chemical attract investments to the State. To provide pesticides and fertilizers, soil, water and leaf specific infrastructure as well as enhance human analysis, training in mushroom handling & resources for the development of biotechnology. To processing and dissemination of information on encourage the growth of bioinformatics in horticultural biotechnology. Karnataka. To provide an appropriate institutional IBM Centre of Excellence framework to achieve all these objectives. The Government of Karnataka signed a IBM India Premier Institutions to promote e-learning initiative based on Open The premier position of Bangalore in the Source Technology. Under the MoU, IBM has knowledge segment has been due to its strong developed an e-learning platform for Board or IT tradition in education and in science and Education Standards (BITES) for higher technical technology. Institutions dedicated to, or with and educational institutions in Karnataka. IBM has strengths in, the biological sciences include: the also participated, along with BITES and Indian Indian Institute of Science, National Centre or Institute of Information technology-Bangalore Biological Sciences (TIFR), NIMHANS, Jawaharlal (IIITB), in creating IBM Centre of Excellence Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific research, devoted to the development of Open Source Central Food Technological Research Institute Software. This industry-institution partnership has (Mysore), Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, helped average local talent through educational Manipal Institute for Neurological Diseases, Rajiv programmes and has brought existing syllabus, Gandhi University of Health Sciences and the faculty and students on par with the emerging University of Agricultural Sciences. technologies in IT. Indian Institute of Science The Indian Institute of KERALA Science (IISc) was established in the days of the Kerala’s achievements in social development and Maharaja of Mysore in collaboration with Tatas in quality of life are, no doubt, inspiring and 1909. It has been ranked as the 18th best encouraging. The state has achieved a human university in the world. The institute has a number development index comparable to the developed of departments in various areas of biology and countries of the World. The state tops the literacy biotechnology: Bio-Chemistry, Micro Biology & Cell charts and has made constant efforts to rapidly Biology, Molecular Reproduction, development & advance in the higher education segment during Genetics, Molecular Biophysics, and Ecological the last few years. Kerala as many renowned Sciences. institutions for providing higher education and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific training. Some of these institutions include – Indian Research The Centre was established in 1989 by Institute of Management, Kozhikode, National the Department of Science and Technology to Institute of technology, Trichy, Cochin University of commemorate the birth centenary of Pandit Science and Technology and University of Kerala. Jawaharlal Nehru. The Institute’s main objective is Kerala Education Grid The Kerala Education Grid is www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 74 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION a major project undertaken by the state (InKEL), is expected to have an International government to provide quality education to those Institute of Technology, Institute of Management, who are pursuing higher studies. Planned in International School and a world- class multi phases with participation from premier institutions services Park and universities of Kerala, the Grid will ultimately ANDHRA PRADESH link all the educational institutions across the Andhra Pradesh has been regarded as a hot state. The Kerala Education Grid is n the process destination for higher education both for students of getting deployed in the colleges of Kerala for within the state and outside. The jurisdiction of improving the quality of higher education. It quality education, available at every stage spreads provides affordable and pedagogically effective over almost every village and town of the state. online assisted learning environment for the The quality and up to date education provided by colleges in any subject. The Grid proposes to the higher education institutes of Andhra Pradesh address the problem of providing quality education encapsulates the overall education policies and in colleges and universities using Technology scenario, making them transparent to the people Enhanced Learning and Teaching (TELT) by inside and outside the arena of the state. Andhra involving the teachers themselves as much as Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE possible. It establishes network of Education ) The Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Servers across colleges linked to a few Resource Education (APSCHE) came into existence on 20th Centres [EGRC] and a central Education Grid May, 1988 through an Act of the State Legislature Operations Centre [EGOC]. The teachers and the to advise the Government in matters relating to colleges are supported by the Education Grid Higher Education in the State and to oversee its project to develop quality content through its development with perspective planning and for services and invoke such educational processes matters connected therewith. APSCHE, the first of that effectively apply TELT methods. In this its kind in the country, Endeavour, the project draws from large volumes of content available or getting generated over the set up as per the recommendations of the National Internet or by the national level projects such as Education Policy 1986, is primarily a coordinating the National Programme on Technology Enhanced and liaisoning body between the University Grants Learning [NPTEL]. E-learning Centre in Kerala Commission, the State Government and the Apart from the Kerala Education grid, global Universities. It is the general duty of the Council to computer major Sun Microsystems has set up a coordinate and determine standards in institutions Centre of Excellence in Kerala to create a virtual of Higher Education or Research and Scientific and university for linking all the colleges in the state Technical Institutions in accordance with the for e-learning. The tie up with Sun has provided guidelines issued by the University Grants advanced information systems for the current and Commission from time to time. Department of future needs of the academia, government and Higher Education The Department of Higher industry. The Sun facility at the Education deals with matters relating to education Thiruvananthapuram based Indian IIITM- K is a at various levels in the State. The main functions of part of the ambitious Kerala Education Grid the Department are to: Advise the Government in Project. The Centre of excellence in Kerala is Sun’s matters relating to higher education in the State fifth computing laboratory in educational Coordinate and determine standards in institutions institutions worldwide; he other four Sun facilities of Higher Education or Research and Scientific and are in the United Kingdom, HongKong, Singapore Technical Institutions in accordance with the and Newzealand. While IIITM-K is the hub of the guidelines issued by the University Grants Education Grid, Sun’s Advanced Computing Commission from time to time Prepare consolidated Laboratory will support the academic and research programmes in the sphere of Higher Education in activities through high-end Sun servers, software the State in accordance with the guidelines that and high quality course contents on advanced may be issued by the University Grants topics. The broadband fibreoptics network being Commission Promote cooperation and coordination set up by the private telecom players across the of the Educational Institutions among themselves state will act as the information backbone of the and explore the scope forinteraction with industry Grid. ‘Technical Education’ hub in Malappuram Devise steps to improve the standards of Recently, a INR 500-crore Technical Education’ hub examinations conducted by the Universities and has been proposed in Malappuram, Kerala in a bid suggest necessary reforms, and so on to make the State a much sought after destination TAMIL NADU for higher education and knowledge industries. The hub, proposed by Infrastructures Kerala Ltd. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 75 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Traditionally, Tamil Nadu has held a preeminent attention for strengthening the higher education position in a number of fields of basic sciences, system in the State to respond to the new and mathematics, literature and economic sciences. emerging demands. Initiatives of the Tamil Nadu The scientific contribution of the academics and Government have been to focus on consolidating researchers from Tamil Nadu has received the existing educationalfacilities and infrastructure worldwide appreciation. Considering the scenario and to provide balanced attention towards of higher education in the State, it can be technological education as well as high quality arts established that the educational activities have and science programmes. The graduates of the increased manifold over the last few years. Major technical institutions in Tamil Nadu have shown cities including Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichi and outstanding performance in the industry, both in Madurai have established themselves as India and abroad. forerunners in the field of higher education. Here, The policy of the Government is to consolidate this we find some of India’s best professional capacity and improve the Tamil Nadu has the second largest intake capacity quality of the output from these institutions, rather in the country in engineering and polytechnic than increasing the number of new institutions. For education. The intake capacity of engineering this purpose, the Government has initiated colleges has reached the level of 35,230 and that programmes for upgradation of the engineering of the polytechnics has reached 47,500educational curriculum and syllabi at frequent intervals in order institutions including: Indian Institute of to capture the new developments in the Technology-Chennai, Madras Institute of technologies of the market place. technology, Anna University, Christian Medical The recent trend of declining quality of arts and College-Vellore, Annamalai University, IT-Trichy. science education has been taken into account by There are certain factors that make Tamil Nadu a the government. Many of the postgraduate preferred destination for higher education. It has programmes in arts and sciences, even in adequate educational institutions, efficient and prestigious institutions have failed to attract the committed teachers, strong education policy of the brightest students. Recognizing this trend, the government and infrastructural facilitates for Tamil Nadu Government has undertaken special professional education. The participation of central initiatives to maintain its leading role in the field of and state-run universities in the educational arts and sciences in the coming years. For this movement is worth opting. The varsities have set purpose, special attention has been devoted to guidelines for various purposes including diverse revamp and restructure the postgraduate arts and academic teaching, admission and infrastructural science programmes in the colleges and development. National Programme on Technology universities of Tamil Nadu. Higher Education for the enhanced learning Underprivileged The Sowbhagya Higher Education The National Programme on Technology Enhanced programme in Chennai District, Tamil Nadu, Learning is an initiative by all supports students from the underprivileged seven Indian Institutes of Technology sections who have progressed to higher education (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), such as college or a diploma programme. This Bangalore for creating course contents in initiative was introduced in 2003 by Asha-Silicon engineering and science. The video courses in the Valley’s Support- A-Child programme. In 2003, programme would comprise of approximately 40 there were 5 students pursuing college education in one-hour lectures for each course and the web fields such as Information Technology and supplements would contain sufficient materials Commerce. Today, the number has increased that a teacher can cover in approximately 40 several folds. lecture-hours. The contents ould be based on the The ICT Academy model curriculum suggested by All India Council The ICT Academy of Tamil Nadu (ICTACT), with its for Technical education (AICTE) and the syllabi of headquarter in Chennai, is a non-profit major affiliating Universities such as Anna autonomous organisation, registered under the University (Tamil Nadu), Jawaharlal Nehru Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975. Technological University (Andhra Pradesh) and Tamil Nadu’s ICT Services and Manufacturing Visvesvaraya Technological University (Karnataka). commands a share of 11% in total in India, and it The first phase of the project was normally aspires to capture 25% claiming the strongest hold launched on September 3, 2006. Policy Note of the in this respective sector. The governing body of Higher Education Department according to the ICTACT comprises of autonomous board of Policy Note of the Higher Education Department, directors with representations from the the Government of Tamil Nadu has devoted special www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 76 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Government of Tamil Nadu, leading companies in Leadership Foundation's Welsh Conference just the ICT industry with presence in Tamil Nadu, before Christmas. Anywhere in the UK there will be leading educational Institutions and Industrial a clear advantage for leaders to be identifying and bodies such as CII, NASSCOM and Mait. It trains seeking new forms of partnership for collaborative students in significant industry related courses. alliances, whether nationally or internationally. The novel initiative undertaken by the Tamil Nadu In the wider public sector it is interesting that the government strives to streamline the education retiring cabinet secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell argued pattern with the needs and challenges of the ICT that the Civil Service should overcome its "cultural industry, meeting the international standards. It inertia" and play a more leading role in economic would assist Tamil Nadu in a big way to claim a recovery. This may be a big ask for public servants stake hold on being the largest ICT Services and brought up to be naturally risk averse. However, ICT Manufacturing provider in India with a share of the truth is that all leaders in public institutions will 25% targeted by 2011. Additionally, it would also need to embrace a hybrid style which balances a boost the direct and indirect employment in the much stronger risk appetite against the traditional ICT sector both in Tamil Nadu specifically and in values of their role, their sector or their institution. India at large. ICTACT is sure to have an indelible Rising costs of higher education mandates a impression revolutionizing the education system. discussion about modularised courses in the UK The higher education programme is a collaboration between Asha-Silicon Valley and Asha-Chennai. As the cost of higher education mounts, Asha-SV provides funding and works with Asha- prospective students will need to work while Chennai to monitor the student’s progress; while attending university. They will not want to Asha- Chennai administers funding and provides accumulate masses of debt, and constantly ongoing counseling to the students. It can be worrying about their finances and indeed whether it easily said that higher education scenario in the is worth it or not. Some will enter paid employment Southern States of India has moved several folds straight from school, some will work and do an forward. The sector has seen tremendous changes Open University course, or go to institution which in the past few years and newer and better provides part-time provision such as Birkbeck educational initiatives would only provide further College. impetus to the system This trend toward the student paying for higher education will continue at an ever increasing pace, Higher education in 2012: leaders in the as the state will not have the resources to fund sector look ahead teaching, and maybe even post graduate studies We ask leading figures in higher education to and research as well down the line. What is really predict what 2012 will hold in their areas of disturbing is that universities have not really influence as well as comment on the way confronted this reality head-on, they merely argue leadership in the sector may evolve in the coming on the sidelines about how much they should year charge (should it be £7k or £9k), rather than how HE leaders in 2012 will need to embrace we should organise ourselves over the next couple entrepreneurial as well as traditional values of years to enable students to work and attend university. Genuine leaders only exist because they have followers - willing or not. With a lot of uncertainty As we move closer and closer to the US model of and many "unknown unknowns" (particularly in charging for higher education, we haven't even higher education) it is wise for leaders to start seriously discussed nationally the idea of with thinking about the needs of their followers – modularising all our courses, allowing students to support, encouragement, reassurance and helping take a degree over many years, which would them make sense of a lot of ambiguity and enable students to work and attend university at uncertainty. the same time, some completing their course in three years or five years or even 10 years. We In higher education, there will be a premium on would also open up higher education, in regions being even more entrepreneurial and agile – but throughout the country, to people beyond 21, to doing this while still holding on to the core values people currently working or caring for others or of what universities are for. retired. We should also be considering the transfer The agenda of collaborations, alliances and of credits for each module between universities, as mergers will rise up the priority list. It is certainly people move their jobs from one part of the right at the top of the list in Wales, where the country to the other. minister for education and skills, Leighton Andrews, left his audience in no doubt at the www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 77 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

The indirect consequence of this move toward 'any Half of the world's population is under 30 and few time degrees' would make our students more can afford the advanced education they need to entrepreneurial, and with life skills many currently thrive the 21st century. When Sebastian Thrun and don't have, which adversely affects them when Peter Norvig decided to offer their Stanford they are seeking jobs in a tight labour market. University artificial intelligence course free and If the state does not wake up to the reality to online in 2011, they were astonished that more come in HE, then perhaps the private sector will than 160,000 students worldwide would register. enter the market and do it. These online students ended up with new Universities will get better at communicating the knowledge, a class ranking of their test scores, and societal benefit of charitable donations and 'old a "statement of accomplishment" to certify they'd boys' club' will spread through the sector finished the course. In almost all of the past 11 years (since data has On December 19, 2011, MITx was rolled out on a been collected), universities have enjoyed a similar model, offering a portfolio of selected steady rise in philanthropic cash gifts received. courses that will be taught online, operated by a Even in a time of economic uncertainty, it seems non-profit set up within MIT. For a modest likely that this trend will continue in 2012. The processing fee, students will be able to earn MITx underlying causes of growth remain: more credentials. MITx is also putting its open source universities are fundraising, they're increasingly online learning platform online so other institutions sophisticated about how to ask, and donors can offer courses for free to the public too. I predict continue to be amazingly generous. that many will soon follow suit. Individual universities are getting better at My second prediction for 2012 is that some will try articulating the charitable benefits they deliver to to exploit online courseware. The Delta Project on society. The message is no longer simply 'your gift Postsecondary Education Costs has shown that can support today's students.' In 2012, we'll hear soaring higher education tuition correlates directly much more about how 'your gift to a university with declining revenue from public funding and can solve some of the planet's most pressing philanthropic gift giving. It would be easy for the questions.' short-sighted, the desperate, or the just plain Universities are entering a new era of competition greedy to embrace online courseware not for to attract the best students. They'll focus more on learning but for profit. what their student customers want, including Education is clearly the target of many corporate strong support in career development. So in 2012 investors these days. At a time when there is great universities will turn to their own graduates, public disillusionment with for-profit colleges (the asking them to offer advice, internships and University of Phoenix saw a 42% decline in mentoring to current students. The 'old boys' enrollments in the last quarter of 2010), we have clubs' of the older universities will be copied to be extremely careful to develop open throughout the sector and, perhaps, improved. courseware as a public good, not a potential cash In 2012 university brands will become increasingly cow. important, and famous alumni will play a key role. Enterprise education will be in the vanguard of how The picture of a single highly successful graduate universities respond positively to change can speak a thousand words about the value which I can easily predict that 2012 will be an interesting a degree confers. (Most universities would love to year for enterprise education. It's never been be able to say 'Richard Branson is one of ours' – higher on the agenda as a result of the June 2011 though in fact, none can.) government white paper and the review still at this University fundraisers have always known about moment underway by Sir Tim Wilson into the huge value which alumni and donors can add, university-business collaboration. whether as brand carriers, networkers, and/or My sincere hope is that this is more than a passing generous supporters. It's fantastic that the sector interest. Enterprise education, by which I mean the is embracing these ideas wholeheartedly. 2012 is education of enterprising and innovative individuals going to be a good year! rather than a narrow focus on commercial start-up 2012 will be the year of free online elite education – is critical to the HE sector delivering a high-value 2012 will be the year of elite institutions offering student experience which serves both the country free online education. And that's a public good - if and the students themselves. Surely the delivery of we make sure that it is. skilled, business aware, self-aware, and self-

www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 78 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION motivated graduates is something we can all Universities and colleges will become more agile support in 2012? organisations: They will also be better able to A rising awareness of social and cultural forms of respond to requests to develop tailored courses. entrepreneurship has helped us break out of the Also, there will be a greater focus on accelerating business school silos in recent years, and the swell the time it takes to develop and approve new of interest in intrapreneurship has helped us add undergraduate or postgraduate courses, cutting the real value to the skills of postgraduate researchers lapse time down to typically four months. who will deliver the impacts of the UK's world- An increased focus on the student learning class research, but the next step is surely a experience needs staff qualified to teach greater commitment to embedding enterprise Following years of increasing growth and relatively teaching across the curriculum? It is not enough to stable funding across higher education in the UK, fill our students' heads with abstract knowledge; 2010 and 2011 have seen significant change and a we must give them the tools to use it in the real real tightening of the belt. This has changed higher world. education permanently. There are five main trends that I believe will During 2012 we will witness the introduction of fees continue into 2012: at all UK higher education institutions, with Greater focus on graduate employability: With variations across the four nations. English students fierce competition, school leavers and their face paying fees of up to £9,000 per year; Scottish parents will do far more research when deciding students will continue to pay no fees; Welsh which college/university to apply to. Similarly, domiciled students face a modest rise in the basic universities and colleges will invest more in fee with the Welsh government paying the tracking graduates, assisting with career difference up to £9,000 in the form of a fees grant development and in promoting their graduate if they choose to study elsewhere in the UK; and employability rates. Northern Irish students will pay £3,465 but only if Developing closer links with industry and they attend local higher education institutions. commerce with the aim to help with development Students and parents will become more demanding of new or revised curriculum, and with student expecting to see objective markers of performance work placements. We'll see the return of many more evident including greater transparency on more thin or thick sandwich courses (depending contact hours, clarity on feedback policies, and on the duration of the placements), where work- employment opportunities tangibly enhanced based experience is an integral part. through study programmes. A big drive to improve business processes: For institutions, there are likely to be significant Universities will seek to gain operational drivers to minimise costs, create flexibility in the efficiencies across the entire organisation for day- workforce, establish greater efficiency and heighten to-day activities that involve students, academic impact. The focus on teaching and the student and administrative staff. Management will be learning experience will rise with institutions and looking for large-scale efficiencies that yield cost students expecting higher numbers of academic savings year-on-year. In addition, they will be staff qualified to teach. That staff will engage with looking to provide greater student satisfaction ongoing professional development related to through better quality professional and support pedagogy in addition to their academic discipline services, not just through teaching. From here it and reward (recognition and promotions) follows they'll get greater student retention and procedures will start to reflect a more balanced success, and ultimately improved opportunities to respect of commitment to teaching alongside generate revenue. research. The student's study needs: place of study and technology to support learning need to take a Increased focus on academic innovation and step change from what are quickly becoming dated research: Business process improvements will help and inadequate models of delivery which have academic staff reduce administrative operational failed to keep pace with the developments in work and spend more time on academic innovation learning approaches and the experiences young, or and research. It will also be important to focus on not so young, learners bring in preparation for developing sustainable research funding as higher education. opposed to one-time funding provided via the government or funding bodies under special 2012 is likely to see further government initiatives. intervention, the rise of more market-focused approaches to what higher education is and what higher education does. 2012 is the time for higher www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 79 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION education institutions to respond to this changing Ambareesh Baliga, chief operating officer at landscape through refreshing curricula, equipping Way2Wealth Securities, says, the sharp move in their workforce and focusing on the student Everonn shares is “basically on the back of the learning experience. open offer”, while Aptech has shown upward move Source: January 05, 2012/Guardian UK on the promoters’ auction talks. “Other stocks in the sector were beaten down so much that now Education stocks back on investors' radar they are bouncing back in tandem with Everonn Education stocks have again come back into the and Aptech,” he added. limelight, as investors judge the correction in The government’s focus on education, evident in these once-fancied sector amid hopes of the passing of the Right to Education Bill in 2010 consolidation. and in the increasing budgetary and Plan Shares of Everonn Education, which closed at Rs allocations for the sector, has generated significant 467.55 on the BSE on Tuesday, have so far gained opportunities for companies in the business, says a 41.3 per cent this year, as the acceptance ratio of report from brokerage firm First Global. According 58 per cent for the Varkey group’s open offer and to it, companies like Educomp Solutions, Everonn increase in FII limit to 24 per cent triggered the Education and NIIT, with their strong content rally. The open offer closed on December 31. development capabilities and scalable delivery Aptech shares have gained 38 per cent in the year models, have an early-mover advantage in the so far. Others like Zee Learn, Educomp Solutions, education business. NIIT and Career Point have rallied 13-28 per cent. The last Union Budget saw the government The Sensex gained just 4.6 per cent during the allocating Rs 42,000 crore for the Ministry of same period. Human Resource Development (an increase of 17 HIGH ON EDUCATION per cent over last year), Rs 31,000 crore for the % change in Department of School Education and Literacy and Company Price (in Rs) stock price Rs 11,000 crore for higher education. Name 10/1/2012 The government schools’ technology investments 1 Day Change have been funded by the Information & Aptech 90.90 20.00 Communication Technology school initiative under Infinite Computer Sol 74.25 19.95 the Centre’s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan scheme. Jetking Infotrai 61.10 19.92 Everonn Educat. 467.55 18.11 “Education stocks had gone out of favour in the last Birla Shloka 9.66 12.98 many months due to company specific issues,” said Usha Mart. Edu. 14.94 7.17 Mehraboon Irani, principal & head, private client Career Point 230.10 6.40 group, Nirmal Bang Securities. “This kind of rally Zee Learn 15.22 5.55 always happens in all beaten down fancied stocks.” Educomp Sol. 220.30 5.33 NIIT 41.60 4.26 Source: January 11, 2012/Business-Standard Compiled by BS Research Bureau Oxford University launches study on politicisation of Indian jobless youth “We are extremely bullish on the Indian education Focus to be on north India where unemployment is sector in the long term,” said Sujan Hajra, chief more acute economist and executive director, Anand Rathi Financial Services. “The demand for education The Oxford University on Tuesday announced a services is going to be huge and government major study on how unemployment in India is policies are likely to lead to some kind of politicising young people who then often turn to consolidation in the sector,” he added. “violent struggle” for a more equal society. The focus would be on north India where, it said, According to a recent Anand Rathi report on Indian unemployment was more acute and causing social education, authored by Hajra and Atul Thakkar, an tensions. overall $600 billion spent on education annually at comparable prices has made India’s education “Young people have invested time and money in sector bigger than that of the US. The private their education and yet find there are very few education revenue, which is growing at a salaried jobs for them. This has left them feeling compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19 per short-changed and frustrated. Educational levels cent, is set to reach $45 billion by 2015 — from have risen rapidly but there is a big gap between $30 billion in 2012. their aspirations and the reality of the current jobs market,” said Dr. Craig Jeffrey who has worked extensively in India and will lead the study. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 80 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

A Lecturer in Human Geography at Oxford and In a country wide survey undertaken by author of the book ‘Timepass,' based on his ASSOCHAM'S team seeking views of over 500 research in north India, Dr. Jeffrey said scholars students among top B-schools including Indian knew “surprisingly little” about the extent to which Institute of Management, Indian Institute of unemployment was pushing educated young Foreign Trade, Institute of Management Technology, people towards “political actions.” This had SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, resulted in “media stereotypes” of youth. The Symbiosis Institute of International Business study would strive to move beyond these (Pune), Xavier Institute of Management stereotypes. (Bhubaneswar), ICFAI Business School, Birla Journalistic conjecture Institute of Management Technology, Institute of Agri Business in the major cities of Delhi, Mumbai, These questions have been largely the subject of “ GOA, Cochin, Chennai, Ahemdabad, Hyderabad, journalistic conjecture. We want to find out from Indore, Patna, Pune, Chandigarh and Dehradun. our survey whether they feel globalisation is changing their lives for the better; find out Significantly, as many as 83 per cent of the B- whether their political views change when they school students participating in the ASSOCHAM leave school; and ask them why their protest survey answered that a job profile of their groups are not longer lasting. We will move preference would help them in their long term beyond media stereotypes of youth — for career. These future industry managers prefer work example, as ‘heroes' or ‘villains' — and publicise profile combined with the growth opportunities, the varied and changing roles played by educated resisting the tempting salary offers. unemployed young people,” he said. Surprisingly, a meager 4 per cent of these students The study is part of a bigger project in have opted for fat salary packets over a good job collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and profile. Factors like desire for a higher standard of the Economic and Social Research Council on the living, family expectations and responsibilities, impact of unemployment on youth in South Asia. compulsion to pay hefty amount of education loans, Besides India, it would study the trends in Nepal to save for investment in entrepreneurship, and Sri Lanka. conventionally draw MBA graduates toward high paying jobs. But, things seem to have changed with “North India, Nepal and Sri Lanka were chosen preferences changing for the future growth than because they each have major problems in the present rewards, the survey indicated. providing work that suits the skills and When given a choice between working for a qualifications of their unemployed. They also have growing company or an established one, 60 per a ‘youth-bulge' in their population of mainly young cent of the respondents opted for companies in the men. While the jobs market in the public sector growth phase. has shrunk in these countries, the private sector has not filled the gap in providing secure, salaried Commenting on the Survey, ASSOCHAM Secretary job opportunities. There are political differences General Mr. D S Rawat said, developed economies too between the three countries: India is a with better working conditions, good living democracy where people are free to protest; Sri standard and promising growth potential lure Lanka has a history of more authoritarian forms of India's talent pool as 75 per cent of MBAs wish to government; while Nepal only broke from work abroad. monarchic rule recently, in 2006,” Dr. Jeffrey said. Seventy five per cent of the respondents want to Global relevance land with their jobs in the United States. The United Kingdom and Australia are the next favorite The university said that its findings would have destinations with 40 per cent and 25 per cent of wider global relevance as unemployment was now them opting for these countries respectively. a critical problem across the world. Europe, Canada, Singapore and UAE are among the Source: January 11, 2012/The Hindu other countries of their choice. Over 83% of MBAs prefer job profile rather Among the rest 32 per cent of the respondents who hefty Pay Package: ASSOCHAM prefer to work in India, 48 per cent place no priority at all to location of job within the country An overwhelming 83 per cent of India's leading B- during campus placements. Only 12 per cent give school graduates are willing to forego hefty pay first priority to location. Another 42 per cent packets for the sake of a job profile of their consider location as influencing factor second to job preference, reveals the Associated Chambers of profile, affecting their decision. Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) survey. www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 81 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION

Parameter and Per cent - JOB PROFILE Vs. Secretariat. The survey is based on two-hour tests SALARY; Job profile-96%, Pay packets4%, that half a million students are put through. LOCATION - Location no priority 48%, Location China's Shanghai province, which participated in first priority 12%, Location after job profile 42%, PISA for the first time, scored the highest in Location after salary 7%, WORK ABROAD- US reading. It also topped the charts in mathematics 75%, UK 40%, Australia 25%, India and science. 22%. "More than one-quarter of Shanghai's 15 year olds Banking has emerged has the most preferred demonstrated advanced mathematical thinking sector among the MBA students to work in after skills to solve complex problems, compared to an their post graduation, as selected by 51 per cent OECD average of just 3%," noted the analysis. of the respondents Consultancy, marketing and IT The states of Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh, sector are other sectors, which are high on showpieces for education and development, were placement agenda of these students. Although, a selected by the central government to participate in number as good as 46 per cent are willing to PISA, but their test results were damning. forego a sector of their interest for a job which provides desired work profile supplemented with Tamil Nadu and Himachal, showpieces of India's handsome pay packet. education and development, fared miserably at the Programme for International Student Asssment, Thirty four per cent of the respondents stated they conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co- would not sacrifice the sector for any perk in form operation and Development Secretariat. of pay or profile. Remaining 20 per cent have asserted that their decision would depend on the An analysis of the performance of the two states factors like job satisfaction, growth potential, ease showed: of switching to desired function, company culture, In math, considered India's strong point, they working hours, relevance of prior work experience, finished second and third to last, beating only challenge, growth, feasibility to switch to favorite Kyrgyzstan. sector, growth opportunities, current financial When the Indian students were asked to read position, brand name of the company, feedback English text, again Tamil Nadu and Himachal from the people of the company. Pradesh were better than only Kyrgyzstan. Girls Sector Preference of the MBA graduates were better than boys Banking 51%, Consultancy 44%, Marketing 40%, The science results were the worst. Himachal IT 38%, Finance Analyst 35%, Mutual Funds 27%, Pradesh stood last, this time behind Kyrgyzstan. Stock/Commodity Markets 25%, Automobiles Tamil Nadu was slightly better and finished third 20%, Independent Intrepreneurship 18%, from the bottom Exports/Imports 13%, Research 11%, Agri- The average 15-year-old Indian is over 200 points business 11%, Independent Consultant 10%. behind the global topper. Comparing scores, Source: January 14, 2012/India Education Diary experts estimate that an Indian eighth grader is at Indian students rank 2nd last in global test the level of a South Korean third grader in math abilities or a second-year student from Shanghai Across the world, India is seen as an education when it comes to reading skills. powerhouse - based largely on the reputation of a The report said: "In Himachal, 11% of students are few islands of academic excellence such as the estimated to have a proficiency in reading literacy IITs. But scratch the glossy surface of our that is at or above the baseline level needed to education system and the picture turns seriously participate effectively and productively in life. It bleak. follows that 89% of students in Himachal are Fifteen-year-old Indians who were put, for the first estimated to be below that baseline level." time, on a global stage stood second to last, only Clearly, India will have to ramp up its efforts and beating Kyrgyzstan when tested on their reading, get serious about what goes on in its schools. math and science abilities. "Better educational outcomes are a strong predictor India ranked second last among the 73 countries for future economic growth," OECD secretary- that participated in the Programme for general Angel Gurria told The Times of India. International Student Assessment (PISA), "While national income and educational conducted annually to evaluate education systems achievement are still related, PISA shows that two worldwide by the OECD (Organisation for countries with similar levels of prosperity can Economic Co-operation and Development) produce very different results. This shows that an image of a world divided neatly into rich and well- www.aserf.org.in E - Bulletin No - 123 82 January 1 – 15, 2012 ASERF E News Bulletin on EDUCATION educated countries and poor and badly-educated countries is now out of date." In case of scientific literacy levels in TN, students were estimated to have a mean score that was below the means of all OECD countries, but better than Himachal. Experts are unsure if selecting these two states was a good idea. Shaheen Mistry, CEO of Teach For India programme, said, "I am glad that now there is data that lets people know how far we still have to go." Source: January 15, 2012/Times of India

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