A White Paper on “Administrative Reforms in Higher Education” prepared by the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) National Committee on Higher Education, outlining recommendations to revitalize the higher education sector in India with greater participation of the private sector in a more liberal and encouraging investment climate, was released at the “Global University-Industry Congress & 5th Global Higher Education Summit” on Thursday.
The 12th Five Year Plan projects that enrollment in all degree and diploma courses at higher education level has to increase from the current 20 million to 30 million, with particularly high rates of growth in PhD, post-graduate and under-graduate technical education.
About 94 per cent of the students enrolled in government-funded or government-controlled private institutions come under the state higher education system. Thus, any efforts for development in this sector must recognize the importance of state higher education institutions and aim to improve their status and focus on the issues related to Centre-state relationship and coordination.
What stand in the way of growth are the barriers to entry and expansion as clearances by multiple agencies with varying norms, standards, speed and efficiency are required at every stage. The White Paper includes some specific recommendations in this regard and emphasizes that top-most priority should be given to the establishment of a single window agency with transparent and coherent norms. It suggests that this agency should consult with all the related agencies and there should be no further questions or obstacles in further implementation of projects.
The White Paper also highlights and gives recommendations on how higher education can be promoted under the ambit of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It has been estimated that out of about Rs 4 lakh crore required for higher education, the public sector outlay in the 12th Five Year Plan is not likely to be more than Rs 1 lakh crore. The major portion of the new outlay required is thus to be mobilized from non-government resources which are (i) student fees (ii) donations and community contributions (iii) CSR (iv) private investment in higher education – Indian and foreign, and (v) loans provided by banks and other agencies. It is necessary to create a climate of mobilization of funds by higher education institutions to meet the requirements. A number of suggestions have been made in regard to each of these areas and the main lines of action needed are highlighted in the White Paper.
The Paper emphasizes the need for sharing and optimal use of existing resources. It also suggests raising of additional financial resources through service tax and promoting investment in higher education through tax incentives.
The Paper calls for administrative reforms in rules and regulations of various bodies, professional councils, UGC, AICTE etc and creating a synergy between them. Further, it propagates review of the university rules and regulations and the Acts from the point of view of providing necessary flexibility and relevance for dealing with multifarious agencies. It also welcomes the new initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development on RUSA which provides a unique opportunity for fostering innovation eco system in higher education.
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