3. Introduction
Quality life of the people of any country largely rest
on the quality of education and research.
There are three broad categories of the higher
education institutions in India, centrally funded
institutions, state funded institutions and private
institutions.
India's higher education system is the world's third
largest in terms of students, next to China and
the United States.
At present, we are looking towards goal oriented
teaching and research.
4. Current Scenario of Higher Education
At present, the world-class institutions in India are
mainly limited. Demand for higher education in
the country is increasing by 15% to 17% every year.
Total faculty shortage in higher education is 3.5
lac. There is 40% and 35% shortage of faculty in
state and central universities, respectively.
Most of the Indian colleges and universities lack in
high-end teaching and research facilities.
India educates approximately 18.8 % of its youth in
higher education as compared to 28 percent in
China and 91 percent to South Korea.
5. Current Scenario of Higher Education
India’s GER of 18.8% is much below the world
average of 27%.
With 700 universities and more than 35,000
affiliated colleges enrolling more than 20 million
(i.e. 2 crore) students.
At present NAAC is assessing and accrediting to
Universities/Colleges.
62% of universities and 90% of colleges are average
or below average on the basis of their NAAC
accreditation on quality parameters.
6. Current Scenario of Higher Education
According to the London Times Higher Education
World University Rankings powered by Thomson
Reuters (2012-13), no Indian university features
among the first 100. But universities in East Asia
have been included in the first hundred.
Hong Kong has two, ranked at 35 and 65;
Singapore two ranked at 29 and 86 and South
Korea three ranked at 50, 59 and 68th position.
Notably, China's Peking University and Tsinghua
University are ranked at 46 and 52 respectively.
There is no Indian university in the rankings from
100 to 200. Only two Institutes namely IIT,
Kharagpur and Bombay exist in 200 to 300.
7. Current Scenario of Higher Education
The student ratio in the country is a whopping 1:
20.9 whereas according to the UGC’s own
standards, it should be only 1: 13.5 (1: 12 for
postgraduate students and 1: 15 for undergraduate
students).
Currently, the Government spends around 3.8% of
its GDP on education. The Knowledge Commission
additionally recommends an increase of at least
1.5% of GDP for higher education out of a total of
at least 6% of GDP for education overall.
8. Current Scenario of Higher Education
0.81% of GDP expends on research & development
in the field of Science & Technology as compared
to 2.79% in the USA, Israel (5.11 %), Japan (3.45 %),
1.23% in China and almost 3% in South Korea.
32.5% contribution of published research papers is
of USA researchers in the world while only 2.5%
contribution is Indian scholars that always been
under criticism for not being innovative, original
and of high quality.
Universities for Research & Innovation Bill 2012,
which envisages setting up of universities of
excellence is pending in the parliament.
9. Problems, Issues and Challenges
Quality education according to global standards
Inadequate financial resources, incentives and
motivation
Work load of faculty and Overcrowded
classrooms
Shortage of qualified and dedicated faculty
Lack of up-to-date library, books and Internet
search skills and materials on higher education
Less strengthen workshops and partnership
between universities and schools to prepare
teachers.
10. Problems, Issues and Challenges
The NKC recommends creation of 1,500 colleges
and universities over the next several years to
roughly double that percentage
Japan has 4,000 universities for its 127 million
people,
The US has 5,850 universities for its 331 million,
India has only 700 universities level Institutions
for its 1.2 billion people.
The Commission estimates that 160,000 Indians
are studying abroad, spending an estimated $4
billion a year.
11. Problems, Issues and Challenges
Lack of enthusiasm for technology among
academics
Lack of work culture
Lack of Outstanding quality of research and
teaching
Low extension of Research towards local
application of global knowledge pool
200 universities and 3000 colleges/ institutions
have been accredited by NAAC so far. It is a big
challenge to accredit other universities and
colleges.
12. Suggestions for Improving Higher Education
World Class Education- India should aspire for
the international standard in education. To achieve
that goal it should adopt uniform international
syllabus in its educational institutions.
High quality faculty- The need of the hour is to
create a conducive environment and provide
incentives to attract and retain high quality faculty.
Digital talking books can be used to assist with
lectures for recordings, audio needs, and taking
notes.
13. Suggestions for Improving Higher
Education
To Increase Quantity of Universities and
Colleges- We need more universities because we
are more in number and present number of
universities is too less.
High-Tech Libraries- Indian universities should
concentrate more on providing quality education
and excellent library facilities which is comparable
to that of international standards.
Multi-disciplinary Mission mode Research and
Innovation Programmes- The UGC, ICSSR and
other research funding bodies should encourage
inter/multi-disciplinary Seminars/ Conferences/
Research projects.
14. Suggestions for Improving Higher Education
Industry and Academia Connection- Industry
and Academia connect necessary to ensure
curriculum and skills in line with requirements.
Incentives to Teachers and ResearchersIncentives should be provided to teachers and
researchers to make these professions more
attractive for the younger generation.
Professionally dedicated Faculty- faculty
members should manage time well in teaching
and research related tasks, discussing in
committees and meetings, interacting with
students and others.
15. Suggestions for Improving Higher Education
Public Private Partnership- Public Private
Partnership (PPP) is most essential to bring in
quality in the higher education system.
International Cooperation- Government
should encourage foreign universities to come to
India to set up independent operations or
collaborate with existing Indian Institutions.
Action Plan for Improving QualityPractitioners would need to emphasize practical,
action-oriented research that can easily be applied
in solving particular problems facing education.
16. Suggestions for Improving Higher Education
Regular Monitoring And Evaluation- There
should be regular monitoring and evaluation of
teaching and research in the universities and other
institutions of higher learning.
Innovative Research Practices- Teachers should
be encouraged to attend various Conventions,
Conferences, Seminars, Workshops in their
disciplines to update their subject know how.
17. Suggestions for Improving Higher Education
Better Implement of newly launched
ambitious programme Rashtriya Uchchatar
Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) to revamp the higher
education effectively.
It is a new centrally sponsored scheme for higher
education which will spread over two plan periods
(XIIth and XIIIth) to improve access, equity and
quality in higher education at the state level. It is
proposed to improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio
from 19% at present to 30% by 2020.
18. Conclusion
In this New Millennium, higher education in
India is needed for growth and utilization of best
practices.
Research and Teaching learning practices
should become the target of researchers, policy
makers, program designers, implementers, and
evaluators to raise the level of its quality keeping
in view the international standards and create
positive development in the society.
