The Social Science Informer: UGC SPONSORED Two Day National Seminar on Human Capital Formation: Issues and Challenges

The Social Science Informer: UGC SPONSORED Two Day National Seminar on Human Capital Formation: Issues and Challenges

Brain waves: Quality Assurance in Higher Education - A SWOT Analysis

Brain waves: Quality Assurance in Higher Education - A SWOT Analysis

Quality Assurance in Higher Education - A SWOT Analysis

INTRODUCTION:

Education is a facilitator for all development process .It is has   a great potency to bring about effective social changes through human resource development. In the words of Dr. Abdul Kalam “mission of education is the foundation to ensure the creation of enlightened citizens, who make a prosperous, happy and strong nation”

This is the era of globalization where education has a key role to play. In the constantly changing educational arena upholding the quality of education throws an important challenge.  The educators need to constantly work on bench marks and standards to measure efficiency, performance and cost reduction. Efficiency, excellence and success should cater not only to academics but across the Institution. A lot of organized discipline is required to achieve this. This paper is an attempt to study the surge of Indian higher education in quality through a SWOT Analysis. This will help in analyzing the present status of the quality of higher education in India. It will also enlist the threats and loop holes in the system.

Higher education is a complex system of enabling teaching, research and extension. The horizon of higher education has extended to international collaborations and franchise. The core values for higher education in India, as envisaged by the   quality control agencies, are national development, fostering global competitiveness, ethical values promote use of technology and create an atmosphere of quest for excellence.

The degree of excellence at higher education depends on quality in totality. At the threshold, the quality is judged on the basis of certain set standards. The movement from standards to excellence is the objective of higher education. Excellence is a stage of distinctiveness where the defects are negligible and the satisfaction for the stakeholder is supreme.

 The growth of higher education in India can be traced back to an Act of the Parliament which made provisions for the establishment of the institutional framework for higher education in India. This included Central Universities, State Universities, Deemed Universities and Institutes of National Importance, Institutions established by a State Legislative Act and Colleges affiliated to the University. The affiliated colleges could be both government-aided and –unaided. Most of the institutions are public institutions or receiving substantial grants from the government.

At the time of Indian Independence there were 20 Universities, 500 colleges with 2, 40,000 students. Today, these numbers have grown exponentially. The following statistical data show in a nutshell the current higher education sector in India.

·         India has 610 universities and has come a long way from the post-Independence era.

·         There are 43 central universities and 299 state universities besides the other important Institutions.

·          The Government spends around 3.8% of its GDP on education.

·         FDI inflows in the education sector during May 2012 stood at $31.22 mn

·          The student-teacher ratio in University departments is 18:1 that in affiliated colleges is 23:1.

·          Indian youth in the age group of 17-23 years, who are pursuing higher education form 7.5 percent as against 15 percent in many of the other countries.

The statistical evidence shows that over the years, the Institutions of higher education have recorded a tremendous growth in quantity. There was a pressing need to maintain the quality as well. The establishment of the University Grants Commission was a land mark in the evolution of quality higher education. UGC was vested with the responsibility of maintaining quality in the higher education institutions. National Assessment and Accreditation Council, was established on the recommendation of the UGC as a registered autonomous body for grading the Institutions of higher education. Subsequently many statutory bodies have been established in India to assure quality in professional colleges.

LITERATURE SURVEY:

·         Education is regarded a catalyst, for all development process. It can be a great force in bringing about the desirable social changes and human development (Sharma, Darshana, 2007)

·         Value added is the difference a college makes in their education. (Douglas C. Bennett, 2001)

·         Ancient India considered knowledge as the third eye that gives insight into all affairs. (Rao, sudha,singh, Mithilesh kr; 2007)

·         Higher Education functions in a global environment. Higher Education has in fact been a force for globalization. Ironically it is challenged in responding to the global reality. (Yakoboski. J. Paul )

·         Higher Education in India is in a chaotic state as voluntary accreditation has no takers in the private sector and the stake holders show little concern for it. (Agarwal, Pawan, 2009)

·         There is a direct relation between progress of the society and the quality of education. Hence the entire nation should be accountable for it. (Prasad, 2006)

·         The quality of education is concerned with teaching, research and services. (Badri and Abdulla, 2004)

·         The students of today will be the future citizens. They should be groomed at a higher level of education in such a way that they respond to the ethics of market in a positive way. (Mehata, Nihalani, 2011)

·         In teaching and research the students are participants and the focus should be on their learning. (Srikanthan and Dalrymple, 2002, 2003, 2004)

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

1.      This study provides the basis for understanding the strengths of higher education in India

2.      It aims to bring to light the weakness in this area.

3.       Its focus is to identify the attractive opportunities

4.      To highlight the threats.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This research paper is the outcome of secondary data since it already has a pre-established degree of validity and reliability. It also enables the identification of gaps and deficiencies of the previous studies.

ORGANISATION OF THE STUDY:

This paper is organized into three sections. The first section presents the introduction, objectives and the research methodology. The second section gives the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats. The final section has the conclusion with appropriate strategies to improve the quality of higher education to meet the global requirements. 

SWOT ANALYSIS

SWOT Analysis is an instrumental tool at the preliminary stage of policy making of an organization. At a later stage it is helpful in analyzing the performance of the organization .It helps in securing answer for relevant questions drawn from the past performance.  It also plays a crucial role setting targets for future endeavors .In this study SWOT Analysis has been adopted as there is no reliable numerical  yardstick to measure the quality in higher education.

STRENGTHS: An analysis of the strengths of the higher education in India reveals that State of art infrastructural facilities are found in some of the government and private organizations. Both physical and academic infrastructure is noteworthy. In the premier institutes like IIT’S and IIM’S sufficient and modern facilities and equipment is available. Support services with comfortable hostels, inviting sports arena and massive campus give a visually appealing environment. These are the key factors which impress and attract the students at the first instance. There are four principal levels of qualification within the higher education system in the country namely the graduation level, the post-graduation level, the doctoral and the post-doctoral level. India possesses a highly advanced higher education system which offers the facility of education and training in different areas of human resourcefulness and intellectual accomplishments like.  Mathematics, Arts, Humanities and Sciences. Professional education is available in Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry and Agriculture. Courses are available to pursue Education, Law, Accountancy and Management. Fine arts like music and performing arts also find a place of honor in the Indian higher education. National and foreign languages are taught in Indian Universities and Colleges. Culture and Communications also finds a place among the courses. Globalization and competition has improved the work culture in India. Self-discipline, dedication and skilled faculty has steadily infiltrated into the higher education in India.  Quality education is the key to the transformation and development of the economy. This awareness has sunk into the work culture. This has given rise to a new crop of dedicated faculty conscious of imparting quality education. All these factors have made higher education in India attractive. Some of the organisations can even boast of sufficient, dedicated and expert faculty. The importance of faculty development programs as value addition has been realized. The theoretical knowledge imparted in India is exemplary, up to date and imparted by teachers experts in their area of knowledge. The student teacher relationship has shown a remarkable improvement over the yester years. The faculty is willing to extend a helping hand through personal attention, guidance and advice. Handling complaints and solving problems are fast catching up. Each of these aspects makes higher education in India more appealing.  The theoretical curriculum is found to be effective. Knowledge in its complete form is imparted. .The present day higher education emphasizes on improving   communication skills and instilling team spirit and team work. The use of modern technology like the computers is encouraged .Higher education facilitates best practices and research. Higher education in India has proved to be a tool for social change.  Subsidized higher education in some of the premier institutes is reachable and affordable. The students who graduate from these Institutes are prepared. Productive, innovative, creative and above all competitive. They have the potential to add value to the society and bring name and fame to the Institute.

WEAKNESS

A major portion of the investment at the level of higher level of education has been the responsibility of the government. Provision of infrastructural facilities of world class standards requires huge investment which the public sector can ill afford. Financial crunch is thus felt seriously at the higher education.

Decision making in the Universities is highly centralized. The plethora of hierarchy causes inordinate delay in decision making. This is coupled by complicated and cumbersome office procedures. The untrained office personal causes a hindrance. The ability to hire and retain the staff is a major cause for the poor state of affairs in the administrative set-up.

The growth and expansion of the Institutions has been endangered by rigidity in rules and framework. There is growth in autonomy without a similar progress in quality. Majority of the institutions slacken in quality. The commercial quest overrides the desire for rendering quality education. They are however constantly monitored for quality by the apex agencies. The snag in quality controls agencies is that they are many and overlap in their functions.

 Academic auditing should be done by different organizations like an internal body, external agency, auditing agency and a government body. Auditing of this nature will bring an unbiased result. However auditing does not occupy the drivers place in most of the Indian Colleges. At the level of higher education scant importance is given to academic audit

Student friendly Universities are the need of the hour. The Indian Universities’ response to the needs of the student community is sluggish and lukewarm. Students are not regarded partners in the progress and achievements of the Universities. Their role in decision making and assessment is negligible. Multiple entrance tests and poor campus placements add to their grievance. In these circumstances, brain drain becomes a reality.

Higher education has been suppressing egalitarianism. The fee structure for all the students is uniform. Due respect is not given to economic status and affordability. This intensifies the problem of lack of equality of educational opportunities. 

OPPORTUNITIES

NAAC accreditation and autonomy implies a proven track for quality. This attracts faculty and students alike. The day may not be far off when it will be considered a talent pool of the world.

The Indian Education sector is characterized by unique set of attributes. Primarily there is a massive demand for quality education in India. There is a rich market both in terms of students and income. A probable growth rate of 16 percent is expected over the next 5 years. In the years ahead the entry of foreigners into the country is expected.

A major chunk of education in the country is provided by the private unaided colleges. This gives an ample proof of the paying capacity of the middle class in India. The middleclass pay the fee as they value higher education.

Universities are reaching out to students beyond geographical and political boundaries. Universities today can examine many more students than they can actually teach. They are thus entering into franchise with the other Institutions. The Institutions just extend their brand name without actually getting involved in the teaching. Such collaborations are fruitful in attracting students of caliber.

The technological, scientific and management institutes of India has made waves world over. They are admired for their quality and are branded. Consequently the era of brain drain has given way to retention of students of quality in the Indian Universities. This is an opportunity they can cash on.

The unique selling point of India is the pool of skilled manpower. In order to maintain this edge India has to keep churning more and more human resources endowed with ample skill. India is also emerging as a global hub for research and development. The country should not let go this opportunity of supplying globally skilled manpower and quality researchers. India is slowly emerging into a knowledge based economy. Skilled professionals from India will be in  demand in India and abroad. This will widen the scope of higher education massively.

THREATS

Traditional courses and lack of alternative courses poses a major threat to the higher education. Certain courses are endangered and are on the verge of extinction without any takers. Some of the Courses are being run for the survival of the respective departments. The curriculum is old and needs updating.

Research centers have failed to amass knowledge instead has churned out additional data. Quantitative expansion of higher education has been without much of qualitative growth. In this grim situation foreign universities pose a serious threat and may culminate in the migration of the Indian students and the country eventually   encountering a brain drain.

Education in the perception of students and the society is a means to secure a livelihood. This will encourage numerical achievement at the cost of qualitative education. Knowledge transferred at the higher education may be far from instilling expertise, wisdom and knowledge. The net outcome would be mediocrity of students which will put their progress and the reputation of the Institutions at stake.

 Educational reforms will be effective if introduced without any delay. However inordinate delays and time lag in the introduction of reforms has done more harm over the years.

 The supply of trained faculty is unable to meet the demands of the rapidly growing Institutions. Dearth of trained and experienced faculty harms the quality of education. .Over regulation, cumbersome and many entrance tests, sky rocketing fee structure in the private sector are the other loopholes in the existing educational pattern. These issues may have repercussions by driving Indian students abroad and foreign students may find these entry barriers stubborn. 

 RESULTS AND SUGGESTIONS

Higher education in India is under the public sectors. There are constraints on public funding. Public funding can be supplemented with private investment. Ventures of public- private partnership should be encouraged.

The role of the apex quality agencies should be clearly specified. Overlapping functions should be eliminated.

Autonomy should be given to the colleges only after NAAC accreditation. In continuation with it there should be periodic monitoring of the policies, procedures and academic standards by the apex agencies. The university or the college may be allowed to set standards on the basis of which they can be evaluated.

 Commitment of the top level management plays a significant role in quality improvement. The centralized decisions of the top level management   should give way to decentralization of decisions.

The proactive and self- disciplined students are assets to the university. They can be given the liberty of selecting their curriculum. They can be treated as clients and the University should meet the changing aspirations, needs and the expectations of the students. Alumni associations can be formed to tap skill, proficiency and expertise.

Higher education should recognize inequalities. The fee structure for economically deprived should be reduced. Due reverence should be given to economic status and affordability of the students. This will encourage equality of educational opportunities.

Flexibility in rules and framework will contribute to the growth and expansion of the Institutions.

The performance of the Institution can be rated on the basis of the value added to the qualification of the faculty.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion it can be said that quality higher education at the outset requires planning. This should be coupled by a vision. Good infrastructure with prompt technical support and skilled faculty will go a long way [i]in achieving excellence. Integrating of activities, interaction with the students and problem solving ability at the academic level will be the ultimate assets for quality education. Higher education in India with time is expected to discover and deliver diagnostic insights and innovations that will eventually provide quality education. 

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[i][i][i] REFERENCES :

1.      UGC Annual Report 2010-2011- DGET; Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) Annual Report 2011- 2012; IDFC  SSKI 2010; DISE 2009-10 Flash Statistics; MHRD Statistics: Higher & Technical Education 2010; Planning Commission: Midterm Review of XI Plan

2.      Dr. V Mohanasundaram, SWOT Analysis of Indian Higher Education, Ecospeak: A Journal of advances in management, IT and social sciences,vol.1,Issue 3,pg.39-44,

3.       UGC; UNESCO Global Education Digest 2010; MHRD Annual Report 2009-10; US Department of Education: National Center    of         Education        Statistics;         CSFB  Report;            CLSA  Report;            CLSA  Asia- Pacific Markets, Department of education

4.      V. S. Prasad, (2006), Higher Education in India; Quality Perspective, ICFAI University Press, Hyderabad.

5.      Anandakrishnan, M. (2006) Privatization of higher education: Opportunities and

      Anomalies. ‘Privatization and commercialization of higher education’ organized by

      NIEPA , May 2, 2006., New Delhi

6.      K.B .Powar, WTO, GATS and Higher Education: An Indian Prospective, University News: New Delhi, January, 2003.

7.      Agarwal, Pawan, (2006) Higher Education in India : The need for change ,Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations.

8.      Raj Agarwal,  Globalization of Higher Education and WTO, University News: New Delhi,2002

9.      L.C.Singh, Self Financing Higher education ,University News New Delhi,2002

I underwent a surgery. I was just getting out of anesthesia . My head was reeling and I was unable to answer questions nor find my voice. I was feeling dizzy , nauseated and sick. I went into a slumber for another couple of hours.
I was jolted out of my sleep by my husband. His upturned thumb suggested that I had successfully undergone my surgery. My mom was my next visitor. She sobbed uncontrollably. I remember faintly my other visitors. My son was conspicuous by his absence. He later told me that he was not permitted to meet me.
I woke up........after..... how many days?.... or was it hours?..... I was conscious. Wanted all my near and dear ones. Felt uncomfortable in the new environment. I could hear a voice. Probably the Doc. He was yelling at a patient for the scant cooperation.I decided there would be full cooperation from me. I again dozed.....to get up some time in the night. The ayahmma was indeed a fairy. I started calling her nightingale. She was always there when I wanted her, throughout the night. ......I opened my eyes to a new dawn.....The brightest morning ....I was alive and doing well!!!
My nightingale was at my bedside. She plaited my hair improving on my appearance.She forced me to drink a glass of milk. She reminded me of my dear mother whose absence I could feel. She helped me with a French bath and into fresh clothes. I felt touched by her sincerity. Her body language revealed kind eyes, helping hands, on her feet always and above all a kind heart. I was finally wheeled out of the ICU into a private room.
My husband was waiting for me. He helped me walk. Mom had sent piping hot food. Dad had brought it along. My sister helped me eat. My sons were at my beck and call. I then realized the importance of a family. I then thanked the Lord for giving me an excellent family who stood by my side at the time of my need. I also thanked the Lord for sending the nightingale without whose help I would have found it difficult to spend the dark night of my life.I also prayed to the almighty to send angels where ever required to help people sail through their difficult days.

New Year Resolutions :Comments

Cakes, greetings, parties and resolutions mark a new year’s day. A wife resolving to nag her husband less, the husband to remember important dates like anniversaries and men resolving to abstain from smoking and consuming alcohol are common resolutions made.

It is a known fact that resolutions are made only to be broken since it requires strong determination to uphold it .The enthusiasm towards the resolution is found to be weaning within a week , for a period recollected with guilt and finally forgotten.…..365 days ….. another new year ….resolutions made afresh with out any remorse of having broken the previous one!!!

Brain waves: Brain waves: Delicate relationship,handle with care!!!#links

Brain waves: Brain waves: Delicate relationship,handle with care!!!#links

Delicate relationship,handle with care!!!

Recently I attended a funeral. Even before the cinders could cool, I noticed a ‘no love lost’ behaivour of the daughter-in-law. Having lived together for three decades why is that their inter-personal and intra-personal relationship failed? This set me thinking…………

An adorable mother, a lovable sister, a doting grandmother fails miserably when it comes to the ‘in-law’ relationship. Why can’t she be an adorable mother-in-law? Or for that matter a lovable daughter-in-law?

Curiosity got the better of me. I began investigating. I recorded a comment that this relationship was strained even at the highest level of office i.e. the Prime Minister. The relationship is at its worst when it comes to the lower income group. It has deteriorated at the middle order.

My inquisitiveness took me through the winding roads of varied thoughts. The younger women were full of venom about their possessive mothers-in-law. The mother-in-law always felt that she had given her prized possession to a women who was not worthy of it. Further there is a lot of discrimination between the daughters-in-law. No wonder books like ‘Dollar Bahu’ are a best seller. The older generations had tales to say about their daughters-in-law. That the younger generation was a self-centered and a selfish lot. They were all sugar when they needed the mothers’-in-law help and were a ‘bitter guard’ otherwise.

Is there no respite from this problem? Then I noticed a family where both the women were sharing a cordial and a healthy relationship. The wise mother-in-law enlightened me that the day the new bride entered the house she had a heart to heart talk with her about this relationship. She also advised her that the adorable son should not be sand-witched between the two women who loved him the most. In case of any misunderstanding it should be sorted out between them. They should not be running to the men. That they can settle their dispute amicably if one is able to see the point of view of the other. Today they live in the same building but in two different apartments. Each has her own independence in the course of the day and at the same time they are shopping, cooking, and celebrating festivals together.

This should be an eye-opener. Both should go halfway to meet the other. When women can reach the space, can’t they really uphold a small but a really important relationship? I think women like us with firm determination can make a little effort to make this relationship cherishable. If only I have made you thinking positively I think I was successful in driving the point. Let us make up our mind to put in a little effort to make this world a happier place to live in and if possible bring down heaven onto the earth.
Published in the ‘Little Women ‘the annual journal of the WDC, ST. Mary’s