Indian Higher Education Revisited: Continuing Concerns and Emerging Issues

0.0

I have had the privilege of being professionally involved with the Indian higher education system for a little more than 50 years. Approximately half of this time has been spent in teaching and research in geology at two of the most prestigious universities of India–Banaras Hindu University and the University of Pune. During this period, I had the pleasure of interacting with many fresh young minds and participating in diverse activities. I learnt to look at things factually and to develop, as far as possible, an analytical approach. It has been literally a learning experience all along. As a geologist, I had the opportunity of spending time with nature, appreciating its beauty while accepting inhospitable conditions, making observations in the field and understanding a basic geological dictum (major events lead to a flurry of renewed activities) that has served me well in understanding paradigm shifts in higher education. During the second half of my career, I have been an education administrator (vice chancellor) at Shivaji University; a coordinator and implementor of educational programmes and policies (secretary general) with the Association of Indian Universities, and postretirement, an advisor on higher education. I have had the experience of dealing with both immature and mature (if sometimes manipulative) minds. Dealing with the practical and abstract problems of higher education has been a rewarding experience. As an educator, my tenure with the Association of Indian Universities was especially rewarding. I had the opportunity to take a close look at the many problems that face Indian higher education, understand the nuances of the policy on higher education, and help in coordinating the response of Indian universities to various issues that cropped up from time to time. I also had an opportunity to interact with many towering personalities in the field of higher education. And, as a part of my responsibility of keeping the members of the Association updated on current issues, I had the privilege of writing and publishing, essentially for internal circulation, a number of ‘reports’, ‘position documents’ and ‘occasional papers’. Some of these have been reworked and included in this book. This book attempts to present in brief the basic concepts relating to higher education, including the ‘idea of a university’. It also addresses the many concerns and issues related to higher education in India. Admittedly, some of these are what sociologists term as ‘wicked issues’—perennial problems that defy a satisfactory solution. The basic concerns of Indian higher education are those related to access, inclusiveness, relevance, quality, finance and governance. Newer domains, like internationalization of education, foreign providers, private higher education and distance education, are receiving the attention of educators. Controversies have been generated on issues like the quality of education in some deemed universities and the Foreign Providers Bill which, hopefully, will be short-lived. And the very form of higher education is fast changing. An attempt has been made in this book to critically analyse these aspects. Thoughts and ideas often emanate as a response to particular situations that require immediate action. However, over a period of time, there are often changes in perceptions resulting from new developments. Hence, there is always a need to revisit old perceptions and modify them in the light of new developments. On account of the modifications in earlier views, and additions as a result of new developments, I have preferred to use the term ‘revisited’ in the title. The thoughts and ideas included in this volume are in no way original. They have their roots in the numerous publications that I have read over the years, and in the interactions