BackHRD ministry to set roadmap for central universities
HRD minister Smriti Irani and other officials will discuss with central university administrators issues including possible linkages with IITs
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The human resource development (HRD) ministry will take up at least 18 issues with central universities on Tuesday as it seeks to prepare blueprint for improving their performance.
HRD minister Smriti Irani and officials at her ministry will discuss with the central university administrators issues ranging from possible linkages between the varsities and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to improve teaching and research, and starting an undergraduate course in skills development to promote open online courses.
The controversial, choice-based credit system at the undergraduate level too will be discussed, according to the agenda of the meeting.
“After a meeting of the vice chancellors in February, the HRD ministry wanted to review the progress so that a roadmap can be built for them. Of course, each university will have their own roadmap," said a government official, who declined to be named.
The official said that central universities, despite being more resourceful than state universities, have several issues ranging from a shortage of faculty to a poor research environment.
The ministry believes that in certain cases leading universities can tie up with IITs in both teaching and research. “We are not talking of uniformity but of collaboration. Universities can learn about industry partnership, sponsored research from IITs," said the official.
According to the agenda note, the ministry will also ask the universities to start so-called massive online open courses, or MOOCs. A second government official said some IITs and the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, have already started such courses, which they see as the future of education.
“Technology adoption will be key to dissemination of education going forward and MOOCs can be a good medium to reach a large number of students without bringing them to campuses," the official said, also on condition of anonymity.
IIMB director Sushil Vachani last month said in an interview that he sees MOOCs as an enabler for the society and a means to build a better brand of institutions. The mass reach of the MOOCs will lead to better recognition of the institute as well as help improve the education of those who don’t make it IIM campuses, he had said.
The meeting will also take a final call on the choice-based credit system, which will provide flexibility in teaching and learning on campuses.
It will allow students mobility between courses and universities. The Delhi University Teachers Association has expressed concern on the proposal, saying it was being pushed in haste.
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