 HIGHER EDUCATION

University Grants Commission

Consequent upon the death of Dr. S. S. Bhatnagar, Prof. Humayun Kabir, Secretary, Ministry of Education and Educational Adviser to the Government of India, was appointed Chairman of the University Grants Commission. The following changes also occurred in the membership of the Commission during 1955:-

(1) Dr. John Matthai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Bombay, Vice Shri Navroji J. Wadia.

(2) Prof. N. K. Sidhanta, Vice-Chancellor, University of Calcutta Vice Dr. J. C. Ghosh.

(3) Dr. C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar, Vice-Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University Vice Acharya Narendra Deva.

(4) Shri P. C. Bhattacharya, Secretary, Department of Revenue and Expenditure, Ministry of Finance Vice Shri M. V. Rangachari.

A Bill to provide for the coordination and determination of standards in Universities and for that purpose, to establish a Uni- versity Grants Commission, that was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 30th September 1954, was referred to a Joint Committee of the two Houses of Parliament. The Bill was considered in all its aspects by the Joint Committee and a report of the Committee was presented to the Lok Sabha on 29th July, 1955. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 28th November, 1955 and the Rajya Sabha returned the Bill to the Lok Sabha with certain amendments on 7th December, 1955. Amendments to the Bill made by the Rajya Sabha were considered by the Lok Sabha that passed the Bill at the current session.

The Commission has taken a decision on the permanent improvement of salary scales of all classes of university teachers and approved scales which are proposed to be introduced from April 1, 1956.

A sum of Rs. 1,93,15,000 has so far been placed at the disposal of the Commission towards its requirements for the year 1955-56. The Commission is the principal disbursing agency for grants to Univer- sities and the Constituent Colleges of Delhi University. A provision

of Rs. 3.5 crores exists in the current year's budget for "Grant-in- aid to the University Grants Commission". (Demand No. 19).

Assistance to Colleges under the Second Five-Year Plan

Proposals are under consideration under the Second Five-Year Plan to give assistance to Colleges by improving salary scales of college teachers by introducing a three-year Degree Course and limiting the number of students by providing funds for building up libraries, apparatus, equipment, etc. for laboratories, and by constructing hostels for students. (Demand No, 19).

Student Apprenticeships Scheme

With assistance from the Ford Foundation and in cooperation with the Community Projects Administration, a pilot scheme for granting "Student-Apprenticeships" was tried out in West Bengal. The purpose of the scheme was to develop in selected University students a realistic spirit of social service and a responsible understanding of the problems of rural reconstruction in India. Forty-two students of the Calcutta University were enrolled as apprentices and given a short orientation course of seven days at the different Community Development Training Centres at Fulia and Burdwan and placed as aids to different Gram-Sewaks for a period of 16 days. It is proposed to extend the scheme to other Universities with effect from the next financial year.

Home Science Education and Research

On 31st May, 1955, an Agreement under the Technical Cooperation Programme was executed between the Governments of India and the United States for the purpose of providing technical assistance, training opportunities, equipment and supplies to selected Indian Colleges and Universities with a view to assisting in the programme of developing and strengthening home science education and research in India. Certain Colleges and Universities were selected for assistance under this Programme on the recommendations of the Home Science Association of India.

General Education Courses

The question of the introduction of General Education Courses has been engaging the attention of the Government of India for some time past. With a view to considering this question, a few Vice- Chancellors and other educationists were invited to meet at Srinagar in June, 1955 to formulate suggestions regarding such a course for the consideration of Indian Universities in the light of the information available. A copy of the proceedings of this Committee,

together with a note on the objectives and scope of the General Education Courses has been sent to the Universities for eliciting their views on the suggestions.

It is proposed to send a study team to visit some institutions in the U.K. and the U.S.A. where promising work has been done in this field. The project will be financed out of funds allotted for the purpose by the Ford Foundation.

India Wheat Loan Educational Exchange Programme

The supply of books and laboratory equipment under the India Wheat Loan Educational Exchange Programme has begun. It is also, proposed to supply Indian books worth about 15,000 dollars to edu- cational institutions in the U.S.A.

The programme also provides for exchange of personnel and 12 Indian Librarians were granted study travel grants for a five-month study tour in the United States.

Appointment of Public Service (Qualifications for Recruitment) Committee

The Government of India have appointed a Committee to examine the question whether insistence upon a University degree is necessary for entry into Government Service. The terms of reference of the Committee are:-

(1) To examine the question as to how far and at what levels the possession of a University Degree is necessary for recruitment to Public Service.

(2) To consider the type of tests which should be instituted to assess the relative merits of candidates in an objective manner in the absence of a University degree.

(3) To consider measures to ensure that the number of candidates competing for posts and services under Government is not wastefully large.

The Committee is expected to submit its report by the 31st March, 1956 (Demand No. 19).

Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi

In accordance with Government of India's suggestion, the Jamia Millia Islamia has constituted a Finance Committee to examine the accounts and scrutinise the proposals of the Jamia for expenditure, and to consider and comment upon the annual accounts and the financial estimates of the institution before they are submitted to the Governing body and to the Society; and upon the annual accounts and the total non-recurring expenditure for the year based on the income and resources of the Jamia. (Demand No. 19).

Grants to All India organisations (educational, literary etc).

The lump sum provided during 1955-56 for grants to all-India organisations working in educational and literary fields was Rs. 706,800. The need to render financial assistance to such organisations is still great and accordingly provision has been made for this purpose in the budget of 1956-57. Similarly it is also proposed to make provision in the Second Five-Year Plan for the strengthening of institutions of higher learning.

Among organisations at present receiving grants the following may be mentioned:-

The Inter-University Board of India, the Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute, Poona; the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona, the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Poona; the Vaidika Samshodhana. Mandala, Poona; the Dharmakosha Mandal, Wai (District Satara); the India Economic Association, Bombay; the Asiatic Society, Calcutta; the Pracyavani (Institute of Oriental Learning), Calcutta; the Kashi Vidyapith, Banaras; the Gurukul University, Kangri, Hardwar; and the Dairatul Maarif-il-Osmania, Hyderabad (Deccan). (Demand No. 19).

Sanskrit Commission

A proposal is under consideration to set up a Commission to undertake a survey of the existing facilities for Sanskrit studies in Universities and non-University institutions and to make proposals for strengthening these institutions. The Commission may also suggest measures to coordinate and improve the work of different institutions in the field of Indological Studies. (Demand No. 19).

Dictionary of Sanskrit on Historical Principles

With the aid of the Government of India the Deccan College Post- graduate and Research Institute has undertaken to prepare a Dictionary of Sanskrit on Historical Principles. In order to ensure the completion of the scheme in the shortest possible time and at a minimum cost, the Institute has, on the recommendations of the Government, appointed a whole-time Editor and constituted an Editorial Board to supervise the work. (Demand No. 19).

Rural Higher Education Scheme

The expansion of facilities for Higher Education in rural areas was strongly recommended by the Radhakrishnan Commission.

Similar recommendations regarding the Secondary stage were made by the Mudaliar Commission. The recommendations coupled with the increasing interest shown by a large number of social workers and voluntary agencies in the development of Rural education led to the appointment of a Committee on Higher Education in Rural Areas.

The Committee that was appointed by the Ministry of Education in October, 1954, recommended the establishment of Rural institutes or institutions of higher learning that will make rural youth effective leaders of the community, 'Will help in eradicating the poverty of rural masses and will inspire them with a sense of social responsi- bility.

These aspects of Rural education were discussed at a Conference of the educationists interested in the work. On careful consideration of the recommendations made by it, the Government of India have decided to develop a number of selected rural institutions. A National Council of Rural Higher Education has been established under a Government resolution. The Council will work out the expenditure to be incurred on each institute on the basis of the proposals submitted by them and their capacity to expand and maintain their activities in all fields. The relative contributions of the State Governments, institutions and the Central Government have yet to be determined. The Consultative Committee consisting of representatives of the Ministries of Health, Production, Food and Agriculture, and Community Project Administration, Ford Foundation and the Technical Cooperation Mission met on 30th December, 1955 and recommended the setting up of four syllabus Committees. The Committees are expected to complete their work before the end of March, 1956.

A sum of Rs. 60 lakhs has been provided for this scheme during the year 1956-57.

To implement the programme of Rural Higher Education, the Ford Foundation has placed a sum of $ 1,720,000 (Rs. 81.18 lakhs) at the disposal of the Government of India. (Demand No. 19).