UNIVERSITY AND HIGHER EDUCATION
University Grants Commission
Growth of the Higher Education System 6.1.1 At the beginning of the year 1995-96, the total student enrolment in universities and colleges was 61.14 lakh. The enrolment in the University Departments was 10.14 lakh and that in the affiliated colleges was 51.0 lakh.
6.1.2 Out of ten students in higher education, four are in the Faculty of Arts, enrolled for courses in social sciences and humanities which include History and Culture and Languages. Three, out of ten students, are enrolled for courses in Science, Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture and related disciplines. The faculty of commerce enrols two out of 10 students. Enrolment at the first degree level was 53.86 lakh (88.1 %); at the postgraduate level 5.82 lakh 3(9.5%); at the research level 0.67 lakh (1.1%); and at the diploma and certificate level 0.79 lakh (1.3%). The total number of teachers increased to 3.01 lakh during the year. Of these, 0.69 lakh were in the University Departments/University Colleges and the rest in the affiliated colleges. Of the 69283 teachers in the Universities, 8868 are Professors. 18152 are Readers, 39492 are Lecturers and 2771 are Tutors/ Demonstrators. In the affiliated colleges, the number of senior teachers was 32,180; the number of Lecturers was 1,89,144 and that of Tutors/Demonstrators was 10,186.
6.1.3 Upto March 1996, the total number of Universities in the country was 167 and the total number of Institutions deemed to be universities was 36.
Higher Education among Women 6.1.4 The enrolment of women students at the beginning of the year 1995-96 was 20.65 lakh. At the postgraduate level, the enrolment of women was 35.6% of the total enrolment. The enrolment of women students was the highest in Kerala (52.0%), followed by Goa and Punjab (50.9% each), Pondicherry (45.1%), Delhi (44.2%), Manipur (42.4%), Meghalaya and Nagaland (39.5%) each and Jammu & Kashmir (39.3%). The enrolment of women was the lowest in Bihar (18.4%).
Programmes and Activities of the Commission 6.1.5 Some of the major thrust areas pursued during the year were : Human Resource Development, Research and Studies in Emerging and Inter-disciplinary areas, Environment Education, Vocationalisation of Education at the first degree level, Academic Staff Colleges for Orientation of teachers, Eligibility test for recruitment of lecturers, Inter-University Centres and Consortium, Distance Education, COSIST, Adult Education and National Literacy Mission, Spread of Mass Communication and Educational Technology Network, Computer Education, Education for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and for the minorities and weaker sections among the minority communities, Education for Women and the Handicapped and Population Education.
71
Human Resource Development 6.1.6 The Commission has been striving to develop human resources and towards this end, it provides assistance for various programmes which enable teachers and researchers to up-grade professional competence and keep abreast of the latest developments in their disciplines. Assistance for various types of Scholarships and Fellowships is provided to achieve this objective. Junior Research Fellowship is awarded to those research scholars, who have qualified in National Level Tests conducted by the UGC, CSIR, GATE, etc. Teachers of outstanding eminence are awarded national fellowships for a specified period to devote themselves exclusively to research and writing. Similarly, under the scheme of Research Scientists, 200 positions have been created at any given time basis in the grades of Lecturers, Readers and Professors in order to provide opportunities to those who wish to pursue research as a career. Selections under this scheme are made directly by the Commission.
6.1.7 A scheme of Career Awards also exists, which aims at identifying young talented teachers to devote themselves to research with lesser teaching responsibilities.
6.1.8 Under the scheme of Visiting Professors/Fellows, assistance is provided to universities for the appointment of Visiting Professors/Fellows. During the year, the Commission continued the scheme of "Visiting Faculty" in the universities so as to provide teaching/research assignments outside Kashmir to the teachers from Kashmir University and its affiliated colleges due to disturbed conditions there.
Research and Studies in Emerging and Inter-disciplinary Areas 6.1.9 These courses include courses like Super-Conductivity, Atmospheric Science, Environmental Education., Computer Applications, etc.
i) Super Conductivity Programme 6.1.10 The UGC programme on Super Conductivity has been in operation since 1987 for assisting universities in developing education and research capabilities in both basic and applied areas of Super Conductivity. Periodic review through group monitoring meetings and annual/bi-annual reports are in-built features of the programme.
6.1.11 The Commission was supporting 13 universities upto March, 1996 in both basic and applied areas.
6.1.12 These institutions have come up as Centres of excellence in their respective fields. The programme has generated a positive impact on the university system for collaborative approaches to R&D and educational activities.
ii) Atmospheric Science 6.1.13 This programme has been in operation since 1987, with the object of promoting meteorological and atmospheric sciences in the universities and providing employment opportunities for persons trained on the computer systems installed at the Council of Meteorological and Earth Science for medium range forecasting. The Commission was supporting six universities under this programme upto March, 1996.
72
iii) Environment Education 6.1.14 Following a directive from the Supreme Court, the UGC has impressed upon universities to introduce a course on Environment and include it as a compulsory subject at every level of college education. Accordingly, the UGC has constituted expert groups on Environment Education to consider proposals received from universities in this regard. Upto March 1996, assistance for the following programmes was approved by the commission.
1. Workshops/seminars on environment education at P.G. level in different departments in 10 universities/colleges.
2. Introduction of a special paper on environment education at P.G. level in different departments in 10 universities/colleges.
3. Introduction of M.Sc. course in environment education in 10 universities.
4. Six research projects on 'Flyash Accumulation and Finding of Avenues for its Mass Scare Utilisation'.
6.1.15 Nearly 100 episodes for promoting environment awareness have also been telecast by the UGC through the 'Country-wide Classroom' programme. The Commission is also preparing a text book as well as popular literature for undergraduates with the help of Expert Group on Environment.
Vocationalisation of Education at the First Degree Level 6.1.16 Pursuant to the National Policy on Education, and based on the recommendations made by the Core Committee on Vocationalisation of First Degree Education constituted by the UGC, a programme of vocationalisation of education at the first degree level was launched by the UGC from 1994-95. Funds to the tune of Rs. 26 crore were provided by the Ministry of Human Resource Development for implementation of the programme.
6.1.17 On the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Vocational Education (SCOVE) and its sub-committee/regional committees constituted for the purpose,, the UGC identified 209 institutions (19 Universities and 190 colleges) in the first instance, for starting vocational courses at the first degree level during 1994-95. These institutions could introduce one to three vocational courses in 35 subjects identified by the Core Committee. A list of these 35 subjects is given below
1. Functional Hindi
2. Functional Sanskrit
3. Communicative English
4. Archaeology and Museology
5. Principles and Practices of Insurance
6. Actuarial Science
73
7. Office Management and Secretarial Practices
8. Tax Procedures and Practices
9. Foreign Trade Practices and Procedures
10. Tourism and Travel Management
11. Advertising, Sales Promotion (Sales Management)
12. Computer Application
13. Industrial Chemistry (Seven streams)
14. Food Science and Quality Control
15. Clinical Nutrition Dietetics
16. Industrial Microbiology
17. Bio-technology
18. Biological Tech. and Specimen Preparation
19. Seed Technology
20 Sericulture
21. Industrial Fishing and Fishery
22. Instrumentation
23. Optical Instrumentation
24. Geo-exploration and Drilling Technology
25. Mass Communication Video Production
26. Still Photography Audio Products
27. Electronic Equipment Maintenance
28. Computer Maintenance
29. Electrical Equipment Maintenance
30. Environment and Water Management
31. Rural Technology
32. Automobiles Maintenance
33. Refrigeration and Airconditioning Maintenance
74
34. Construction Technology Management
35. Manufacturing Process
6.1.18 During the year under report, the Standing Committee on Vocational Education constituted Regional Monitoring Groups from amongst its members and conducted monitoring exercises at Bhopal, Bombay, Bangalore, Calcutta and Delhi to assess the progress made by the institutions in starting vocational courses. The monitoring groups had discussions with the institutions and suggested corrective measures on the spot, wherever it was found desirable.
Autonomous Colleges 6.1.19 The Commission has a scheme under which a college declared autonomous by its affiliating university is fully accountable for the content and quality of education it imparts. Such a college is also responsible for setting its own examination papers and for the conduct of examinations. The college evaluates the students for the award of degrees which will be accepted by the parent university. Upto November, 1995, 119 colleges were functioning as autonomous colleges spread over the States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh.
Teacher-Recruitment, Training and Performance Evaluation 6.1.20 During the year, the Commission conducted qualifying test for determining the eligibility for lecturership and for award of Junior Research Fellowship in Humanities and Social Sciences. Similar test in Science subjects was conducted jointly by UGC and CSIR. Under the Academic Staff Orientation Scheme for orientation of newly recruited and in-service college and university lecturers, the Academic Staff Colleges identified by the Commission organise orientation programmes for new teachers and refresher courses for in- service teachers. Upto March 1996, nearly 95000 teachers had participated in these programmes.
Improvement in Efficiency 6.1.21 The Commission has sanctioned computer facilities to 114 universities upto March 1996. In addition, the Commission provided assistance to 1781 colleges upto this period for installing computer facilities. Besides using these facilities for training and research, they can be used for maintenance of students records, accounts and other data required for administration and management. The UGC has also formulated a scheme for training of teachers in the use of computer in those colleges which have been assisted by UGC for purchase of computers. Universities to which these colleges are affiliated have been entrusted the job of imparting training. Upto March 1996, 88 training programmes were approved to be conducted by 31 universities to train participants from 1302 colleges. Universities were also assisted by the UGC for starting an additional paper at PG level in subjects in which computer application has become prominent, like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Geo Sciences, Economics, Library Science and Computers. Eleven Universities were being assisted under the scheme upto March 1996.
75
Special Assistance Programme 6.1.22 The Commission continued to provide assistance to 41 Centres of advanced study and 115 Departments of Special Assistance for Science, Engineering and Technology and 16 Centres of Advanced Study and 108 Departments of Special Assistance in Humanities and Social Sciences up to March 1996. In addition', 84 Departmental Research Support Projects in Science and 47 in Humanities and Social Sciences were under implementation up to March 1996.
COSIST Programme 6.1.23 One hundred forty one departments have been assisted under the scheme of Strengthening Infrastructure in Science and Technology education and research till November, 1995. Assistance under this programme is a one-time input. Departments supported under COSIST have been given functional autonomy. An Evaluation of 17 COSIST supported departments was carried out during the year with respect to bibliometric analysis through the Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre, New Delhi. The infrastructural facilities extended through COSIST support have attracted additional funds not only from funding agencies in India but also from abroad, and have improved teaching instruction both at the postgraduate and research level by enhancing the quality of teaching, particularly the experimental part of the courses. Grants to the tune of Rs.200 lakh were released under the scheme of COSIST during the year 1994-95.
Plan Grants to Universities 6.1.24 At the beginning of the year 1995-96, the Commission provided plan grants to over 107 eligible universities (excluding Agricultural Universities) amounting to Rs. 9664.91 lakh, as part of the total commitment for the 8th plan period. Also, at the beginning of the year 1995-96, plan grants amounting to Rs.4434.74 lakh were released to Central Universities.
6.1.25 Development grants, including grants for specific schemes, are provided to eligible universities in order to facilitate the procurement of such infrastructural facilities as are not normally available to them from the State Government or other bodies supporting them. Assistance is given for faculty posts, academic buildings, students hostels, equipments, books and journals, staff quarters and other facilities designed to promote the quality of teaching and research. While the quantum of outlay for general development for each university is decided at the beginning of the Plan period and is determined on the basis of the stage of development of a particular university, grants for specific schemes are provided on the basis of recommendations of experts after scrutiny for such schemes.
Development of Colleges 6.1.26 VIII Plan grants to colleges are being given on the recommendations of expert committees and in consultation with college principals and State representatives. Outlays have been approved for 3966 colleges so far for the VIIIth Plan. At the beginning of the year 1995-96, plan grants amounting to 4886.79 lakh were paid to the eligible colleges.
76
Common Facilities and Services 6.1.27 Autonomous centres within the university system have been set up to provide common facilities, services and programmes to universities since heavy investment in infrastructure and in-puts have made it beyond the reach of individual universities to obtain these facilities. These centres are inter-university centres set up in different disciplines with the object of providing national research facilities within the university system. As many as 11 such centres have been set up namely, Nuclear Science Centre, New Delhi; Inter- University Centre for Astronomy and Astro Physics, Pune; Inter- University Consortium for DAE Facilities, Indore; Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC, New Delhi; Western Regional Instrumentation Centre, Bombay; Regional Instrumentation Centre, I.I.Sc., Bangalore; Crystal Growth Centre, Anna University; M.S.T; Radar Centre, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati; Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET); Inter-University Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences, Shimla; and Eastern Centre for Research in Astrophysics.
6.1.28 In addition, modern computer-based information/ documentation centres have also been set up at Bangalore, Bombay and Baroda to improve information accessibility to teachers and students and provide necessary bibliographic support to them alongwith making available the latest documentation in the respective disciplines.
Media and Educational Technology 6.1.29 The UGC has taken initiative to utilize the time slot available for higher education to telecast programmes in higher education titled "Country-wide Class room" through which higher education was spread to remote and backward areas of the country. The commission is at present supporting seven Educational Media Research Centres (EMRCs) at the Universities of Pune, Gujarat, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jodhpur, Madurai Kamraj, and at the Central Institute of English and Foreign Language and St. Xavier College, Calcutta. In addition, ten Audio Visual Research Centres (AVRCs) at Roorkee University, Osmania University, Anna University, Kashmir University, Manipur University, Punjab University, Devi Ahilya University, H.S. Gour University, Mysore University and Calicut University, are being supported for training of personnel and production of software. The AVRCs at Mysore and Calicut Universities were set up during the year 1994-95 and more Media Centres in different States are envisaged to be set up during the VIIIth Plan period. Nearly 85% of the higher education programmes transmitted on T.V. are produced indigenously.