 HIGHER EDUCATION

In the field of higher education, the Union Ministry of Education is responsible for the maintenance of the four Central Universities- Aligarh, Banaras, Delhi and Visva-Bharati. It is also responsible for the co-ordination and maintenance of standards in higher education and, it is for this purpose that the University Grants Commission was constituted in 1953.

2. Grants are paid, through the University Grants Commission, to the Central Universities on hundred per cent basis both for their maintenance and development and to State universities on a sharing basis for their development projects only. In addition to statutory universities, grants are also paid by this Ministry as well as the UGC to institutions declared as deemed to be universities' under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, for maintenance and development. These grants are given with the two-fold object of enabling universities and other institutions of higher education to meet the unprecedented demand for education on the one hand and of the urgent need to improve the quality of education on the other.

A. CENTRAL UNIVERSITIES

3. Some of the significant developments in the Central universities in the matter of expansion and improvement of quality of education are briefly indicated below:

Aligrah Muslim University

4. Evening Classes: Evening classes in pre-university and first and second years of the three-year degree courses in commerce and arts were started from the academic session 1966-67 for the benefit of the employees of the University, Government offices and educational and industrial establishments of the town. The total enrolment in the University during the year was 6,231 including 220 in the evening classes-111 in commerce and 109 in arts.

5. New Courses: Diploma courses in electronics engineering, costume design and dress-making and architectural assistant-ship for women were introduced from this session in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology and 50 students were admitted.

6. Seminars and Symposia: During the year, the following conferences, seminars and symposia were organised:

(i) Research Seminar on Analysis, sponsored by the UGC, was held in May, 1966, in the Department of Mathematics, where problems of studies and research in mathematics were discussed. Thirty teachers from different parts of the country participated in it.

(ii) A Symposium on Devaluation was held in August, 1966, in the Faculty of Commerce.

(iii) The Department of Geography organised an Autumn School in Geography in October, 1966, in which more than 50 delegates from 15 universities participated.

(iv) A three-day All-India Seminar on Entomology was held in October, 1966, in the Department of Zoology. Over one hundred entomologists from all over the country participated in it.

(v) The 23rd session of All-India Oriental Conference was held in the University in October, 1966. About 600 delegates from all over the country and abroad participated in it.

(vi) A four-day Symposium on Plant Anatomy was held in December, 1966. It was attended by delegates from all over the country besides an American professor.

7. Hostels (i) A now hostel for Indian and foreign women students was started in a leased building.

(ii) Two hostels were placed under the self-management of students.

Banaras Hindu University

8. Vice-Chancellor: Shri N. H. Bhagwati, who was the Vice- Chancellor of the University since 16th April, 1960, relinquished office on 15th April, 1966. Dr. Triguna Sen, who was appointed as Vice-Chancellor in his place, took over on 9th October, 1966. He has since resigned consequent upon his appointment as the Union Education Minister. The visitor has been pleased to appoint Dr. K. N. Udupa, Principal, College of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University as the Rector of the University with effect from 18th March, 1967.

9. Students Welfare: The Academic Council of the University has approved a scheme whereby all matters relating to students affairs and maintenance of discipline will be decided by the students themselves. The scheme provides for the formation of five committees, viz., (1) Students Affairs Committee in each hostel; (2) Students Affairs Committee in each college; (3) University Council of Students Affairs; (4) Students Council of Honour, and (5) Students Court of Honour. Such a scheme has been started for the first time in an Indian university.

10. Golden Jubilee: The University celebrated its Golden Jubilee in February, 1967. A book containing its history running over 800 pages was released on the occasion.

11. The Banaras Hindu University (Amendment) Bill, 1966: The Bill has been passed by both Houses of Parliament. After receiving the assent of the President, it has been brought into force with effect from 31st December, 1966.

University of Delhi

12. Enrolment: In July 1966, the total enrolment of the University was 45,069. It included 37,373 regular students, 6,304 students registered with the Directorate of the Correspondence Courses and 1,392 non-collegiate women students on the rolls of the Non- Collegiate Women's 'Education Board. Women students constituted about 41 per cent of the university population.

13. Admission: The University had 36 colleges including 6 colleges running evening classes for the employed persons in the Capital. In order to meet the growing demand for university

education, the University permitted ten colleges to admit additional number of students to their undergraduate courses, under the Extended Scheme. Under this scheme, the maximum number of students that a college could admit was raised from 1,000 to 1,500.

14. Visiting Professors: A number of eminent scholars joined the University as visiting Professors. They are: (i) Prof. M.A. Gelfand (Library Science), (ii) Prof. Gerald Kelly (Psychology), (iii) Prof. C. Gilpatric (Philosophy), (iv) Prof. Gopal Singh (Panjabi), (v) Prof. Hahkkuk (Economics), (vi) Prof. H. H. C. Han (Chinese Studies), (vii) Prof. James A.Mc. Clintock (Psychology), (viii) Dr. P. S. Lokanathan (Business Management and Industrial Administration), (ix) Prof. K. Nakagawa (Economics), (x) Dr. Niharranjan Ray (History), (xi) Prof. Novozhilov (Physics and Astro-physics), and (xii) Prof. William Halperin (History).

15. Professors Emeritus: The title of Professor Emeritus was conferred upon Dr. V. K. R. V. Rao, who continued to be associated with the University as Honorary Professor of Economics.

16. Buildings: The following academic and other buildings were completed during the year: (i) Extension to Zoology Block; (ii) Extension to Botany Block; (iii) Building of the School of Social Work; (iv) Building of the Department of Business Management; (v) Twenty F-Type Quarters at Maurice Nagar; (vi) Delhi University Women's Association Building; (vii) The Day Students Centre; (viii) Examination Hall (under completion); and (ix) Guest House-cum-Club (under completion).

Visva-Bharati

17. New Chancellor: Consequent upon the sad and sudden demise of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, Acharya (Chancellor) of the University, Shrimati Indira Gandhi, an alumnus of the Visva-Bharati and Prime Minister of India, was elected as the Acharya (Chancellor) for a term of three years commencing from April 11, 1966.

18. New Courses of Studies: The following new courses of studies were introduced from the 1966-67 academic session: (i) A four-year postgraduate diploma Course in Chinese studies; (ii) A four-year degree course in music and dance; (iii)

A four-year senior certificate course in music and dance; and (iv) A part-time two-year certificate course in music and dance.

19. Building: Among the new constructions completed during 1966- 67, some of the major works included an and International House, a block of Pearson Memorial Hospital an extension of the girls' hostel and an extension of The Tagore Memorial Picture Gallery.

20. Seminars: Three, seminars were held during the year. These are: (i) The Concept of Pramana in Philosophy;

(ii) Cultural Confusion in Modern India; and

(iii) Writing of Indian History.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University

21. The Bill for the establishment of the University was passed in both the Houses of Parliament in December, 1966. Further action to establish the University is being taken.

Central University for the North East Forntier Region of India.

22. On the recommendation of the Committee jointly set up by the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission, it is proposed to set up a Central University for the North East Frontier Region of India to meet the needs for higher education of people of hill areas of Assam, Nagaland, NEFA and Manipur. After the necessary resolution is passed" by the Nagaland Legislature, further action will be taken.

B. INSTITUTIONS DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITIES

23. During the year under report, the number of institutions declared as 'Deemed' universities under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act remained 9 as during the previous year. Their names are given in Annexure II. A brief account of some of these institutions is given below:

24 Jamia Milla Islamia :

During 1966-67, the Jamia Millia continued to receive grants from the Ministry of Education on cover- the-deficit basis. In addition to providing education at all levels the institution maintains a Teachers' College and a Rural Institute. The Jamia Rural Institute has since been merged with the Jamia Millia Islamia and a new course, B.A. (Hons) in Social Work in place of the present Diploma Course in Rural Services is being started.

25. Gujarat Vidyapith, Gurukul Kangri and Kashi Vidyapith:

These institutions have been paid maintenance grants on cover-the- deficit basis and matching share towards the development schemes sanctioned by the University Grants Commission.

26. It has been decided to sanction a loan of Rs. 5 lakh to Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi, for the acquisition of land for the development of campus. The loan is likely to be released during the year 1967-68.

27. The Indian, School of International Studies:

The School is designed to be a centre for advanced studies in international affairs and area studies with special reference to political, economic and social development in the countries of Asia. The School offers a three-year course leading to the doctorate in International Politics and Organisation, International Law, International Economics, Commonwealth Studies. East Asian Studies, South Asian Studies, South East Asian Studies, West Asian Studies, Central Asian Studies, American Studies and Soviet Studies. The School received maintenance grants from the Ministry of Education on cover-the-deficit basis and development grants from the U.G.C. on hundred per cent basis.

C. UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION

28. Basic Facts and Figures:

The total number of universities in the country during the period rose to 70. Besides, there were 9 institutions declared as deemed to be universities under section 3 of the UGC Act. New Universities have been established at Berhampur, Kanpur, Madurai, Meerut, Sambhalpur, Surat (South Gujarat) and in Saurashtra (at Ahmedabad). According to provisional estimates, the, number of universities and affiliated colleges would be about 2,750 as against 2,572

during 1965-66. The student enrolment in the field of higher education (including that in intermediate classes of the Board of Intermediate Education, U.P.) would be 19 lakh (approx.) against 17.29 lakh in 1965-66. The tempo of expansion as a result of the rising demand for higher education in the country has continued during the period under review.

29. Revision of the Salary Scales of University and College Teachers:

With effect from 1st April, 1966, the following scales of pay were introduced in the Central Universities :

        
        Lecturer                                     Rs. 400-40-800-50-950
        
        Reader                                       Rs. 700-50-1250.  
        
        Professor                               Rs. 1100-50-1300-60--1600.

It has also been decided that one-third of the number or professors should be placed in the senior scale of Rs. 1600-100-1800.

30. During the year under report, the Government of India decided to accept the recommendations of the University Grants. Commission for the revision of scales of pay of university and college teachers and to give special assistance to State Governments for implementing these scales with effect from 1st April, 1966. The assistance from the Centre will be given for a period of 5 years. The pattern of assistance in respect of university teachers will be the same as in the last two Plans, namely, 80 per cent of the additional expenditure involved. It has been decided that this pattern should be extended to college teachers also although in the past Central assistance for men's colleges has been at the rate of 50 per cent and for women's colleges at the rate of 75 per cent.

31. The increased assistance from the Centre in respect of college teachers should enable the States to adopt uniformly the University Grants Commission scales for all affiliated colleges, whether run by Government or private organisations. Under this scheme, the State Governments are, required to bear the entire balance of the additional expenditure.

32. Grants to Central Universities : As recommended by a committee under the chairmanship of Dr. C. D. Deshmukh

the following block (maintenance) grants were fixed for the Central, Universities for 1966-67 after an examination of their budgets:

 
        
             Aligarh Muslim University     Rs.94.82 lakh
        
             Banaras Hindu University      Rs.119.00
        
             Delhi University              Rs.70.80
        
             Visva-Bharati                 Rs.37.20

It has been decided that the recurring expenditure on development schemes would become part of the expenditure under the block grant with effect from 1st April, 1967.

33. Correspondence Courses :

Correspondence courses for B.A. (Pass) in the Delhi University have now been placed on a permanent footing. The UGC, to whom this scheme has now been transferred from the Ministry of Education, has appointed a committee to consider the question of extending it to other centres.

34. The maintenance grants paid to non-Government colleges of Delhi University during the period under review amounted to Rs. 1.40 crores. The block grants actually paid to the Central Universities, during this period, amounted to Rs. 3.21 crore (inclusive of the additional expenditure on increased rates of dearness allowance).

35. Development Grants :

The Visiting Committee appointed by the Commission to assess the development proposals of the universities for the fourth Plan period have already visited 28 universities and it is expected that by April, 1967 another 17 universities would have been visited by the respective committees.

36. Basic grants were sanctioned to the universities for the purchase of science equipment and books and journals to meet their, immediate requirements pending the assessment of the fourth Plan development proposals. The basic grants sanctioned at the beginning of the fourth Plan period amounted to nearly Rs. 2.37 crore for equipment, and Rs. 1.27 crore for the purchase of books and journals. In addition, some unassigned grants were also placed at the disposal of the universities for

miscellaneous schemes, such as the exchange of teachers, publication of research work, extension work by university teachers, travel grants for attending conferences and visiting centres of research, etc. The development grants released to the universities for science subjects, humanities and social sciences, engineering and technology and for general schemes are given below. These are exclusive of grants given to them for Centres of Advanced Study and their departments.

(i) SCIENCE SUBJECTS

NON-RECURRING

                                           Amount Paid (Rs. in
                                                     lakh)
             (a) Science Equipment              76.78
             (b) Books and Journals             12.16
             (c) Buildings                      55.50
        
                                    RECURRING 
        
             Contributions towards salaries
             of additional staff sanctioned      45.52
        
             Total                              189.96

(ii) HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

                  (a) Staff and Maintenance          56.47
        
                  (b) Buildings                      34.55
        
                  (c) Equipment                       6.63
        
                  (d) Library                        14.75
        
                  (e) Library Buildings              31.05
                       Total                        143.45

(iii) ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

The Commission continued to provide development grants to universities and institutions maintained by them for higher education in the field of engineering and technology. These grants are given for the improvement of the existing facilities five-year integrated degree courses, development of pharmaceutical education, courses in management studies, postgraduate