HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
Coordination and determination of standards in higher education is a sub- ject in the Union list and is a special responsibility of the Central Gover- nment. This responsibility is discharged mainly through the University Grants Commission which was established under an Act of Parliament. Seven Universities, commonly known as Central Universities, are at present functioning under Acts of Parliament. Besides, the Central Government have established agencies for promotion and coordination of research efforts in specialised fields. There are four such national agencies at present, namely the Indian Council of Social Science Research, the Indian Council of Histori- cal Research, the Indian Council of Philosophical Research and the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. The Central Government have also been implementing a number of schemes in the field of higher education and' research, including those relating to academic collaboration between India and other countries.
A. UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION
Trends and Growth of The student enrolment in universities and colleges increased from 31.33
Higher Education lakhs; in 1982-83 to 33.59 lakhs in 1983-84. The rate of growth was 7.2 per
cent against 6.1 per cent in the previous year. The number of students in the
university departments was 6.12 lakhs and in colleges 27.47 lakhs.
Enrolment in the faculty of Arts constituted 39.1 % of the total enrolment.
In the faculties of Science & Commerce, the percentage was 19.8 and 22.4
respectively. Enrolment at the first degree level was 29.32 lakhs (87.3%); at
post-graduate level 3.31 lakhs (9.8%); at research level 0.43 lakhs (1.3%);
and at diploma and certificate level 0.53 lakhs (1.6%). Compared to 1982-83,
the major increase was only at the first degree level.
The number of teachers increased to 2.20 lakhs. Of these, 0.49 lakhs were
in the university departments, university colleges and the rest in the 'affiliated
colleges'. Of the 48694 in the universities, 4860 were professors, 11,189
were readers, 30,630 were lecturers and 2015 were tutors and demonstra-
tors. In the affiliated colleges, the number of senior teachers was 20,186 and
1,44,293 were lecturers.
During 1983-84, two institutions, namely, the Banasthali Vidyapith,
Banasthali (Rajasthan) and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatna-
gar, Bareilly, were declared "Deemed Universities" under section 3 of the
UGC Act. The number of affiliated colleges increased from 5039 to 5246 in
1983-84.
Higher Education The enrolment of women students during 1983-84 was 9.77 lakhs as
among Women against 8.80 lakhs during 1982-83. The percentage of women students
increased from 28.1% during 1982-83 to 29.1% in 1983-84. At the post-
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graduate level, the enrolment of women was 30.8% of the total enrolment.
Enrolment of women students was the highest in Kerala (49.6%), followed by
Delhi (42.5%), Jammu & Kashmir (42.3%) and Punjab (41.6%). The percen-
tage was the lowest in Bihar (15.3%).
Activities during 1983-84 The programmes implemented by the Commission broadly fall into four
major categories:
1) Special Programmes for improvement of quality.
2) Support for research.
3) Development of universities.
4) Development of colleges.
Special Programmes for The Commission is at present providing assistance to 19 centres of
Improvement of Quality Advanced Study and 62 Departments of Special Assistance in Science, Engi-
(a) Centres of Advanced neering & Technology and 10 centres of Advanced Study and 25 Depart-
Study & Departments ments of Special Assistance in Humanities and Social Sciences.
of Special Assistance
(b) Departmental Research At present, 45 Departmental Research Projects in Science and four in
Support Humanities and Social Sciences are under implementation.
(c) College Science The Commission is presently assisting 228 colleges under COSIP and 40
Improvement Programme. University Departments under ULP in Science. Similarly 245 colleges under
(COSIP), College Humani- COHSSIP and 16 University Departments under ULP in Humanities and
ties and Social Science Social Sciences are receiving assistance from the Commission.
Improvement Programme
(COHSSIP) and University
Leadership Programme (ULP)
(d) Panels in Science, During the year 1983-84, the various panels made series of proposals for
Humanities & Social raising the standards of teaching, for example, the identification of talented
Sciences students, summer schools for them, strengthening of infrastructure of libra-
ries and laboratories, adopting of more effective teaching methods than the
present method of single lecturing, and improving professional competence
of teachers. They have also suggested measures for improving research, by
increasing scholarship amounts to attract and adequately support talented
scholars, by improving supervision and evaluation at the universities and by
adequate monitoring by the Commission.
(e) Common Facilities The Commission has been trying to develop certain facilities at the nati-
and Services onal level for the use of university' scientists. Details are as under:
(i) Nuclear Science Centre: It has been decided to set up a Nuclear
Science Centre in the university sector as a national facility. The Centre
would provide facilities for advanced research to university as well as other
scientists in the related areas of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Medicine
The Centre to be located in Delhi will have a carefully planned, independent
management structure and would be autonomous.
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(ii) Materials Research: With a view to developing materials research, (electronics, metal, ceramic, high polymers etc.) on account of its vide applica- tion in industry, the Commission is proposing to establish national centres in some of the selected universities where already some infrastructure is avail- able. It is envisaged that with the setting up of materials research laboratories at the national/regional levels in the university sector, the gap between academic research and industry would be bridged.
(iii) Laser and Fibre Optics Centres: In view of the wide range of applica- tion of laser and fibre optics, the Commission has been assisting the universi- ties to introduce laser and fibre optics as a regular course at the post-gradu- ate level in selected universities. The Commission is of the view that intensive research in laser and fibre optics in the country needs to be further promoted. It is, therefore, intended to establish a few national/regional centres in identi- fied universities where the basic infrastructure is available. An expert Committee has been constituted for this programme which will help the Commission in identifying the universities for establishment of such centres and the areas of research to be covered by them.
(iv) Centres for Astrophysics and Astronomy: In view of the importance of these fields and the tradition of good work in this area in the country and also because frontline research in these fields is possible at reasonable cost, the Commission proposes to support certain universities to teach special courses in astrophysics/astronomy in their M.Sc. programme. Suitable observing facilities would be provided. A few active centres in astrophysics are proposed to be established. Similarly, it is proposed to develop the Rang- pur Observatory of the Centre of Advanced Study in Astronomy at the Osmania University as national facility for research in the field.
(v) Biotechnology: The University Grants Commission/National Bio- Technology Board Joint Committee has identified seven centres located in the universities to participate in collaborative research and manpower development. Proposals are under the active consideration of the Joint Committee.
(f) Environmental Sciences The Commission, considering the importance of environmental educa-
tion and the role of the university system in developing an adequte level of
environmental awareness and training manpower in this newly emerging
area of importance, constituted an expert committee in 1982 to advise on
matters relating to development, teaching, research and extension work in
environmental sciences in universities and colleges. The Committee has
recommended that environmental sciences be introduced as an integral part
of the existing courses. The Committee was also of the view that specialised
programmes such as undergraduate/postgraduate diploma courses in envi-
ronmental sciences be started with a view to obtaining trained manpower for
teaching environmental sciences. A workshop is also proposed to be orga-
nised to consider these suggestions and also to prepare syllabi for
environmental sciences to be introduced at the undergraduate/postgraduate
level.
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(g) Research Support for The Commission intends to provide adequate institutional facilities in
Projects of National and selected universities for participating in research and development activities
Regional Relevance relevant to economic development of the region. Modalities of cooperation
between the universities, research agencies and industry for this purpose are
being worked out.
(h) Mass Communication & The Commission has been attaching importance to the introduction of
Educational Technology mass communication and educational technology in the university system
Centres on a priority basis. A provision of Rs. 200 lakhs has been made during the
Sixth Plan period for assisting the universities on a selective basis for mass
communication and educational technology programmes.
With INSAT-1B becoming operational, a transmission time of one hour
every day in the afternoon on programme of higher education has been
ensured. The Commission has set up training and production facilities with
standard equipment in six selected centres namely, Mass Communication
Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, Educational Media
Research Centres (EMRCs) at Poona University and Gujarat University and
CIEFL, Hyderabad and Audio-visual Research Centres (AVRCs) at Osmania
and Roorkee Universities, A Central Programme Committee has been set up
to coordinate and channelize suitable material for daily telecast through
Doordarshan.
A one-hour daily telecast of higher education programme was started
from August 15, 1984. Some 800 colleges in different parts of the country
have been advised to purchase colour television sets from the equipment
grants sanctioned to them to receive these telecasts.
(i) Promotion of Buddisht The Commission is providing assistance to three universities viz. Poona,
Studies Andhra and Saugar towards the promotion of Buddhist Studies. This assis-
tance is provided for appointment of staff and purchase of books for streng-
thening teaching and research related to Buddhisht Studies.
(j) Promotion of In view of the importance of Gandhian Studies in universities at the level
Gandhian Studies of teaching and research as well as by way of extension activities, the Com-
mission has been supporting the proposals from universities for the introduc-
tion of courses in Gandhian Thought and Values, strengthening of Gandhi
Bhavans and starting of programmes by way of peace research and other
related activities.
(k) Nehru Studies The Commission has, on the recommendations of an expert committee,
decided to promote Nehru Studies in the universities. To begin with, a Nati-
onal Fellowship is being instituted annually, and some fellowships would be
awarded for pre-doctoral or post-doctoral studies on Nehru. Other measures
include introduction of optional papers at M.A. level and organisation of
seminars, symposia, etc.
(l) Special Programmes for With a view to promoting research and raise standards in sciences, huma-
Improvement of Standards nities and social sciences, the Commission has taken a number of important
measures such as the provision of support to 100 scholars in sciences and
200 scholars in the humanities and social sciences for graduate and master's
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courses. The Commission has also approved the proposals for setting up at
least two information centres, one in humanities and the other in social
sciences on the pattern of the Science Information Centre at the Indian-Insti-
tute of Science, Bangalore. These centres will have the facility for documen-
tation and abstracting articles published in journals, etc., and for supplying
such material to research scholars/teachers of various universities. The loca-
tion of these centres will be decided in due course.
(m) Bilateral Exchange The Commission continued to implement the various items under the
Programmes Cultural Exchange Programmes assigned to it by the Government of India
from time to time. These programmes involve exchange of teachers, deve-
lopment of bilateral academic links between Institutions of higher education,
joint seminars, scholarships and fellowships and assignment of foreign lan-
guage teachers to universities in India. During the year 1983-84,65 Indian
teachers were able to undertake visits abroad under these programmes. The
corresponding number of scholars coming to India under these programmes
during the same period is 66.
(n) Adult Continuing & Extension The Commission has been providing financial assistance to universities
Education & Distance Learning and colleges for adult and continuing education and extension programmes.
The objectives of this programme are to enable universities to establish
mutually beneficial linkages with the community, to provide opportunities
for disseminating knowledge in all walks of life to enable individuals and
groups to fill the gaps in their intellectual growth, professional and technical
competence and understanding of contemporary issues, to cater to the felt
needs of all sections of society, specially the under-privileged sections in
order to secure their effective participation in the development process; and
to enrich higher education by integrating continuing and adult education
programmes and extension work in the system and thus provide opportuni-
ties to remove its isolation.
These programmes will also expose the faculty and students to field expe-
riences and sensitize them to societal problems and realities.
Support for Research
(a) Major Research Projects The Commission approved 96 major research projects in Humanities and
Social Sciences at Rs. 43.87 lakhs and 245 major research projects in Sci-
ence, Engineering and Technology at a cost of Rs. 204.91 lakhs.
(b) Minor Research Projects The Commission approved 372 minor research projects in Humanities
and Social Sciences at a cost of Rs. 33.96 lakhs during the year, and 1223
projects in Science, Engineering and Technology at a cost of Rs. 7543 lakhs.
A series of important steps have been approved to raise the quality of uni-
versity research. The amount of the fellowships have been raised, contin-
gency and departmental support will be enhanced, but only those who qua-
lity in a national test will be selected by the universities for the fellowships.
University and departmental procedures for research are also to be
reviewed.