HIGHER EDUCAITON AND RESEARCH
Coordination and determination of standards in higher education is a
subject in the Union List and is a special responsibility of the Central Govern-
ment. This responsibility is discharged mainly through the University Grants
Commission which was established in 1956 under an Act of Parliament. Nine
Universities are at present functioning under Ads- of Parliament. Besides,
the Central Government have established agencies for promotion and coordi-
nation of research efforts in specialised fields. There are four such national
agencies at present, namely the Indian Council of Social Science Research,
Indian Council of Historical Research, the Indian Council of Philosophical
Research and the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. The Central Govern-
ment 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 The student enrolment in universities and colleges increased from 33.59
Growth of lakhs in 1983-84 to 35.39 lakhs in 1984-85. The number of students in
Higher the University Departments was 5.95 lakhs and in the colleges 29.44 lakhs.
Education
Enrolment in the Faculty of Arts constituted 40.4% of the total enrol-
ment. In the Faculties of Science & Commerce the percentage was 19.7 and
21.0 respectively. Enrolment at the first degree level was 31.14 lakhs
(88%); at post-graduate level 3.36 lakhs (9.5%); at research level 0.39
lakhs (1.17%); and at diploma and certificate level 0.49 lakhs (1.4%).
Compared to 1983-84, the major increase was only at the first degree level.
The number of teachers increased to 2.25 lakhs. Of these, 0.49 lakhs
were in the University Departments, University Colleges and the rest in the
"Affiliated Colleges". Of the 48733 in the universities 5165 were professors,
11,159 were Readers, 30408 were Lecturers and 2001 Tutors and Demons-
trators. In the affiliated colleges, the number of senior teachers was 26902
and 1,42,408 were Lecturers and 7,469 were tutors/demonstrators.
Now During the year under report, two central universities, namely Indira
Universities Gandhi National Open University and Pondicherry University, and one State
University, namely the Mother Teresa Women's University, Kodaikanal,
were established. The two institutes, namely International Institute for
Population Science, Bombay, and Thapar Institute of Engineering & Techno-
logy, Patiala, were declared as institutions deemed to be universities under
Section 3 of the UGC Act.
Higher The enrolment of women students during 1984-85 was 10.21 lakhs as
Education against 9.77 lakhs during 1983-84. At the post-graduate level the enrolment
among of women was 30.4% of the total enrolment. Enrolment of women students
Women was the highest in Kerala (49.9%), followed by Punjab (43.9%), Delhi
(43.6%) and J & K (37.3%). The percentage was the lowest in Bihar
(14.7%).
Activities during 1984-85 : The activities implemented by the Commission
broadly fall into the following categorie's
(I) Special Programmes for improvement of quality.
(II) Support for Research.
(III) Development of. Universities.
(IV) Development of Colleges.
(V) Other Schemes.
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Special Programmes for The Commission is at present providing assistance to 19 centres of
Improvement of Quality Advanced Study and 65 Departments of Special Assistance in Science,
of Special Assistance Engineering & Technology and 10 centres of Advanced Study and 27
Study & Departments Departments of Special Assistance in Humanities and Social Sciences.
of Special Assistance
(b) Departmental At present 45 Departmental Research Projects in Science and four in
Research Support Humanities and Social Sciences are under implementation.
(c) College Science improvement The Commission is presently assisting 237 colleges under COSIP and
Programme (COSIP) College 40 University Departments under ULP in Science. Similarly 400 colleges
Humanities and Social Science under COHSSIP and 16 University Departments under ULP in Humanities
Improvement Programme (COHSSIP) and Social Sciences are receiving assistance from the Commission.
Programme (ULP)
(d) Panels in During the year i.e. 1984-85, the various panels made a series of propo-
Science, sals for raising the standards of teaching, for example, the identification of
Humanities & talented students, summer schools for them, strengthening of infrastructure of
Social libraries and laboratories, adoption of more effective teaching methods than
Science the single method of lecturing used nowadays and improving professional
competence of teachers. They have also suggested measures for improving
research by increasing scholarship amounts to attract and adequately sup-
port talented scholars by improving supervision and evaluation at the
Universities and by adequate monitoring by the Commission.
(e) Common The Commission has been trying to develop certain facilities at the
Facilities and national level for the use of University scientists. Details are as under
Service
(i) Nuclear Science Centre : A nuclear science centre in the univer-
sity sector has been set up at the JNU campus. A technical
committee has been constituted to formulate a plan of action.
Orders have been placed for the import of pelletron. It is
also proposed to send bright young scientists to Canada for
receiving training in the area of accelerator physics.
(ii) Centres for Materials Research: The Commission has consti-
tuted a Committee to consider the steps that may be taken for
the strengthening of Materials Research in the University sec-
tor. The Committee would also identify National Centres in
some of the selected universities and also suggest training pro-
grammes/workshops to enable university scientists from the
departments of Physics, Chemistry and Biology to interact with
a view to developing materials of importance which are of wide
applications in the industry.
(iii) Centre for Laser and Fibre Optics : Considering that the sub-
jects of laser and fibre optics are very important and they play
a vital role in the basic and research applications, the Commis-
sion constituted an expert committee to examine the feasibility
of establishing a few national/regional centres in identified uni-
versities where the basic infrastructure is available. The Com-
mittee has recommended training programmes and workshops
in the areas of laser and fibre optics particularly with regard to
their application in diverse fields. The recommendations of
the Committee will be considered by the Physics Panel and
finally by the Commission.
(iv) Centre for Astrophysics & Astronomy: An export committee has
been constituted by the Commission for the promotion of Edu_
cation and Research in the fields of Astronomy and Astrophysics
in the universities. A National Workshop on future develop-
ments in astronomy education and research with a view to
examining the various aspects and to prepare a plan of action
is proposed to be organised.
(v) National Centre for Astronomy: The Commission has approved
the setting up of a National Centre for Astronomy at the
Rangapur Observatory, Osmania University, Hyderabad. This
observatory will be developed as a National Centre which will
be used by astronomers from universities and outside.
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(vi) University Centre. for Science Information : The Commission
has approved the establishment of the University Centre for
Science information at the Indian Institute of Science, Banga-
lore. The Centre would offer a current awareness service
through computerised monthly abstracts in various subjects of
science and technology in the Indian, Universities. It would also
provide authentic and up-to-date extracting services to the
users of papers and educate the users in generating queries for
their needs for optimal utilisation of the information services.
The Centre will function as a national facility in order to serve
the needs of research scientists in the university system.
(vii) Development of Multi-disciplinary Teaching and Training in
Bio-technology (National Bio-technology Board-UGC Col-
laborative Programme) : At a joint meeting of the National
Bio-technology Board (Department of Science and Technology,
Government of India) held on 7th February, 1983 it was sug-
gested that Universities which have active research groups in
the area of Bio-technology may be strengthened on a selective
basis for purposes of training manpower required at different
levels as well as for undertaking research in well-defined areas
of Bio-technology. Six universities have been identified for
the implementation of the programme over a period of 5 years.
(f) Mass-Communication With INSAT-1B becoming operational, a transmission time of one-hour
& Educational Technology every day in the afternoon on programmes of higher education has been en-
Centres sured. 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 Re-
search Centres (EMRCs) at Poona University, 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 materials for daily telecast
through Doordarshan.
A Standing Committee on Electronic Media/Mass Communication has
also been constituted to advise on programmes to cover telecasting and using
mass media for (i) Distance Education, (ii) Class room enrichment and
(iii) Continuing Education.
(g) Promotion of The Commission continued to provide assistance to three universities
Buddhist viz. Poona, Andhra and Saugar for appointment of staff and purchase of
Studies books for strengthening teaching and research related to Buddhist Studies.
(h) Promotion of In view of the importance of Gandhian Studies in universities at the level
Gandhian of teaching and research as well as by way of extension activities, the Corn-
Studies 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. A Standing Committee has been set up to advise the
Commission on the promotion of Gandhian studies in the universities.
(i) Nehru The Commission has, on the recommendations of an expert committee
Studies decided to promote Nehru studies in the universities.
During the year under report, National Fellowship for indepth study on
Nehru was awarded to Professor M. N. Das, Vice-Chancellor, Utkal Univer-
sity.
The Commission has also set aside five research associateship and 10
Junior Research Fellows for undertaking post-doctoral and pre-doctoral
studies on Nehru.
(j) Bilateral The Commission continued to implement the various items under the
Exchange Cultural Exchange Programme assigned to it by the Government of India
Programmes 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
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language teachers to universities in India. During the year 1984-85, 56
Indian teachers were able to undertake visits abroad under these program-
mes. The corresponding number of scholars coming to India under the
programmes during the same period is 74.
(b) Adult, The Commission has been providing financial assistance to universities
Continuing & and colleges for adult and continuing education and extension programmes.
Extension
Education & As on 31-3-85, 74 universities and 2080 colleges were involved in the
Distance programme and 36974 centres were sanctioned by the UGC.
Learning
During the year under report 54 universities and 18 colleges were assist-
ed under the scheme. In order to ensure effective linkage of post-literacy
with continuing education programme, the Commission has agreed to provide
assistance to universities and colleges upto 31-3-1990.
The Commission also provides assistance for establishment of population
education clubs in universities/colleges; as on 31-3-85, 49 universities and
814 college were assisted under the scheme.
Support for The Commission approved 79 major research projects in Humanities
Research and Social Sciences at a cost of Rs. 40.44 lakhs during the year, and 335
a) Major projects in science, engineering and technology at a cost of
Research Rs. 316.76 lakhs.
Projects
(b) Minor The Commission approved 682 minor research projects in Humanities
Research and social sciences at a cost of Rs. 45.59 lakhs during the year, and 335
Projects projects in science, engineering and technology at cost of Rs. 316.76 lakhs.
(c) Scholarships For the development of research in universities and colleges, the Com-
and mission provides assistance every year towards 2896 junior research fellow-
Fellowships ships, 150 research associateships in sciences, humanities and social sciences
and 60 research fellowships in engineering and technology. 30 national fel-
lowships are available for teachers of outstanding eminence to take a year
off from normal duties to devote themselves exclusively to research and
writing of results of their study. During the year 1984-85, 12 research
fellowships were awarded. The Commission also awarded a national fel-
lowsbip for two years for the study of Jawaharlal Nehru and his contribu-
tion. Besides, the Commission has schemes of national associateships,
emeritus fellowships, teacher fellowships etc.
(d) National The University Grants Commission conducted a National Level Test as
Educational an eligibilty requirement for the award of Junior Research Fellowship on
Testing the 26th August, 1984 in 12 subjects-Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
Life-Sciences, Zoology, Geography, Economics, Political Science, Philosophy,
Psychology, Sociology and History. The examination was conducted with
the help of 72 university centres in universities which agreed to conduct the
test on behalf of the Commission within the framework of rules and proce-
dures laid down for the purpose. The results of the examination held on
26th August. 1984 were declared in December 1984 and 1205 candidates
were declared eligible for award of fellowship out of 12,862 actually appeared.
Development of The developmental assistance of the Commission to the universities is
Universities determined on the basis of a number of factors like the size of the univer-
sity, present stage of growth and development, goals & objectives, financial
& human resources, etc. Specific allocation to universities are made on the
basis of the recommendations of the Visiting Committees which assess the
needs and requirements of the universities for a five-year period. The Com-
mission's approach towards the development of universities in the Seventh
Plan will be based on the following considerations. (a.) the need for uni-
versity development for on-going programmes and inputs for strengthening
the existing courses in regard to new emerging areas of national importance:
(b) the need to replenish the infrastructural facilities: and (c) provision for
the growth of higher education by way of new institutions and increase in
the intake capacity of existing institutions in order to have optional utiliza-
tion of available resources.
(i) Campus development of universities : The Commission constituted
a committee for working out a pattern of assistance for campus development
of central universities and institutions deemed to be universities. In the light