 UNIVERSITY AND HIGHER EDUCATION

1. Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi

The Association of Indian Universities, a voluntary organisation with Universities as members, is provided grants for undertaking research/studies in matters of importance of higher education. Financial assistance is also provided for meeting a part of its maintenance expenditure including the activities undertaken by the Research Cell. The Research Cell has undertaken a number of studies which interalia include study on graduate unemployment in India, Universities and Industry interaction, survey of scientific & technical manpower in University sector, trend in educational expenditure, economics of Distance Education etc. AIU Council have, in recent years, emphasised the need for toning up the administrative machinery in universities. With a view to taking up this activity on a systematic basis, the Association have decided to implement a project on Training of University Administrators at National and regional levels. An outlay of Rs.0.23 crore is proposed for 1997-98. Ninth Plan outlay is proposed at Rs. 1.63 crores.

2. Dr. Zakir Husain Memorial College Trust, New Delhi

Dr. Zakir Husain Memorial College Trust, with Prime Minister and the Minister or Human Resource Development as President and Vice- President respectively, has been set up to administer the Zakir Husain college, Delhi. One of the major programmes decided by the Trust was to shift the College from its present premises (Ajmeri Gate) to Minto Road area. The University Grants Commission is providing financial assistance to the College for meeting expenditure on the development of its new campus according to the approved pattern of assistance. The matching contribution is required to be made by the Trust, Since the Trust has no resources of its own, grants are given by the Department of Education for meeting the matching contribution of the trust. Construction and development of the main teaching, Administration and the Library block have now been completed in the first phase. Outlays of Rs.2.00 crores and Rs. 0.25 crore are proposed for Ninth Plan and Annual Plan 1997-98 respectively.

3. All India Institutions of Higher Learning

Under the scheme of Assistance to All India Institutions of Higher Learning. financial assistance is provided to institutions of All India Character which are offering programmes of Higher Education different from the conventional pattern of University education. Based on the recommendations of the Visiting Committees appointed for assessment of requirement during the Eighth Plan period, financial assistance is being extended to the following institutions:

1. Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, Pondicherry.

2. Lok Bharati, Sanosra, Gujarat.

3. Mitraniketan, Vellanad, Kerala.

4. Sri Aurobindo International Institute of Educational Research, Auroville, Tamil Nadu.

A review of the scheme had been undertaken for its continuance during the 8th Plan period. An outlay of Rs. 0.40 crore is proposed for 1997-98. Proposals for the Ninth Plan at Rs.2.00 crores.

4. Indian Council of Historical Research(ICHR), New Delhi

The Indian Council of Historical Research was set up in 1972 as an autonomous institution to promote the objective of scientific writing of history, to sponsor historical research programmes and to inculcate an informed appreciation of the country's national heritage.

In fulfilment of its objectives the Council is pursuing the programmes of historical research projects by individual scholars, award of fellowship to research scholars, assistance to professional organisations of historians, survey of historical research, preparation of source material of Indian history, organisation of seminar/conferences etc. It is proposed that provision of Rs. 11.62 crores for Ninth Plan and Rs.2.04 crores for Annual Plan 1997-98 be made.

5.Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla

The Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla was set up in 1965 as a residential institution to provide facilities for scholars to pursue advanced research in humanities, social and Natural Sciences and allied fields

As a residential centre, it provides an environment conducive to academic research in Humanities, Indian Culture, Comparative Religions, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences. The Institute awards fellowships to scholars and organises seminars in the priority areas of studies and topics in various disciplines of Social Sciences and Natural Sciences. An outlay of Rs.3.09 crore is proposed for 1997-98. Proposed outlay for the Ninth Plan is Rs. 5,17 crores.

6. Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), New Delhi

The Indian Council of Philosophical Research, a Society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, started functioning from 1981. The main objective of the Council is to review the progress of research in philosophy, To achieve its objectives, the Councilawards various kinds of fellowships,organises seminars in philosophy and related disciplines, arranges Lectures by eminent Indian and foreign Scholars, sanctions travel grants to enable scholars to attend seminars, symposia and conferences held abroad, publishes important Philosophical works etc. An outlay of Rs. 1.84 crores is proposed for 1997-98. A provision of Rs. 17.94 crores for Ninth Plan is proposed.

7.Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) was established in December, 1968 and was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, as an autonomous organisation, on 1st August, 1969. The ICSSR is under the administrative control of the Ministry of BED, Department of Education and is fully funded by the Government.

The ICSSR has in the past established 6 Regional Centres, and undertaken to provide annual maintenance and development grant to 27 Research Institutes, selected, after a careful review by visiting Committee of Experts. The network of 27 ICSSR aided institutes is spread over the entire country and have developed into centres of excellence to employment the social science research of the university system.

The ICSSR has a Documentation Unit known as National Social Science Documentation Centre (NSSDC) located on its headquarters at 35 Ferozeshah

Road, New Delhi, to provide library and information service to social science community. This activity is virtually equivalent to what logistic is for defence and industry.

The main objective of the Council is to review the progress of social science research and give advice to its users, to sponsor social science research programms and projects and administer grants to institutions and individuals for research in social sciences; to institute and administer scholarships and fellowships for research in social sciences; to indicate areas in which social science research is to be promoted and adopt special measures for development of research in neglected or new areas; to give financial support to institutions, associations and, journals engaged in social science research to sponsor training courses in research methodology and to provide guidance for research, to co-ordinate research activities and encourage programmes of inter-disciplinary research, to develop and support centres for documentation services and supply data; to) organise, sponsor and finance seminars, workshops and study groups; to undertake publication and assist publication of journals and books in social sciences; to advise the Government of India on all matters pertaining to social science research referred to it from time to time.

Research Grants:

With approval of Research Committee and the Council, Research projects in Social Science Disciplines are financed. During the year apart form continuing the projects which have commenced in earlier years new research topics will also be approved and given financial assistance.

Research Fellowships: As part of the schemes approved by the Council, National/Senior General/Foundation Day Fellowships and Doctoral Fellowships etc. are awarded to scholars of eminence and financial assistance rendered to them for approved fellowship studies.

Training and Study Grants:

Training is imparted in Research Methodology in Social Science, Library Science and Information Computer Applications and analysing data on Social Science projects.

Regional Centres:

ICSSR has 6 Regional Centres which aware maintained & development programmes in social science research regional languages encouraged by grant of financial assistance.

Documentation and Bibliographical Services:

To encourage research and facilitate reference, latest books and journals on Social Science Research published world-wide are acquired and grants given for Bibliographical Documentation and other Library projects.

b) Establishment of Asian Documentation Centre.

Data Archives:

Financial assistance is provided to Research Institutions for developing Socio-economic Data Banks.

Publications:

Journals and publications in Social Science Disciplines are brought out and financial assistance provided for publication of research material,

International Collaborations:

Cultural Exchange Programmes with countries in Europe and South East Asia are organized on reciprocal basis to disseminate information on research in social science.

Development of Research Institutions:

The Council funds maintenance and development of 27 Research Institutions situated in various parts of the country for encouraging research and provides infrastructural facilities like buildings, libraries, etc.

Other Programmes:

Seminars and Conferences are organized and also financed. Grants are given to professional organizations of social scientists for publishing journals or other activities.

Land, Building and Equipment:

A new building complex is under construction for permanent location of the Council.

For 1997-98, the proposed outlay is Rs. 12.61 crores. Proposed outlay for Ninth Plan is Rs.80.00 crores.

8. Punjab University

The maintenance expenditure of the university is being shared at present by the Government of Punjab and the UT Administration of Chandigarh in the ratio of 40:60. The development expenditure of the university is met. mainly from the grants sanctioned by the UGC for specific programmes in accordance with the guidelines of the Commission. The university, however, has to provide the matching share for the development grants sanctioned by the UGC and also to finance several projects and programmes which are not covered by the schemes of the UGC. In order to meet these requirements the Central Government has been sanctioning annually appropriate amount as loan to the University. An outlay of Rs. 0.01 crore is proposed for 1997-98. For the Ninth Plan, proposed outlay of Rs.0.05 crores.

9. University Grants Commission (UGC)

The Indian higher education is one of the largest in the World. The facilities of higher education are available practically in all branches of education and enrolment in higher education has reached a level of 6.5 million. The number of Universities in the country has gone up to 208 and colleges to 9278. The enrolment of weaker section of society like SC/ST and women has also gone up. The enrolment of women has reached 33 percent. It is estimated that at the end of this century the enrolment in higher education would touch. a mark of 13 million.

The Mandate of UGC

Through an Act of Parliament the University Grants Commission was set up in 1956 to coordinate and maintain the standards in higher education. Since its inception the Commission has initiated and carried out several schemes for the promotion and maintenance of standards in higher education. With the support of funds provided by the Government of India through the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Human Resource Development the Commission has helped universities and colleges to develop. The schemes and programmes initiated by the University Grants Commission were aimed at development of human resource through quality and faculty improvement programmes, development of

infrastructure facilities and acquisition of equipment, development of library promotion and encouragement of research and development in the universities and colleges. The Commission has also framed regulations in consultation with universities/colleges and academics towards maintenance of standards in higher education.

The programmes and schemes have helped building reasonably good base for higher education in the country, which in turn has helped development of well qualified human resources to support the development of Indian Economy and Society.

Status of Implementation of Eight Five Year Plan

An outlay of Rs.612.00 crores was approved for the 8th Plan. The actual allocation during the five years of the Plan was Rs. 1002.62 crores.

Due to paucity of funds during the VIIIth Plan, prestigious and important schemes like Special Assistance Programmes, major research projects, Research Fellowships, Innovative Programmes, COSIP/COHSSIP/USIC College Development Councils were frozen and no fresh proposals were considered.

Some of the schemes namely, Bharat Bhavan Hostel Complex, Financial assistance to State Councils of Higher Education, educationally backward colleges, etc. could not be started due to paucity of funds.

Schemes like Mobilisation of Resources, Girls Hostel being very important though not envisaged in the eighth five year plan were initiated with very meagre resources. These would, therefore, need to be strengthened during the ninth five year plan along, with other schemes of development and meeting of the backlog from the past.

Proposed IXth Plan

Proposed outlays for the Ninth Five Year Plan and the Annual Plan 1997-98 are Rs.4606.34 crores and Rs.829.14 crores respectively.

10. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)

In Eighth Plan, a sum of Rs.60.00 crores has been allocated for maintenance and development of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

During 1997-98 the University plans to launch many new programmes. Also the provision of funds for teleconference programme through satellite network on IGNOU is to be made. It is proposed that an outlay of Rs. 72.50 crores be made for Annual Plan 1997-98 and for the Ninth Five Year Plan, an outlay of Rs. 775 crores be provided.

11. National Evaluation Organisation (NEO)

National Policy on Education-1986, as modified in 1992, envisages that. a beginning will be made in delinking degrees from jobs in selected areas, particularly in services for which a University degree need not be a necessary qualification. NPE also visualises that, concomitant with delinking, an appropriate machinery, such as National Evaluation Organisation (NEO), will be established to conduct tests on voluntary basis to determine the suitability of candidates for specific jobs, to pave the way for the emergence of norms of comparable competencies across the nation and to bring about an overall improvement in testing and measurement, The National Evaluation Organisation has been set up is an autonomous Registered Society for this purpose. The National Evaluation Organisation will:

a) conduct tests on a voluntary basis to determine and certify the suitability of candidates for specified jobs that do not required a diploma or degree qualifications;

b) make the test available for candidates taking the same on their free will and those who are certified as qualified for specified job/services would be eligible for appointment to such posts/services without insisting on an), other qualifications;

c) design a series of tests on the basis of detailed job description, job analysis, etc., to identify requirements of knowledge, competence, skills and aptitudes necessary for the performance, of the identified jobs; and

d) function as a well equipped resource centre at the national level in test development, test administration, test scoring, application of computer systems and optional marks reader, etc.

An amount of Rs. 25.00 lakh is proposed for 1997-98. For the Ninth Five Year Plan, a provision of Rs. 10.00 crores be made.

12. Strengthening of Administrative, Monitoring and Evaluation System

The financial allocations under this scheme are utilised to meet expenditure for providing administrative support to the new initiatives in the field of University and Higher Education. These include preparation of project reports for new projects like establishment of National Council of Higher Education, Accreditation Council, National Evaluation Organisation etc. Outlay of Rs. 1.00 lakh is proposed for 1997-98 and Rs. 0.05 crores for the Ninth Plan.

13. National Council for Higher Education

The NPE 1986 envisages establishment of National Apex Body for bringing about greater coordination and integration in the planning and development of higher education system including research. Accordingly, a proposal for establishing a National Council for Higher Education as a three-tier body was prepared in consultation with the concerned Ministries/Agencies. However, a consensus could not be reached on the structure and functions of the proposed Council. The POA 1992 inter-alia states that efforts would be made to operationalise a national apex body as early as possible. The whole matter is under review in consultation with the concerned Ministries/agencies. A provision of Rs.50.00 lakh has been made for the purpose during the 8th Plan. Provision of Rs. 10.00 lakh is proposed for the Annual Plan 1997-98 and Rs. 1.00 crore for the Ninth Five Year Plan.