(5) encouragement of the programmes of autonomous colleges.

(6) monitoring the progress of implementation of programmes and assessment of performance of institutions.

(7) advising the State Governments in setting up new institutions.

(B)NATIONAL, APEX BODY (Para 5.34)

23. The Policy envisages the establishment of a national body covering higher education in general, agriculture, medical, technical, legal and other professional fields for greater coordination and consistency of policy, sharing of facilities, and developing inter- disciplinary research.

24. Presently, the responsibility for development of higher education Is shared by a number of agencies. There are separate structures for higher education in agriculture, engineering and medicine. This separation in the decision making and funding mechanisms has become more of a problem because various disciplines are emerging, and the courses of study have to be developed keeping in view the need for developing compatible inter-faces with other related disciplines.

25. In order to remedy this problem it is proposed to establish an apex body at the national level for higher education to deal with policy aspects of higher education and to undertake integrated planning and to reinforce programmes of post-graduate education and inter-disciplinary research.

26. For areas such as agriculture, medicine, engineering, distance learning etc. separate bodies will be set up. These bodies structured on the lines of the University Grants Commission, along with UGC itself, will oversee all operational aspects of higher education. The details of the legislation and/or other means for the establishment of these bodies will be worked out. The major functions to be performed by the apex body would be:

(a) to advise Government on Policy;

(b) to coordinate activities of the other bodies in different fields;

(d) to allocate resources;

(e) establishment and management of common infrastructures and institutions; and

(f) coordination of policy concerning external academic relations.

(C) ACCREDITATION AND ASSESSMENT MACHINARY

27. Excellence of institutions of higher education is a function of many aspects; self evaluation and self improvement are important among them. If a mechanism is set up which will encourage self-assessment in institutions and also assessment and accreditation by a Council of which these institutions are corporate members, the quality of process , participation, achievements, etc., will be constantly monitored and improved.

28. It is proposed to develop a mechanism for accreditation and assessment for maintaining and raising the quality of institutions of higher education. As a part of its responsiblity for the maintenance and promotion of standards of education, the UGC will, to begin with, take the initiative to establish Accreditation 'and Assessment Council as autonomous body. It will evolve its own criteria and methodology for accreditation and assessment. Its main functions will be catalytic; it will not be enforcing any given norms and standards. It will analyse and evaluate institutions and their performance to facilitate self-improvement. This Council will be supported by a professional secretariat in the performance of its functions.

MOBILITY

29. The Policy visualises measures to facilitate inter-regional mobility by providing equal access to every Indian of requisite merit regardless of his origin and emphasises the universal character of a university. To achieve this objective, the state Governments and Universities will be encouraged to admit students based on merit without any regard to domicile or nativity. Schemes to provide necessary support and guidance to institutions to admit students from other States will be evolved. In order that the all-India character in the composition of the student enrolment and faculty strength is ensured, priority will be given to schemes for construction of student hostels, staff quarters, provision of scholarships, etc. Efforts will be made to move towards the objective of making recruitment of teachers on all-India basis in consultation with the State Governments.

30. Extenion service and continuing education programmes will be an essential component of programmes and activities of all the universities. Provision will be made to secure greater involvement of teachers and students in the universities in extension services which will be as important a function of the universities as teaching and research. To promote and strengthen this function provision for academic recognition /credit will be considered in the course requirements.