UNIVERSITY AND HIGHER EDUCATION
Higher Education is crucial for rapid development. It provides the manpower to all sectors of national economy contributes significantly to the development of science and technology; and research. There has been tremendous expansion of higher education system over the years with remarkable diversity. Enrolment of women, SCs and STs has also witnessed substantial increase in general as well as professional courses.
University Grants Commission is responsible for determination and maintenance of standards in higher education.
It advises the Central and State Governments on the measures necessary for the improvement of university education besides framing regulations on various aspects of higher education.
Some of the major thrust areas during the year are: Human Resource Development, Research and Studies in Emerging and Inter- disciplinary areas, Environment Education, Vocationalisation of Education at the first degree level, Academic Staff Colleges for orientation of teachers, Eligibility test for recruitment of lecturers, Distance Education, Strengthening of Infrastructure in Science and Technology (COSIST) Programme, Spread of Mass Communication and Educational Technology Network, Computer Education, Education for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the minority communities, Education for Women.
The following important institutions/ Central Universities are also functioning in the area of higher education:
1. Aligarh Muslim university (AMU), Aligarh.
2. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi,
3. University of Delhi, Delhi.
4. University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad.
5. Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi.
6. Jawahar Lal Nehru University, (JNU), New Delhi.
7. North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong.
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8. Pondicherry University, Pondicherry.
9. Viswa Bharati, Santi Niketan.
10. Nagaland University, Kohima.
11. Assam university, Silchar.
12. Tejpur University, Tejpur.
13. Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.
14. Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar University, Lucknow.
Other important institutions for higher learning and Research are:
1. Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla.
2. Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi.
3. Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), New Delhi.
4. Indian Council of Philosophical Research, (ICPR) New Delhi.
5. National Council of Rural Institute (NCRI) Hyderabad.
The Punjab University is an inter-State body corporate. Its maintenance expenditure is shared by the Government of Punjab and UT Administration of Chandigarh in the ratio of 40:60. The development expenditure is met mainly by UGC. Government of India has been providing funds annually as loan to the University.
Dr. Zakir Hussain. Memorial College Trust was established in 1973 to take over the management and maintenance of Dr. Zakir Hussain College (formerly Delhi College). The maintenance expenditure of the college is shared between UGC and the Trust in the ratio of 95:5. UGC also provide developmental grants. Since the Trust has no source of income, grants are provided by the Government of India for meeting the expenditure.
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