International Conference on Higher Education
One of the main focus of the conference relates to Higher Education in India. With 1.3 billion population, India's higher education system is the third largest in the world, next to the United States and China.
The main governing body at the tertiary level is the University Grants Commission, which enforces its standards, advises the government, and helps coordinate between the centre and the state. Accreditation for higher learning is overseen by 12 autonomous institutions established by the University Grants Commission. In discussing higher education in India, four broad issues that have been raised include the following. First, there is simply too much focus on
quantity at present in India. Opening up of newer institutions is being done at
breakneck speed but the performance of the existing ones is not looked into and
bettered. It requires careful educational planning and implementation for
catering to the influx of burgeoning population at the same time providing them
with a quality education. Secondly, several curricula need to be updated
in subjects where change happens quickly. The process of updating of curricula
is something that needs to be done at a faster pace in subjects like engineering,
sciences, etc. Thirdly, there is the
issue of faculty expertise, remuneration and community attitudes to an Indian
faculty versus a foreign faculty. While it is true that some Indian
faculty to
an extent are underperforming most in the top tier institutions are very
capable, brilliant and comparable to faculty in any other place in the world. Finally, there is the issue of research in
Indian higher education institutions and what is being done to better this over
time. Collaboration with centers and research institutions abroad is much needed,
and much talked about strategy for Indian universities. The most critical
element here is funding and often universities are at the mercy of government
for funding. Generally, all the issues being raised are universal in nature. As an invited resource person for the
conference, Prof Dr Normah Omar shares Malaysia's 10-shifts Educational
Blueprint 2015-2025 as a possible higher education's transformation initiative that India could possibly emulate.
