ASHWAMEDHA’09

IGNITE
THE HIGHER EDUCATION PROBLEM

SHRUTI TEWARI | XLRI SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND HUMAN RESOURCES

 PROBLEMS PRESENTED

Inability of the “vast talent pool” to impress companies

Employability issues – Only half the workforce is acceptable

Dwindling number of Master’s and PhDs in engineering

SLIDE
PROBLEMS
PRESENTED
CURRENT
SCENARIO
SOLUTION
PROPOSED 2
 CURRENT SCENARIO
 Government established UGC in 1953
 Primary role of UGC has been to regulate the standard and
spread of higher education in India
 There has been marked progress in the number of colleges &
enrolment

18000 11000  17000 colleges

10000

20 Central Universities
16000
9000


Enrolments ('000)
14000
No. of Institutions

8000
12000 7000
10000
8000
6000
5000
 217 State Universities
4000

106 Deemed Universities

6000
4000
3000

2000
2000

13 institutes of National
1000
0 0

1947- 1950- 1960- 1970- 1980- 1990- 2000- 2005-
48 51 61 71
Year
81 91 01 06
Importance
Total Enrolment('000)

SLIDE
PROBLEMS
PRESENTED
CURRENT
SCENARIO
SOLUTION
PROPOSED 3
 CURRENT SCENARIO
MAJOR ISSUES & CONCERNS
 Regulatory system fails to maintain standards despite formidable
entry barriers for institutions
 Over-centralization; Lack of institutional autonomy and
accountability; very slow response to changes
 Difficulties in recruitment and retention of qualified teachers in
critical areas
 Poor standards of academic research
 Little knowledge creation– little interaction with economy, society
and other academic/ research institutions
 Chaotic and unplanned expansion
 Skill shortages despite high graduate unemployment

SLIDE
PROBLEMS
PRESENTED
CURRENT
SCENARIO
SOLUTION
PROPOSED 4
 SOLUTION PROPOSED

1 2 3

INVESTMENT & RECOGNITION

KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
CORPORATE VISIBILITY

SLIDE
PROBLEMS
PRESENTED
CURRENT
SCENARIO
SOLUTION
PROPOSED 5
 1 CORPORATE VISIBILITY 2 3

 Establish “Innovation Laboratories” in conjunction with companies

 Get live research based projects from organizations
 Make research oriented project mandatory per year of engineering
 Company representation on institutions’ boards to facilitate
curriculum overhaul
 Initiate student activities by making investments in student
conferences, diversity initiatives, global activities, and leadership
development
 Get corporate speakers, thus providing unique opportunities for
industry’s top thought leaders to share their perspective, expertise,
and advice with students

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PROBLEMS
PRESENTED
CURRENT
SCENARIO
SOLUTION
PROPOSED 6
 1 CORPORATE VISIBILITY 2 3

RATIONALE

 Companies are looking for Quality Post-graduate engineers

 Once they are involved in undergraduate & post graduate institutes

and engage students in research projects, it will serve the following
purpose
 Companies can get important projects implemented
 Students can get exposure to what the industry requires
 Students can map their career paths during the course

SLIDE
PROBLEMS
PRESENTED
CURRENT
SCENARIO
SOLUTION
PROPOSED 7
 1 2 INVESTMENT & RECOGNITION 3

Investment by institution in:

 Creating a flexible, state-of-the-art learning environment
 Learning centers which represent the four cornerstones of a
comprehensive education
 Faculty-driven research, including course development & case
writing
 Flexibility to respond quickly to new ideas and to pursue projects

The companies gain through:

 Access to students, faculty, and executives
 Affiliation to build brand awareness with students and to provide
corporate association
SLIDE
PROBLEMS
PRESENTED
CURRENT
SCENARIO
SOLUTION
PROPOSED 8
 1 2 3 KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE

Initiate “Corporate Programs” to focus on:

 Multidisciplinary projects
 Industry networking
 Collaborative learning
 Dissemination of leading research

To bridge gaps between education system in USA/UK and India,

initiate “University Programs” where:
 Professors from foreign universities share their knowledge with
Indian students

SLIDE
PROBLEMS
PRESENTED
CURRENT
SCENARIO
SOLUTION
PROPOSED 9
THANK YOU!

SHRUTI TEWARI | XLRI SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND HUMAN RESOURCES