- The Indian higher educational institutions, especially in the areas of science /research/ technology/management and other related topics, are not exactly in the limelight counting amongst the very best globally is a known fact. Despite several attempts to strengthen the higher education scenario in the country, the educational institutions that have not exactly cracked the code to be counted amongst the premier education portals of the world should be a cause of concern. Of course, there is no dearth of big-ticket plans, announcements, and grandiose proposals being bandied about by the stakeholders over the years.
PC: The Hans India
- But what matters eventually is to ensure those ideas fructify to benefit the students and the nation in the long run. As you are aware, the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) are widely seen as the crown jewels of India in higher education. Of late, there are talks about IITs contemplating opening up outposts in Britain which makes imminent sense. Needless to mention, a top Indian education brand pursuing international expansion makes for a heady feeling and also offers an opportunity to boast about our endeavor possibly positioning at par with international institutions. However, the moot point to ponder over here is whether everything is top class as far as IITs are concerned.
- The obvious question is can they offer a competitive education product in a foreign and more advanced market? Remember, a significant part of IITs’ success at home is built on the fact that some of the smartest of students prep for months to get in, via an extremely competitive examination. We know that these students are likely to shine thanks to their own merit rather than the institutional support. It’s best left to the imagination of the comprehending lot as to how much of their success is due to pedagogy and research quality in IITs, including the older institutions.
PC: India Today Web Desk
- Not surprisingly, as for the new ones, a 2019 CAG audit report of eight IITs set up between 2008-09 found them in deplorable conditions. Reasons quoted are states haven’t provisioned land properly, labs are inadequate, little research is sponsored by non-government sources, and most telling of all, over five years these IITs obtained zero patents. The audit strongly indicts the governing bodies for poor stewardship. Thus, much thought and action should precede envisaged foreign expansion. Conversely, what about foreign universities setting up campuses in India? Recollect, in 2010, when a Union Cabinet first approved a proposal to allow foreign universities to set up branches here, IIT Bombay started work on opening an applied science campus in New York City.
- Sadly, neither project has borne fruit. Recently, National Education Policy 2020 indicates a red carpet for top foreign universities, and Budget 2022 suggests they will soon have a pathway to operate in Gujarat without having to follow restrictive domestic rules. Further, a proposal to create institutions of excellence for those not making it to IITs, or get admissions in foreign universities, still await fruition. The rot runs deeper in most higher education. Good faculty, good labs, good libraries, a good campus, good government scholarships, and good administration costs big money. As can be gauged, everything resembles meaningless in the absence of radical reforms in the higher education sector. The policyholders should concentrate on first setting the house in order before planning to expand overseas.
