Address issue of access to higher education, says UGC

Updated on: Thursday, August 19, 2010

Acknowledging the rapid rise of private sector's participation in higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) today stressed the need for addressing the issue of its access to wider sections through an appropriate policy mechanism.

"Private participation in higher education is expanding very fast, particularly in technical and vocational education. The issue of private participation in higher education needs to be well-defined," UGC Chairman Sukhadeo Thorat said here.

"Fee structure of private educational institutes is beyond the reach of the poor. We will have to ensure those from the poor sections desiring to pursue higher education are not denied opportunities, and also that private institutes provide quality education," he said.

Speaking at the 78th convocation of the Osmania University here, Thorat said a target of 15 per cent enrolment rate in higher education -- equivalent to seven million more students by 2012 (end of 11th Five-Year Plan) -- has been set.

He said the Union Human Resource Development Ministry is working on a target of 30 per cent enrolment by 2020.

Increase in enrolment will have to come from groups like girls, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, OBC and the poor who have low access to higher education, he said.

"Quality in higher education needs attention. To monitor the quality of universities and colleges, the UGC has made accreditation mandatory for all institutes of higher education," Thorat said.

Andhra Pradesh Governor and University Chancellor E S L Narasimhan, who was also present, suggested that PhD degree holders could take up teaching as there were a lot of vacancies in colleges and it would also help in improving quality of education.

"To further improve the quality of education, PhD holders can take up teaching as profession for two or three years on the lines of compulsory rural postings for doctors," he said.

As many as 350 PhD degrees and 70 gold medals in different courses were presented at the function.

Address issue of access to higher education, says UGC

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