CREDIT-BASED
SYSTEM BEING MOOTED FOR UNIVERSITIES
A credit-based system
of grading is being mooted for the universities in the country.
Besides, revision of curriculum and improving the general quality
of higher education is also on the agenda of the Government. This
fundamental academic restructuring is to ensure inter-university
mobility not only within the country but also with foreign universities.
These conclusions were arrived at during the Conference of State
Higher Education Secretaries held here last week.
During the Conference,
it was also pointed out that several State Governments are not
in a position to fill up the vacant posts of teachers due to difficult
financial condition. Since this was adversely affecting the quality
of teaching, it was felt innovative measures needed to be adopted
by the universities/colleges to raise the necessary resources
for this purpose. For this, a reasonable hike in fee structure,
wherever possible could be undertaken. It had also become important
to rationalize teachers’ work load as per University Grants Commission
(UGC) norms to ensure optimum utilization of existing posts. A
consensus was also arrived at undertaking consultancy and sponsored
research from the Government and the industry as well as starting
adequate number of self-financing courses in sectors where such
demand exists.
One important conclusion
arrived at was that each state of the country must set up at least
one open university during the 10th Plan period. This
is essential to fully harness the potential of information and
communication technology and expand the reach of distance education.
Very importantly, to cope up with the potential flow of students
towards the higher education system as a result of the Sarva Shiksha
Abhiyan, it would be necessary to gear up the vocational educational
system and the open distance learning system in the country. It
was also decided that all institutions of higher education must
get NAAC accreditation within two years.
