Is private education costlier than higher education?

Finances are vital for education but this should not give education a business orientation.

What are the challenges universities will face in the years to come?

In the past 5 years a number of private universities have been sprouting in the country. Is this move a good omen for education in the nation?

There is a need for the authorities to ensure that the private universities inculcate a self-discipline of academic regulation. It is important that these institutions stay away from being commercialised and gaining profits in higher education.

Another concern with respect to private universities is the appointment of the kith and kin to the position of Chancellors, Vice-Chancellors and Pro-Chancellors. It is demeaning the academic scholarship which the top leadership of the university should exhibit.

Appointments to such positions must be largely based on establishing transparent mechanisms for identifying scholars who have contributed to the field of higher education and also to teaching and research.

At present, the UGC is the only body which overseas higher education but does not regulate it by perspective norms and standards.

The other independent bodies for regulation sectors of professional education are All Indian Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Medical Council of India (MCI), Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), Dental Council of India (DCI), Nursing Council of India (NCI), Bar Council of India (BCI), National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), to name some.

These statutory bodies essentially regulate and oversee the quality of education. Sometimes, the interventions of these regulatory bodies might restrict the functioning of the institutions from developing as innovative entities.