Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

University may set up centre for study of social exclusion

G. Mahadevan

To focus on Dalits, tribal people and social minorities

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The departments of politics and futures studies of the University of Kerala have submitted proposals to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for setting up centres for study of social exclusion and inclusive policy.

The commission has invited applications for the purpose and offered full funding. The centres will focus on social exclusion of Dalits, tribal people and social minorities.

While there will be a one-time grant of Rs. 5 lakh for buying equipment, annual grants will be Rs. 37.5 lakh.

Though the university forwarded the UGC's letter inviting the applications to six teaching departments, only two responded.

The scheme document prepared by the commission says that institutions of higher learning are the primary space where exclusion can be studied, understood and first transcended.

"The UGC has, therefore, decided to support research on the issue of social exclusion, which has theoretical as well as policy importance," the document reads.

Some of the key objectives of the centres will be conceptualising discrimination, exclusion and inclusion based on caste or ethnicity and religion; developing an understanding of the nature and dynamics of discrimination and exclusion; "contextualising" and "problematising" discrimination, exclusion and inclusion; developing an understanding of discrimination at an empirical level; and formulating policies for protecting the rights of the affected groups; and eradicating exclusion and discrimination.

The centres, the document says, are expected to offer MA and M.Phil. programmes in social exclusion studies; build databases on social exclusion; carry out analyses based on socio-economic data generated by various Government agencies; organise periodic conferences and seminars on social exclusion; establish links with organisations fighting social exclusion; and offer short-term orientation programmes for political leaders, parliamentarians, government officials, trade unionists and media persons.

The UGC's assistance will be available for the first five years. However, if the university gets sanction for the centres now, funding will be on only till the end of the 10th Plan period. Continued funding in the 11th Plan period will be subject to a performance review.

The commission has stipulated that each university form an advisory committee, headed by the Vice-Chancellor, to oversee the implementation of the programmes and policies of these centres.

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