Nothing works like autonomy?
|
The UGC's `movement for freedom' in higher education, is welcomed by experts and academicians, but it has to enhance its credibility and be open to outside scrutiny. K. Ramachandran reports.
|
Autonomy is in the air. But are all the colleges and students ready for it? - Photo: K. Ananthan
AUTONOMY, A word that has been talked about, debated and sometimes debunked for the past 50 years is back on the agenda of the Union Government. Autonomy in education only means freedom for a college or institute to decide on who is to teach, who the students will be and what content is to be included.
On November 30 and December 1, the University of Madras was the venue for a high-level discussion on issues about autonomy.
We start with a brief background:
The Kanti Biswas committee on autonomy under the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), an apex policy making body under the Union Human Resources Development Ministry, took up the issue of autonomy.
It sent out a questionnaire asking institutions on how to go about furthering the principle of autonomy. After two rounds of discussion in Delhi, it decided to move throughout India —
talk to more representatives of the stakeholders — teachers, administrators, bureaucrats, university and college heads... .
One such attempt was the Chennai meet in which more than 15 university heads, several college and institutional level leaders participated. The University Grants Commission, which is initiating `movement autonomy' in institutions of higher learning, backed the entire agenda.
The UGC Secretary, Ved Prakash, even at the inaugural, had a big background note to offer and some succinct points to say. And he told the experts and academicians, "You take care of the work, we will take care of your food and stay. For these two days, let someone else take care of home... "
Four groups
The delegates divided themselves into four groups — one each to talk about academic autonomy; administrative autonomy; financial autonomy and accountability under autonomy.
Leading experts provided some fascinating insights into the issue:
P.V. Indiresan: From the IIT experience, I can say it is one of the most autonomous among institutions. I do not see why the same autonomy should not be given to the faculty in other colleges, given the fact that IIT has been a successful experiment not only within India, but known worldwide. Of course, governments as fund providers will want to call the shots. But freedom of operation is necessary to maximise the achievements.
But then, one should deserve autonomy. If about 360 British officers were able to successfully run India, it was because they had a very good system of inspection in place. So institutions should be prepared to be inspected.
A. Gnanam: Right now, higher education enjoys little freedom. Whether it is administration, studies, initiating new programmes or recruitment, everything comes from somewhere else. It is time we demand the freedom required.
But unlike previous years or decades, things have changed. When we demand freedom, we are trying to get it from people who are more anxious to give the autonomy needed today.
M. Anandakrishnan: We need to get out of the affiliating system which does not exist outside south Asia. While Tamil Nadu is doing well, the desire for gaining autonomy is seen in more colleges. Recently too, eight or nine colleges have got autonomy.
Today, there is a slackening in the movement. Reasons: Some say governments are against the concept, universities are against it, teachers and some even say students are against autonomy.
However, today there is a greater understanding of the concept of autonomy and even the faculty in Tamil Nadu are responsive.
One difference today is the new class called private colleges which have very little accountability. However, when there is a conceptual clarity of what comprises academic, administrative or financial autonomy, we need to see the practical implications of the different sectors.
Today, the credibility of Indian higher education around the world would depend on academic freedom which is enjoyed with responsibility. And Indian institutions should be prepared to open up for outside scrutiny of the system.
After two days, the proceedings will move to Guwahati.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Education Plus
Karnataka
Chennai
Coimbatore
Hyderabad
Madurai
Tiruchirapalli
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
