The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) was the main focus of discussion among the vice-chancellors of several universities during a session on ‘Improving Gross Enrollment Ratio in Higher Education: Implications for Higher Education Institutes’, in the World Education Summit 2011.
While speaking at the session Professor Dinesh Singh, Vice –Chancellor, Delhi University, felt that only adding more and more students in different universities is not an answer for development of education in our country. Improvement of education system is the need of the hour. Students run after Oxford. If they stop that, GER will automatically increase.
“Sachin Tendulkar is a kind of role model. He has no degree, yet he is successful in his own field and remains sober by nature. No one say anything against him. Ramanujam, the mathematician never had any degree. We need to re-look on this. There is lot of darkness within educational institutions”, he said
Further he pointed out that people should stop disregarding ODL mode and start acknowledging it as another way to develop skills and education. Mark Twain had once said he never let his schooling interfere in his education. Information and communications technology (ICT ) is another form of broadening education to reach out large number of masses and help in distance learning. Teachers can only show the path. It’s up to students to grab opportunities.
Prof. K. Kannan, Vice–Chancellor, Nagaland University pointed out that it is futile to talk about GER when our country do not have much universities. “In North-East we have not just begin on education. Each area has its own problems. The exam results are declared very late due to which student’s have lost interest in coming to colleges. Earlier it used to take four months now we are reducing it”.
He also remarked that universities also have so many seats available but students from this part of the country want to study in other Delhi or other universities. North-East has so much land where education institutions can be built, suggested Kannan.
Stressing on the point on the need to improve the education system, Dr. C. Raj Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, OP Jindal Globalal University said that its quality is attached to the kind of great facilities that are provided in India.
Raj Kumar also opined that large number of people wants to come into higher education but they don’t want to come into academia. Academicians and the Government need to see how to increase their interest in this field.
“You cannot be a good teacher if you are not a good researcher. Universities must have substantial focus on research and scholarships”, he said.
During his speech the Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Ajay Kumar Ray stated universities cannot rely on government funs. They need help from Private sector. Collaboration with them is necessary as more and more people coming for higher education in India.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
ODL is the way forward, feel experts
The Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is the best way to spread education far and wide as this the only way to reach wider masses even in remote areas, feel education experts during World education summit 2011.
Ifeanyi Paul A, who is Senior Registrar in National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), feels that governments all across the globe prove they don’t have proper education infrastructure. In Nigeria we have 117 universities but they have limited number of seats It is in this kind of scenario that Open and Distance Learning mode should be encouraged. NOUN accommodate more students than universities with regular programmes. Use of online as another mode of education can help in this regard. Once the online form of education is encouraged it will reach far and wide. Location and time has no barrier
“There is no better time than this summit to happen. This conference is timely. However it will be very helpful for spread of education far and wide and even to the needy ones if the governments make use of the outlines gathered from this summit. In most of the countries governments are unable to encourage higher education. There is a need for collaborations. Only ODL can help it to move further”, he added.
Expressing her views on ODL, Pureza Valdeheuza Veloso, President, Cibu International Distance Education College (CIDEC), Phillipines says that governments need to improve the policies on education if they want serve students need. The only problem with ODL is it needs more help from from governments. In ODL there are lakhs of people who can help in development of education. So they need help from private sectors, which also need to reduce taxes and profit making attitudes.
Praising her Government's efforts she states, “In Phillipines our Government is looking to give education to each and everybody. We have 7,200 dialects. English is our common language today. Even though it is a challenges to spread education to people with different dialects Government is focused to fulfill its aim”.
Collince Pence, Coordinator, Tele Education, BOCODOL, Botswana advocates that even though the growth of Distance Learning dynamic, it is also very challenging. In most of the countries people consider it to be a second hand education. The mindset of the people needs to be changed. To spread education govts are required to be sensitised. Universities having only regular courses can’t exceed the number of students. ODL is not only the answer but even better.
Praising IGNOU’s efforts he said, “IGNOU is certainly doing an incredible job in widening education to far and wide, even to remote areas. The study material that they have is remarkable. Private sector need to be part of education as they are the ones who woul hire passouts every year”.
Ifeanyi Paul A, who is Senior Registrar in National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), feels that governments all across the globe prove they don’t have proper education infrastructure. In Nigeria we have 117 universities but they have limited number of seats It is in this kind of scenario that Open and Distance Learning mode should be encouraged. NOUN accommodate more students than universities with regular programmes. Use of online as another mode of education can help in this regard. Once the online form of education is encouraged it will reach far and wide. Location and time has no barrier
“There is no better time than this summit to happen. This conference is timely. However it will be very helpful for spread of education far and wide and even to the needy ones if the governments make use of the outlines gathered from this summit. In most of the countries governments are unable to encourage higher education. There is a need for collaborations. Only ODL can help it to move further”, he added.
Expressing her views on ODL, Pureza Valdeheuza Veloso, President, Cibu International Distance Education College (CIDEC), Phillipines says that governments need to improve the policies on education if they want serve students need. The only problem with ODL is it needs more help from from governments. In ODL there are lakhs of people who can help in development of education. So they need help from private sectors, which also need to reduce taxes and profit making attitudes.
Praising her Government's efforts she states, “In Phillipines our Government is looking to give education to each and everybody. We have 7,200 dialects. English is our common language today. Even though it is a challenges to spread education to people with different dialects Government is focused to fulfill its aim”.
Collince Pence, Coordinator, Tele Education, BOCODOL, Botswana advocates that even though the growth of Distance Learning dynamic, it is also very challenging. In most of the countries people consider it to be a second hand education. The mindset of the people needs to be changed. To spread education govts are required to be sensitised. Universities having only regular courses can’t exceed the number of students. ODL is not only the answer but even better.
Praising IGNOU’s efforts he said, “IGNOU is certainly doing an incredible job in widening education to far and wide, even to remote areas. The study material that they have is remarkable. Private sector need to be part of education as they are the ones who woul hire passouts every year”.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Joshi for more power to PRIs
The Indira Gandhi National Open University organised 16th Prof. G. Ram Reddy memorial lecture on the death anniversary of its founder vice-chancellor at its Convention Centre. Prof. (Dr.) C. P. Joshi, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways was the chief guest on the occasion, who delivered a lecture on ‘Rural Empowerment and Panchayati Raj Institutions’.
Before delivering his lecture he also inaugurated the new administration building. The Union Minister also activated the Remote Access to e-resources (RATE) after the end of the lecture. It authorise users both from on-campus and off-campus to get access to e-resources, e-journals, e-books from home, office, or from anywhere anytime.
Speaking about Dr Reddy the Minister said that Dr Reddy was a man of vision and it was it was through his efforts that students started getting quality education seating at distance places after the launch of this University. He also hoped that Vice-Chancellor Prof. V. N. Rajshekharan Pillai and his team will carry his dream forward.
Prof. C.P. Joshi suggested that Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) are playing a crucial role in the execution of educational projects and programmes in rural areas. They can also play a major role in development of distance education programmes in rural India. It is therefore important citizes start the process of communication with PRIs.
The Minister quoted what Prof. Ram Reddy had said in 1993, “Distance education is like the Panchayati Raj in governance. It enables decentralization and hence localisation and empowerment of common man. What is urgently needed is a decision for creating an empowerment system of education that is freed from single-minded persuit of wealth and is dedicated to nurturing the hidden potential within every individual member of society, a system designed to usher in a new and ever advancing civilisation”.
While praising the role of Panchayat , Mahatma Gandhi had said that a true democracy cannot function twenty people seating in the Centre. It should be run from base level and by the people of villages”, the minister added.
He further stated that the constitution recognised and revived Panchayati Raj Institutions through 73rd Constitutional Amendment act which encouraged periodic elections for them. Earlier it was under the disposition of the Government to hold elections or not. Former prime minister Late Rajiv Gandhi had called it “ revolution based on maximum democracy and maximum devolution. It is a revolution to put power in the hands of people”.
Prof. C.P. Joshi further felt that the weaker sections of the society mainly living in villages need proper education, water and electricity. The Government need to work on that and think on alternative mode of governance. The Government has introduced Right to employment, Right to Information Act (RTI). It shortly going to introduce right to food. The Government will also introduce Right to Health Bill.
In some of the state Panchayati Raj system is quite good. One of the example is that of Kerala. In Maharashtra and Gujarat Zila Parishad is powerful. The Minister stressed that economic system need proper panchayat. In cities one can find Ministries and other government offices but in villages there are only Gram Sevaks. The system needs to look and address their issues. The parliamentary system is very important for the progress of panchayat.
Delivering his welcome speech VC Prof. Rajasekharan Pillai said that over the years this country has grown worldwide. We collaborated with industries and defence forces and started degree programme with them.
With the remarkable achievements of Gyan Vani, Gyan Darshan and other internet connectivity sources of the university, it is considered to be the technological university in the country connecting millions of people. With thousands of telecenters soon coming up with the help of the university, it is going to be the national e-governance provider.” He added.
IGNOU also gave certificates to the contributers of ERP system. Describing about the system Prof Prof. Latha Pillai, Pro VC, IGNOU said, “We are the first central university to launch its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) which now has reduced the manual work of the university officials for the back office operations (like recruitment, leaves, sundry bills etc). Things which are meant to be done on a routine basis are now done with the help of ERP powered by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).”
Prof. G. Ram Reddy’s wife was also present during the Memorial lecture.
Before delivering his lecture he also inaugurated the new administration building. The Union Minister also activated the Remote Access to e-resources (RATE) after the end of the lecture. It authorise users both from on-campus and off-campus to get access to e-resources, e-journals, e-books from home, office, or from anywhere anytime.
Speaking about Dr Reddy the Minister said that Dr Reddy was a man of vision and it was it was through his efforts that students started getting quality education seating at distance places after the launch of this University. He also hoped that Vice-Chancellor Prof. V. N. Rajshekharan Pillai and his team will carry his dream forward.
Prof. C.P. Joshi suggested that Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) are playing a crucial role in the execution of educational projects and programmes in rural areas. They can also play a major role in development of distance education programmes in rural India. It is therefore important citizes start the process of communication with PRIs.
The Minister quoted what Prof. Ram Reddy had said in 1993, “Distance education is like the Panchayati Raj in governance. It enables decentralization and hence localisation and empowerment of common man. What is urgently needed is a decision for creating an empowerment system of education that is freed from single-minded persuit of wealth and is dedicated to nurturing the hidden potential within every individual member of society, a system designed to usher in a new and ever advancing civilisation”.
While praising the role of Panchayat , Mahatma Gandhi had said that a true democracy cannot function twenty people seating in the Centre. It should be run from base level and by the people of villages”, the minister added.
He further stated that the constitution recognised and revived Panchayati Raj Institutions through 73rd Constitutional Amendment act which encouraged periodic elections for them. Earlier it was under the disposition of the Government to hold elections or not. Former prime minister Late Rajiv Gandhi had called it “ revolution based on maximum democracy and maximum devolution. It is a revolution to put power in the hands of people”.
Prof. C.P. Joshi further felt that the weaker sections of the society mainly living in villages need proper education, water and electricity. The Government need to work on that and think on alternative mode of governance. The Government has introduced Right to employment, Right to Information Act (RTI). It shortly going to introduce right to food. The Government will also introduce Right to Health Bill.
In some of the state Panchayati Raj system is quite good. One of the example is that of Kerala. In Maharashtra and Gujarat Zila Parishad is powerful. The Minister stressed that economic system need proper panchayat. In cities one can find Ministries and other government offices but in villages there are only Gram Sevaks. The system needs to look and address their issues. The parliamentary system is very important for the progress of panchayat.
Delivering his welcome speech VC Prof. Rajasekharan Pillai said that over the years this country has grown worldwide. We collaborated with industries and defence forces and started degree programme with them.
With the remarkable achievements of Gyan Vani, Gyan Darshan and other internet connectivity sources of the university, it is considered to be the technological university in the country connecting millions of people. With thousands of telecenters soon coming up with the help of the university, it is going to be the national e-governance provider.” He added.
IGNOU also gave certificates to the contributers of ERP system. Describing about the system Prof Prof. Latha Pillai, Pro VC, IGNOU said, “We are the first central university to launch its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) which now has reduced the manual work of the university officials for the back office operations (like recruitment, leaves, sundry bills etc). Things which are meant to be done on a routine basis are now done with the help of ERP powered by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).”
Prof. G. Ram Reddy’s wife was also present during the Memorial lecture.
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