Pitroda blueprint to revolutionise education system

The Knowledge Commission headed by Sam Pitroda is consulting planners and academia on a series of measures...

The Knowledge Commission KC headed by Sam Pitroda is consulting planners and academia on a series of measures that could radically improve the country8217;s university education system. Pitroda said the commission will 8220;firm up its proposals in a few weeks from now.8221;

Among the proposals that were discussed by the 10-member commission with the Prime Minister, HRD minister and the Planning Commission are:

8226; Restructuring the purpose and functioning of the UGC. 8220;We need flexibility in budgeting and an even fee structure,8221; says Pitroda. 8220;The government should not be controlling them all the time.8221;

8226; Setting up of national universities in which students can move across, of which 8220;four to eight8221; would be liberal arts universities. 8220;Liberal arts universities will create leaders for tomorrow,8221; says Pitroda.

8226; Shift system in universities to multiply output using the same infrastructure.

8226; Information infrastructure connecting all universities in the country.

8226; Special programmes for student and teacher exchange.

8226; Increasing participation of private sector in higher education and the possibility of Indian universities expanding overseas.

8226; Interlinking research, teaching and industrial application. 8220;In India teachers do not research and researchers do not teach,8221; points out Pitroda.

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Pitroda says the KC8217;s attempt is to come up with a model for higher education 8220;keeping in view India8217;s requirements 15-20 years from now.8221;

8220;Some of it may be painful, but we need to pay a price and act swiftly in order to strengthen the university system. For instance some will have to get up at 6 am and attend a morning shift,8221; Pitroda said.

Pratap Bhanu Mehta, another member of the Commission, said the 8220;thrust is to improve governance and make the system forward looking and flexible.8221; KC proposals can radically change the way universities are run. Pitroda says the 8220;V-C should be CEOs with authority, autonomy and transparency8221;. The incentive structure of teachers also could change 8212; from standardised slabs to performance oriented rewards.

And where will all the money come from? Pitroda says it8217;s time for universities to look around and get some money rather than wait for government largesse.

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The KC has already held meetings with the PM, the HRD minister and the planning commission. KC reports directly to the Prime Minister.