The Hindu Business Line : Call to enhance capacity of teachers in higher education

THE Vice-Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Prof V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, has stressed the need for capacity building of teachers in the higher education sector.

Addressing presspersons here, Prof Pillai said that though technology would help in providing quality education, technology alone could not be the teaching tool. However, he agreed that information and communication technology could be used in the capacity building of teachers. Both open and distance education systems could be benefited from this.

Highlighting the importance of consortium approach in higher education sector, he said that UGC has tied up with FICCI for the "export" of higher education. The consortium approach with participation from industries and Government departments could be adopted for school education also.

In this approach, the commission only acts as a facilitator between the industry and the universities.

Various agencies such as Department of Science and Technology and ISRO, which are funding higher education sector, should also take initiatives to depute some of their scientists and scholars to the higher education institution for teaching. This could help in strengthening the consortium approach, he said.

When told about lack of interest among some universities to market their infrastructure, in addition to using them for teaching and research activities, Prof Pillai said that the change in management structure and governance pattern could be a solution for this issue. The system should adopt new ideas if they are helpful.

Earlier inaugurating a consultancy meeting on `Quality consortium - Pioneer institutions', organised by the Commissionerate of Collegiate Education and the College for Leadership and Human Resource Development, here, he said there are nearly 300 universities and 15,000 colleges in India. Apart from some colleges and universities, infrastructure facilities in other institutions are not up to the mark.

Expressing concern over lack of permanent teachers in some colleges, he said that there will be a large number of departments without full-time teachers if the policy of not appointing permanent teacher continues. Those appointed on contract basis should be paid on par with permanent teachers. Even the career advancement scheme for teachers needs a review.

Prof Pillai regretted at the fact that extension and research activities are getting meagre budgetary support in the universities. In most cases, nearly 90 per cent of the amount is earmarked for paying the staff salary, he added.