Revitalising Human Resource Development in India

I suggest following action points:

There is need for a universal regulator in HRD merging functions of NCERT, UGC, AICTE, NAAC, DOEACC, CBSE, ICMR, ICAR, NKC etc into one umbrella entity – HRD Commission. We should then have HRD policy framework to allow corporates as players in HRD.

Categorizing/ grading all colleges in all streams across the country in 3 categories (A, B, & C) based on a comprehensive evaluation matrix. Derecognize colleges for failing to maintain credible minimum standards and publishing them over site.

Setting-up National Curriculum Council within UGC to regularly frame Model Curriculum for B & C categories of Colleges across the country. The system should facilitate Research & Innovation in grade-A, Competence & capability in grade-B, and credible minimum Capability to meet industry expectations on deliverables (in relevant streams) from students for grade-C Colleges.

Institutionalizing setup of a National Assessment Test for Undergraduates & Graduates on the lines of Graduate Aptitude Test Examination (GATE) (or broaden the GATE horizon), National Eligibility Test (NET), in all valid academic streams defined in UGC/ AICTE. The students may have max. 3 attempts starting from their 2nd last yr. of academic session. Scoring a pre-specified percentile score (depending upon College category/ grade) should be a pre-requisite for obtaining degree.

Institutionalizing all top two colleges in Medical Sciences, Polytechnic, Management, Pure/Applied-Sciences, Law, Economics, Agriculture in all states as National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institutes of Polytechnic (NIP), National Institutes of Management (NIM), National Institutes of Science (NISc), National Institutes of Law (NIL), National Institutes of Economics & Statistics (NIE&S), National Institutes of Agriculture respectively, on the lines of NITs in Technology.

Institutionalizing the Academia-Industry Interface digital platform using the National Assessment Test as one of the filtering mechanism providing all students a level playing field in Placements.

Bringing fair representation of students from all major streams using reservation in College/ University level Elections. Stricter Regulation of the entire process with stringent enforcement of revamped “Model Code of Conduct”.

Rationalizing the fee structure using “cost-plus” approach for all Colleges with the mechanism of Universal access of Super-Cheap Education Loans facilities for all socially/ economically underprivileged students.

Standardizing duration in all Undergraduate Courses as 4 yr programme, except Medical sciences (with 5 yrs). Standardize all post-graduate Courses as 3 yr programmes. Standardizing a min of 6-12 months compulsory industrial training / research project for all courses across streams.

Standardizing the nomenclatures of all degree courses and their adherence across Universities. Eg: All Management Course as “MBA (Specialisation)” rather than “Master of (specialisation)”.

Rather than erecting new institutions of excellence, we must disseminate greater autonomy/ flexibility, resources & funds for existing Universities/ Institutions striving for International level of Quality. All Category-A Colleges should have 1000 intake in their flagship programmes.

Setup of One-Stop Portal for all Quality Digital Libraries/ Resources for students across streams. Satellite / Internet fed broadcasting of Lectures/ Superior Course Materials using EDUSAT.

Bringing all Schools / Colleges including those run by trusts/ Religious Institutions under Umbrella Organizations for better management & implementation of Central/ State Govt. Policies & Resources. Eg: KVS for Kendriya Vidyalayas.