Challenges in Higher Education Investment in India
The chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), T G Sitharam, emphasized the lack of sufficient governmental investment in higher education in India. He highlighted several key issues and initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges.
Government Investment Concerns
- Current spending on research and development is only 0.6% of GDP, far below the targeted 6%.
- Maharashtra's state universities, like Savitribai Phule Pune University, face significant faculty vacancies, with 62% of posts vacant and certain departments exceeding 75%.
Government Initiatives
- AICTE and the Union Education Ministry are actively working to fill faculty vacancies.
- Efforts include meetings with the Secretary of Higher Education and involvement of the Union Education Minister.
- A focus on improving faculty recruitment in IITs and other institutions is ongoing.
Connection Between Economy and Education
- Sitharam noted that a country's economic growth is directly linked to its higher education quality.
- He cited international examples: Israel and South Korea have a 95% Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education, whereas Japan and America have 65% and 75% respectively.
- India's GER stands at just 29%.
Need for More Universities
- Sitharam stressed the need for 1000 universities to accommodate the growing number of students.
- Building a government university takes about 25 years for complete development, while private universities may take 10 to 15 years.
- Despite constraints, private universities' flexibility and funding provide a shorter timeline for establishing educational infrastructure.
Sitharam's remarks were made at the first convocation ceremony of DES Pune University, highlighting the ongoing efforts and challenges in enhancing India's higher education landscape.
