Seeks A Four-Fold Hike Of 1,84,740 Cr During 12th 5-Yr Plan to open the 20 exclusive
universities and 800 colleges for women’s.
Espousing the cause of women’s education, the 12th Plan period
document of the University Grants Commission (UGC) has proposed 20 exclusive universities
for them and 800 constituent colleges under the central varsities to ensure equity
in access to quality education. The UGC has also sought a four-time hike
in allocation during the Five-Year Plan period from
46,632 crore to
1,84,740 crore to achieve its proposed initiatives. The initiatives also include
upgrading of autonomous colleges with potential of excellence, enhancing intake
capacity of institutes of higher education and development of college cluster universities.
The plan document broadly emphasis on achieving the triple objectives of access
and expansion, equity and inclusion, and quality and excellence, with an emphasis
on consolidation and optimal use of infrastructure already created during the 11th
Plan period. Giving thrust to women’s education, the plan document has proposed
20 universities facilitating their entry into higher education even from traditional
background and rural and sub-urban areas. The Centre has proposed to fund their
establishment while the state governments may provide the land and help to establish
such universities, the document states while holding the idea was included because
the social dynamics of our system. Stating that certain sectors of our population
are still not open to send girls to co-educational institutions, the UGC document
contends that exclusive institutes of higher education in some pockets for women
may act as a fillip to the participation of girls in higher education.
In addition to the already proposed and partially implemented 374 model college’s
scheme, a new scheme of constituent colleges has been proposed for the 40 central
universities in the country. Under the scheme, 20 colleges each will be set up in
the respective states in the district head quarters, numbering to 800 new colleges
in all. This will balance the regional distribution of colleges based on population
density of the youth in the age group of 18-23 years. The colleges should be of
international configuration in infrastructure, hostels, play ground, library and
technology-savvy class rooms, and to be 100% funded by the Centre as is presently
followed in the case of the Delhi University.
Courtesy: Times of India
