The University Grants Commission is introducing ‘Quality Mandate’ for colleges and universities and wants them to achieve its objectives by 2022. These include NAAC accreditation, with a minimum score of 2.5, for all institutions.
It wants higher education institutions to improve graduate outcomes so that at least 50 per cent of students get employment, become self-employed or take up higher education.
They must also promote students’ links with society or industry so that at least two-thirds of them engage in socially productive activities during their time in the institutions.
Training students in essential professional and soft skills are also aspects of Quality Mandate. These include the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, critical thinking, teamwork and skills in communication, leadership and time management as well as human values and professional ethics. Avenues should be created for students to demonstrate these talents.
An important point is ensuring that teachers’ vacancies do not exceed 10 per cent of sanctioned strength at any time and orienting all teachers of the latest trends in their subjects and in teaching methods so that their knowledge is effectively imparted to students.
The UGC is drawing up detailed guidelines on implementing the Quality Mandate. The will be sent to colleges and universities, said a communication from UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain.
Commenting on the plan, C Pichandy, former general secretary of the Association of University Teachers, said that if the objective of keeping teacher vacancies below 10 per cent is achieved, 50 per cent of problems in higher education would be solved.
The main aim for 2022 should be raising children from all sections of society to a state where they can pursue higher education, he added. Employability is something the government should attend to. It is also the various sectors of the economy, and for the government to create jobs; effective policies should be followed for it.
