Education is the liberating force and agent of social change. Knowledge is now driving the economy. The purpose of education is to develop human resources for the knowledge society. The problems encountered by higher education are related to access, equity and quality. About five times the number of present educational institutions are required to meet the growing demand.
Providing quality education is a challenge. We had modern educational institutes in the past but where did we falter? Quality requires leadership, well-designed processes, and continuous improvement. It is not just about quantifying but includes planning, visualizing and creativity. Focus should be more on learning rather than on mere dissemination of knowledge. To confront the ever-changing social, cultural and technological challenges, speed and commitment are needed. A regulatory body to evaluate research and compulsory accreditation is required to ensure quality. Also professionals may be required to run the institutions in order to improve efficiency and access and reduce costs for modernization. While preserving tradition and culture, bringing cutting-edge reforms to suit present times is the need of the hour.
The issues related to the trends of rising consumerism and marketing orientation of higher education will be a challenge in future. Ragging in essence is a human rights’ abuse and the menace also needs to be dealt with seriously.
The book is a collection of articles from intellectuals and academicians on various aspects of education that address some of the important issues that are faced by the institutes of higher learning and suggest reforms necessary to overcome the problems. The major issues highlighted are quality consciousness, financing educational institutions, importance of research, pedagogy, linkages to Industry and other institutions, good governance, use of modern tools, curriculum, inclusive education and the need for intercultural competence. It will prove useful to educationists and all those concerned with improving the quality of education in India.
Vijaya Deshmukh was educated at Amravati and Marathwada University. She is an Electrical Engineer and holds Bachelors in English Literature, Law and Masters in Business Administration, specializing in HR and Finance. She is Ph.D. in Management Science. She is an Accredited Management Teacher from AIMA, New Delhi and research guide. She specializes in HR, Organisation Development, Leadership, Operations Research and Management Science and Methodologies.
She has about 22 years experience in the areas of academic governance, teaching, research and industry. She has worked in educational institutes of repute like IIT. She has carried out extensive research in the area of management and governance in educational institutes of higher learning and has a wide range of publications in these areas.
Dr. Deshmukh has authored around 40 articles, published in various national and international journals. She has edited three books on higher education. She has also written on subjects related to e-governance, women issues, social problems, political issues and other issues of concern.
She has contributed as member on various national and international panels like the UGC, Validation and Quality Assurance Panel, University for Creative Arts, UK, NAAC, Screening Committee for Selection of National Award for Best Applied Research/Innovation/Product Development, Development of Content & Capacity Building Programmes on Northeast Edusat Network, etc. She is currently working as Registrar with the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
