Winds of Reform in Indian Education (Hardbound - 2012)

There has been a widespread expansion of higher education in India. There are government institutions, private players, foreign universities—which are likely to enter soon, the public-private partnership models and distance education. Each model has its own strengths and weaknesses. With the rising demand and growth, all models need to be used effectively and efficiently for dissemination of education.

The right to education is a landmark legislation which has also brought some challenges, like bringing children to school, providing infrastructure and resources to educate them, making arrangements for their higher education, etc. Besides, the learning outcomes need to be guaranteed. The National Knowledge Commission has recommended forming 1,500 more universities to meet the demand for higher education.

The Central and State governments need to act with speed. Proper infrastructure is required to remove economic, social, cultural and linguistic barriers and provide equitable education. Coordinated efforts from all sections of the society are required to accomplish this task.

The book is a collection of articles from intellectuals and academicians, which highlight various issues related to education, wherein necessary reforms are suggested for improving the quality of education and governance in educational institutions.

The major topics included in the book are related to right to education and the road ahead, education reforms proposed and the challenges, role of foreign universities, globalization and internationalization of higher education, professional development of teachers, innovative strategies for quality enhancement, education in social context and the changing paradigms in pertinent areas.

The book will be useful for educationists, academicians and those concerned with the furtherance of higher 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. Vijaya has authored around 40 articles, published in various national/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.