CII, Icrier stress pvt entry in higher education

In an attempt to shift the higher education system in the country towards private investment, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in association with Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (Icrier), has made several recommendations to the government, ranging from facilitating private sector entry to liberalised foreign direct investment (FDI) in higher education.

According to the the white paper, Towards Excellence "" Higher Education in India, released by President APJ Abdul Kalam, 10.5 million students enrolled for higher education in 348 Universities and 17,625 colleges India has. But the Gross Enrolment Ratio (the number of students enrolling for higher education vis-a-vis the number of qualified or eligible students) is still at a deficit 11 per cent.

The paper expressed concern that if the issue was not adequately considered, a large number of youth entering the working age group would not be able to convert themselves into human capital.

Calling for a tectonic shift in the higher education system in India, "which has become extremely urgent", the CII-Icrier said that private sector entry must be facilitated now, as "public sector resources are inadequate and are not likely to meet the funding gap estimated at Rs 35,305 crore".

"At present, the higher education system in India is under the control of bodies like University Grants Commission and AICTE. The need of essentially certificates, other norms, like on curriculum, faculty salaries etc are inhibiting private investment in the sector," says Rajiv Kumar, director and chief executive, Icrier.

The resulting competition would play a major role in keeping fees low and maintaining standards, the white paper says.