India Higher Education Report 2021

This volume provides an in-depth analysis of the critical dimensions of higher education in India. It focuses on the growth and expansion of private higher education and public policy. The volume discusses issues related to the growth of for-profit and not-for-profit private higher education institutions and their implications at the policy level. It outlines the role of such institutions towards the internationalization and global ranking of the Indian higher education system. The book discusses the trends in internationalisation adopted by private higher education institutions and explains the resulting impact on aspects such as the diversity of programs, skill formation, employability, pedagogic practices, standards, curriculum development, and research and development, as well as the wider externalities in terms of promoting India’s soft power and international relations with other countries. While outlining the challenges of Open Distance Learning (ODL) and online education in India, the book also discusses the use of ICT, OER, and MOOCS among others to address the challenges of the ODL system. This volume will be of interest to teachers, students, and researchers of education, public policy, political science, international relations, law, sociology, economics, and political economy. It will also be useful for academicians, policymakers, and anyone interested in the internationalization of Indian Higher Education.

India Higher Education Report 2020 critically analyzes the role played by the state, industries, and higher education institutions in the employment and employability of educated youth in India. The book discusses a wide range of topics such as employability skill gaps of higher education graduates; curriculum and skills training systems; formal and informal modes of skill formation; crisis of jobless growth in India; migration, education and employment; dimensions of gender, caste and education; general, technical and professional education; vocationalization; qualifications framework and skills certifications; curriculum and pedagogy in higher education for skill development; industry–academia linkages; entrepreneurship education and executive education; and sustainable employment. The book focuses on theoretical insights, empirical evidences and recent data on key issues and challenges of higher education graduate employment in a knowledge economy driven by the unprecedented expansion of higher education and increasing digitization. It offers successful cases of institutional responses, examples of policy and practices as also perspectives of different stakeholders such as employers, employees, teachers and students to present trends in the changing landscape of higher education and future demands of the job market for the youth workforce across sectors, subject disciplines and gender. This volume will be an important resource for scholars, teachers and researchers of higher education, public policy, political economy, political science, labour studies, economics, education, sociology in general as well as for policymakers, professional organizations and associations, civil society organizations, and government bodies.

The unprecedented expansion of higher education in India and the proliferation of providers in turn have posed enormous challenges to equity, quality and financing of the sector. The India Higher Education Report 2015 traces the evolution of higher education and discusses the key role of committees and commissions whose reports and recommendations form the backdrop of contemporary developments. Authoritative and comprehensive, the volume examines a range of themes including equity, financing, employment, quality, and governance. It also engages with new and recent data as well as current issues and debates. The volume will be an important resource for academics, policy makers, civil society organisations, media and those concerned with higher education. It will also be useful to scholars and researchers of public policy, sociology and economics.

Non-state actors’ role extends beyond provision of schooling to interventions at various education levels and influence spheres. Alongside its review of progress towards SDG 4, including emerging evidence on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact, the 2021/2 Global Education Monitoring Report urges governments to see all institutions, students and teachers as part of a single system. Standards, information, incentives and accountability should help governments protect, respect and fulfil the right to education of all, without turning their eyes away from privilege or exploitation. Publicly funded education does not have to be publicly provided but disparity in education processes, student outcomes and teacher working conditions must be addressed. Efficiency and innovation, rather than being commercial secrets, should be diffused and practised by all. To that end, transparency and integrity in the public education policy process need to be maintained to block vested interests. The report’s rallying call – Who chooses? Who loses? – invites policymakers to question relationships with non-state actors in terms of fundamental choices: between equity and freedom of choice; between encouraging initiative and setting standards; between groups of varying means and needs; between immediate commitments under SDG 4 and those to be progressively realized (e.g. post-secondary education); and between education and other social sectors.

This book studies the various dimensions of gender inequality that persist in higher education and employment in India. It presents an in-depth analysis of the complex challenges women face in higher education participation and in translating higher education opportunities into labour market success and into leadership positions, including in academia. It argues that despite substantial progress towards gender equality in enrolment, these inequalities act as barriers to realising the transformative role that higher education can have for women’s well-being and for the nation’s development. The volume looks at the issues that keep women from accessing the areas of their choice, and the challenges they face in leadership positions in higher education. An important critique of higher education policy and planning, the volume will be of interest to teachers, students and researchers of education, public policy, political science and international relations, economics, feminism, women’s studies, gender studies, law and sociology. It will also be useful for academicians, policymakers and anyone interested in the study of gender in Indian Higher Education.

This book reviews and analyses higher education financing and explores the innovative ways by both public higher education and private higher education institutes in the context of globalization, with India, Russia and Tanzania as a case study. It examines the diverse policy discourses which greatly influence the higher education systems based on evidence-based research. This book is arranged into four major themes. Part 1 deals with the various possible modes of financing of higher education, such as the credit market and voucher system. Part 2 deals with strategies to mobilize the resources. Part 3 deals with innovative and sustainable approaches to financing private higher education institutions. Part 4 discusses the policies and limitations with external financing of higher education. It is an interesting collection of various themes in different chapters by serious researchers. It is an excellent read for students, educators and policymakers interested in alternative and innovative practices in higher education financing. It is a highly informative book for researchers providing insights on how social and political dynamics impact higher education financing.

This volume examines the role of higher education and employment in economic development in emerging economies like India. It looks at the contours of higher education policies and the labour market dynamics to explore ways to address joblessness and income disparity. The book discusses themes such as quality and access to higher education, the shift towards private investment in higher education, demographic dividend and joblessness among youth, social and income inequalities, labour migration and employment, and the participation of women in the workforce, among others. It provides insights into the challenges relating to employment generation in the industrial sector. It also offers solutions and policy measures to move towards sustainable growth, better employment opportunities in various sectors of industries, and human development. Rich in empirical data, this volume will be of interest to students and researchers of education, economics, development studies, sociology, gender studies, and social and economic policy.

This book explores the cost and impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Higher Education in India and provide expert forecasts on the future of higher education in this region. This edited book will provide a critical reflection on the sectoral impact, opportunities and challenges for higher education in post-pandemic India. This book will serve as an opportunity for faculty, researchers and practitioners of education to reconsider and reimagine the governance, financing and management of institutions of higher education in India.