INDIA: Call for private investment in higher education

19 July 2009

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said last week that there was a need to expand the education sector, reports The Economic Times. Replying to a debate in the Lok Sabha on demand for grants for the Ministry, Sibal made a strong pitch for greater private investment and allowing in foreign universities with necessary regulatory mechanisms. He said expansion was necessary but the government's reservation policy had to be followed.

If there is one legacy of his predecessor Arjun Singh that Sibal has been virtually silent about it is reservation for socially and educationally disadvantaged groups. Sibal has been lukewarm on the idea of extending reservations in private educational institutes.

The Bill to extend reservations to private unaided institutes is pending though it has been vetted by a group of ministers in the previous administration. Given that reservations for some groups are now required to be given by law in centrally education institutes, it would seem the minister might be considering extending the same to the private unaided and foreign universities.
Full report on The Economic Times site

Receive UWN's free weekly e-newsletters

Sponsored Article

Getting to net zero, one community at a time

University of Victoria staff

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation is a University of Victoria-led collaborative initiative that brings together over 40 partners, including Indigenous knowledge keepers and community leaders, to create innovative place-based solutions for energy system transformation.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Africa pays a premium for global climate change sluggishness

Stellenbosch University staff

Africa needs to stop paying the price for the rest of the world’s recalcitrance to act fast enough in response to the irrefutable conclusions that climate change is real and that the impact of global warming could be devasting, says Professor Guy Midgley, interim director of the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Promoted by Stellenbosch University.

Sponsored Article

Innovations to ensure energy savings in a hot, arid climate

UAE University staff

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University have shown that the potential benefits of building energy savings and a cooler indoor environment, as well as improved cooling effect on air temperature at pedestrian level, strongly indicate that a cool roof with high solar reflectance and albedo is a promising strategy for buildings in regions with hot, arid climates.

Promoted by United Arab Emirates University.

Sponsored Article

A new global university ranking with an ethical mission

Aftab Dean

A new university ranking system aims to serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in higher education, ensuring that universities create an environment grounded in integrity and sustainability that inspires and supports students and staff in the development of novel solutions to global challenges.

Promoted by Globethics.net.

Sponsored Article

SDG progress report launches university into new territory

University of Pretoria staff

In the publication of its first progress report on its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, the University of Pretoria is navigating new territory at the same time as it is acknowledging its clear stewardship role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.

Promoted by the University of Pretoria.