APQN Conference-2010 Bangkok, 2-5 March, 2010 Emerging Issues in Indian

1. APQN Conference-2010 Bangkok, 2-5March, 2010 Emerging Issues in Indian Accreditation Scenario Dr. Jagannath Patil Deputy Adviser, NAAC APQN Board Member JP- NAAC

2. Emerging issues in Indian Accreditation scenario- • Outline- • Ranking of Higher Education Institutions. • Entry of foreign providers in Indian HE • Opening up of accreditation sector

3. The ranking debate • Ranking is the buzzword in higher education ‘market’. • International trends – • Rankings widely discussed, both in positive and critical way, in academic community across the globe. • Two most talked about are: • Shanghai Ranking (Shanghai Jiao Tong University) • THES(Times Higher Education Supplement) • There are many other so called international/ regional • Checkered history of league tables and national rankings

4. Shanghai Ranking (Shanghai Jiao Tong University) The Shanghai rankings are criticized for bias towards natural sciences.

5. THES (Times Higher Education Supplement) Some of the major criticism on THES rankings surrounds on appropriateness of the criteria and subjectivity of reputational survey .

6. Ranking craze in Indian HE system- • Major Players- • India Today- college ranking • Out loook- Professional colleges rankings • Education Times / GFK Mode- New entrant with University ranking as well. • Many other business magazines and some unheard agencies are also in fray. • Major criticism – perception based , reputational surveys, no on site peer review and verification.

11. Living with Ranking… You hate it or love it. But you can’t ignore it !

12. NAAC’s initiative on Ranking Rationale- • India’s record in world ranking draw criticism. • National media based rankings creating confusion among stakeholders. • NAAC’s Project to study the existing models and develop an alternative model. Challenges- • Lessons from grading debates • Can we compete with media • Shifting of focus- from quality improvement to quality measurement • Is it panacea to grading issues or move from Devil to deep sea.?

13. Opening up of accreditation sector- • One of the bold initiative on agenda of the central government- • National Authority for Regulation in Accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions- NARAHEI • Super body to license and regulate accrediting agencies. • Societies formed under Registration act 1860 or company under section 25 of Companies Act ,1956, would be eligible. Recommendation of National Knowledge Commission- • “ NKC perceives a clear need to establish an Independent Regulatory Authority for Higher Education (IRAHE).….It would be the authority for licensing accreditation agencies.” …’Establish independent and multiple accreditation agencies for all professional institutions ‘ Report of ‘The Committee to Advise on Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher Education’- • Proposed - The National Commission for Higher Education and Research (NCHER) • “Accreditation Management: Creating norms for accreditation and certifyingmultiple accreditation agencies which would be independent of thegovernment .Institutions and universities may like to get accreditationfrom one or more than one agencies depending on their reputation. Theywould be also providing annual feedback to universities, and organizing workshops etc.” Many private agencies are “waiting in wing”

14. India getting ready for foreign providers in HE. • Absence of regulatory framework till now • Draft bill paving way for foreign providers is ready. [ Key features would include mandatory registration in India, accreditation in home country , equivalence of curriculum in on shore and off shore offerings. ] • Opposition by political parties during last tenure of government • Position paper by Association of Indian Universities- AIU- opposing entry of foreign providers. • Ironically a good number of Indian universities have entered into collaborative arrangements like twining programme etc. • Winds of change as the new regime is set to welcome foreign players for bringing in quality reforms • New Brain gain policyand so called World Class universities

15. Opening up of accreditation sector- Issues-Lessons from the current experience of private players in higher education.Western experience of Rat race of accreditation [ USA, Germany..]Are we ready to join the race?HE policy framework in fluid state. Role clarity of NAAC and other government / autonomous QA agencies. Part of regulatory system like CHEA or one of the players along with private agencies?Lessons from ‘Ranking galore ‘ in sphere of professional education. The competition is good . But who would be the beneficiaries? Will the students and society benefit?

16. Opening up of accreditation sector- Some Possibilities- • Opportunity for established players like NAAC to prove the worth. • Strengthening and revitalizing the existing QA mechanism. • Learning from experience in other developing countries- • [ China , Chile , Malaysia] • Regional accrediting agencies similar to USA. • Institutional accreditation can remain with existing bodies like NAAC while private players can be allowed in specialized programme accreditation. • Need for nationwide debate and stakeholder consultations

17. Change is the only constant thing………....

18. Thank you ! Dr Jagannath Patil Deputy Adviser, NAAC, APQN Board Member jp.naacindia@gmail.com