Autonomy for universities doesn’t mean cutting funds
Universities need a free hand to fight the challenges they face at the administrative and knowledgecreation level
The debate on the autonomy of Indian universities began soon after Prakash Javadekar, the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, made an announcement granting autonomy to a group of 60 higher education institutions. This selection was done by the University Grants Commission (UGC) on the basis of the ratings given by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
It is important to recognise that Indian universities are facing a number of challenges. While the most obvious of these are with relation to the lack of adequate research and knowledge creation in universities, there are other serious challenges relating to recruitment of outstanding faculty as inspiring teachers, the pursuit of research, availability of resources, governance challenges, infrastructure crises and the growing discontent among the student community.
Governments — both in the states and the Centre — have attempted to address these challenges over the years through policy reforms and institutional initiatives led by regulatory bodies. However, it is only fair to say that the past reforms have not had a demonstrable impact on the state of Indian universities. The UGC’S decision to grant greater autonomy to a select group of higher education institutions reflects a larger policy initiative. The selection of institutes of eminence to build world class universities is another policy the government is pursuing.
At the heart of public policy reforms in higher education are the universities. Universities need autonomy to function effectively. Institutional dynamism, research excellence and the social impact of universities are best achieved when they are left to the universities alone. But autonomy cannot be confused with funding, which should to be made available for their growth. The government should categorically affirm that its readiness to grant graded autonomy doesn’t mean it will abdicate its financial responsibility towards universities.
It is an opportune moment for us in India to recall the vision of university autonomy from The Declaration on Academic Freedom and Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education passed in Lima, Peru, on September 10, 1988. Thirty years ago, it was affirmed that autonomy means: “The independence of institutions of higher education from the State and all other forces of society to make decisions regarding its internal government, finance, administration, and to establish its policies of education, research, extension work, and other related activities.” Our past is sometimes perfect and our future is uncertain. It’s only the present that we are able to access and use it to our benefit. The past, however beautiful and pleasant might have been, cannot be relived, nor regained. Pleasant memories go on tickling, filling us with the mirth and tragic and distressful past memories sadden us, making us cry. These memories disturb our mental tranquillity. They are like the Achilles’ heel of peace of a contented