Indian Higher Education
Envisioning the Future
- Pawan Agarwal - CEO, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
The availability of quality higher education in India, though increasing, is unable to meet the demands of a growing youth population, improvements in school education and a growing middle class. At the same time, it has been widely recognised that the country has a unique opportunity to convert its demographic surplus into its economic strength by providing its young people the right kind of skills. Following this understanding, and due to the persisting problems in the sector, higher education now occupies a central position in the country’s strategy for global competitiveness and inclusive growth, and several steps have been taken for its improvement. Apart from an analysis of the prevailing situation, the author also suggests a framework for the creation of a competitive environment in higher education that would ensure better utilisation of public funds and improvement of both public and private institutions.
This book will be a valuable resource for centres of education and higher education in universities and research organisations, as well as think-tanks. It would also be a useful tool for consultants and private organisations working in the higher education sector.
The book under review provides a very detailed and comprehensive account of the Indian higher education system, its predicaments and prospects. It makes a sincere attempt to grapple with the entire gamut of issues, problems and challenges that Indian higher education is confronted with and also outlines a roadmap for a better future… Data gathered and collated from various studies, national and international, have been used liberally. Relevant concepts and important pieces of information have been assigned due importance which will be of immense help to readers across professions and backgrounds.
It is essentially a good bureaucratic compilation, rich in factual material and international comparisons and with some analysis…the book serves as a carefully prepared and annotated agenda note that draws attention to decisions to be taken and actions to be initiated.
This book deals with the contested terrain of higher education in India…the book is an impressive collection of relevant, valuable and diverse data, assiduously gathered from many sources, and this makes it a "useful base document for opening fresh debate" on higher education policy.
The book has several suggestions for shaping the future of Indian higher education. He has so defined the options and solutions that underline their practicality.
This book attempts to analyze the socio-economic and political scenario impacting on higher education…Pawan Agarwal has done a good job and deserves gratitude of the reader for his endeavour….The book will be of interest to educational administrators, teachers, policy makers and legislators interested in improving higher education.
Agarwal`s book is an indictment of the existing Indian higher education system and a reiteration of the urgent need to reform it. Indian Higher Education is rooted in data, each bit carefully selected to illuminate the higher education scene, rather then justify any one particular viewpoint…. [The book] is the definitive work on the subject.
Through this book, Agarwal has aimed to take up a comprehensive review of the Indian Higher Education system, assess its needs, identify the gaps and provide perspectives for the future. The book delivers the objective it sets out to achieve…. Agarwal`s prose is reader friendly, and the book is certainly a valuable and handy guide for both national and international readers who desires to understand the character of higher education in India.
By bringing out a comprehensive book Indian Higher Education, the author has filled a gap in literature on higher education....everyone who regards higher education as fundamental to nation building ought to read it.
