Abstract:

Higher Education System in India, ever since independence has grown in a remarkable way to become one of the largest systems of its kind in the world. In 1956, when the UGC Act came into being for the coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of university education in India, there were 03 Central Universities, 30 State Universities and around 470 recognized colleges only. In 1956, the Uttar Pradesh (the most populous state of India) boasted of having 02 Central Universities(BHU & AMU), 03 State Universities (Allahabad, Lucknow & Agra) and 48 colleges. Later on in 2005, the Allahabad University was transformed into a Central University and yet another Central University in the name of B.R.Ambedkar was established in Lucknow in 1996. At present (June 2012), there are 42 Central Universities, 293 State Universities, 130 Deemed Universities, 112 Private Universities, 374 Autonomous Colleges and around 33000 colleges(out of which around 8900 are recognized by the UGC) in India. In contrast to this, the Uttar Pradesh now has 04 Central Universities, 23 State Universities, 10 Deemed Universities, 16 Private Universities, 06 Autonomous Colleges, and around 3553 colleges (out of which 137 Government Colleges,381 Aided Colleges and 3035 Self Finance Colleges). This development in quantitative terms in rise of numbers of State HE institutions in Uttar Pradesh vis-a- vis other prominent states like Andhra Pradesh Tamilnadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Bihar is modest; but in qualitative terms the progress of higher education and HE institutions has been far from satisfactory. Again, when we compare the total number of universities in Uttar Pradesh, it is 53 only whereas a smaller State Tamil Nadu has 55 universities. The population of Uttar Pradesh as per 2011 census is 20 crore whereas Tamil Nadu has only 7.21 crore. Population wise our Uttar Pradesh must have 07 Central Universities, 61 autonomous colleges and 48 state universities. Till 1960s, the Uttar Pradesh had major contribution in quality teaching in higher education and the State government seriously considered the development of higher education institutions. It is because of this vision only that the state opened model government colleges in 1950s and many of University professors came to join as Principals of such colleges. The sole objective of such model colleges was to provide quality education in suburban areas of Uttar Pradesh. But now these reputed colleges have lost their academic luster. Days are not far off when the quality teaching and research of these colleges would become things of the past if concerted efforts are not taken by the State government.

The present paper tries to examine the challenges of HE institutions in the light of quality and globalization of higher education, In more rigorous terms, how reforms could be brought about to provide job prospects, empowerment of women and of deprived sections of society, inculcation of a national culture and value systems, provision of student support services in teaching, learning and evaluation. The paper also tries to examine the scenario of conventional courses vis-a- vis professional courses in terms of their relevance. It also looks into factors that are responsible for generating ill will among society.

Keywords:

Higher Education (HE), University Grants Commission (UGC), Banares Hindu University (BHU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).