Can We Assure Quality Of Institutions?

India’s higher education system has realised a skewed expansion in the last decade. Is accreditation the right measure to set standards?

- Prof. SS Mantha

Another academic session has begun. What do students of today really want? What can the ecosystem give them? What is an employer looking at? In a fast and ever changing employment plot, three to four years of graduation time can render the skills acquired obsolete, except those that supplement and improve analytical and reasoning abilities. Can a SWOT analysis be done for both the student and the ecosystem that results in a perfect match? Every challenge must be converted into an opportunity. Can the quality based challenges really bring a win-win for both the mainstays?

Challenges

Higher education seems to be challenged on many fronts today, both from academically gifted students to those who may not be so gifted. Cost of education is a prime factor for many to drop out and seek alternatives. This has led colleges to innovate, create efficient delivery platforms and outperform others in the business, all the time.

This brings us to the question of defining performance. Is it education that leads to good placements? Is it education that adds value to the thinking quotient of young minds or inculcates values in the young minds? These are important questions that higher education leaders must answer. In a contextual setting, the performance expectations of those inside higher education does not appear to align with the performance expectations of those outside of higher education. This misalignment is leading to more regulations and frustration.

Innovation is key