On speaking with Professor Yash Pal, key author of the report of, ?The Committee to Advise on Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher Education,? one is struck by his optimism and conviction that things in higher education can be much better. He exhibits a ?just do it? attitude and is not very patient with ?but?s and how?s?. In his report he has laid out the blue print for ?rejuvenation? in higher education. ?Execution and implementation, once begun, will involve a continuous improvement and learning process?, he says. He has had an insider?s view, having served as the Chairman of the University Grants Association from 1986 to 1991, the agency he is recommending to subsume by ?just one? overarching national council for higher education and research (NCHER) that will have a broader and more inclusive vision for higher education.
Yash Pal?s proposals for higher education are a mix of strong ideological beliefs regarding education and practical, implementable suggestions on improving governance and efficiencies within higher education. For instance, he says that the NCHER model will be successful because of its philosophy of laying down the guidelines and then delegating freedom to universities and colleges to establish their own ?knowledge and curricular details?. The report says, ?There is no need for separate Councils for various areas?.
Yash Pal has based his recommendations on ?renovation and rejuvenation of higher education? on a few core beliefs regarding higher education. For instance, his contention with AICTE, UGC, MCI and other governing bodies are that they function under an ?inspection approval method? instead of being a ?verification and authentication system?. Under the NCHER, Yash Pal has implied that universities will have more autonomy in governance once they have proved their worthiness of being called a university. At the same time he has suggested setting up a ?National Educational Tribunal? to fast-track adjudication of disputes among stakeholders within higher education. Both the above are part of Minister of HRD, Kapil Sibal?s 100-day plan for education.
Yash Pal seems to have deliberately stayed away from getting into the nuts and bolts of implementation for each of his recommendations. Considering the tone of change in his report, there would be significant consensus required before implementation is started. For instance, just the introduction of National Council for Higher Education and Research and the National Educational Tribunal would require legislative intervention plus the redefining, restructuring and realigning of all stakeholders involved.
Of the many reasons for providing more autonomy to colleges and universities, Yash Pal is particularly keen that institutes take the initiative to build and provide interdisciplinary options to students. He draws a parallel between ?disciplines? and ?cells? within our body. ?For cells to grow, their walls need to be porous and not impervious and likewise for students to flourish academically they need to have exposure to an education system that would give them a cross-disciplinary choice. This should be offered in our best universities including the IITs and IIMs.? An educational eco-system according to Yash Pal needs to replicate the real world wherein ?both economic and sociological globalisation can flourish?.
Basing his recommendations in higher education on the principle of inclusiveness Yash Pal has encouraged institutes to act resourcefully in areas such as teacher?s training, administration and management, grading and exams. He has categorically said that uniformity amongst universities and colleges need not exist, as that would curb creativity. At the same time his report stresses the importance of credit transfers and student exchanges. How the recommendations are implemented and help chart the roadmap for the future is of paramount importance now.