» Will the Quota Reservations proposed by the HRD Ministry be beneficial to the system?

Yes, I do think Quota can be effective in battering the social and economic status of the masses. But at the same time, I also believe that the concept of Quota alone never suffice the whole purpose for which it actually originated.

I am of the view that for making sure the benefits of our prosperity reaches everyone; we need to make use of many more ways than just the mere application of quota.

We have to make use of the individual components of any kind of grants and assistance just like quota.

Likewise, we can also implement a facility under which, for a year, free books, free tuitions and hostel facility is offered to some deserving candidates so that next years onwards, they compete with others on their own. This could be a good way to really help them.

We have to do something beyond quota; tools which are wholesome in nature and are implanted at sustainable level. Only then will the real benefit of the whole quota exercise will be fulfilled.

Quota should be for sometime only. It should be just an aid further supplemented by many other alternatives.

» What do you think is the reason for students not being keen enough to go for research? What is IP doing in this regard?

I feel the real issue lies with the sea-change difference in terms of remuneration offered to a researcher vis-à-vis remuneration to a corporate executive. It’s a fact that the whole ‘package offered’ is not so encouraging in case of a researcher.

There has to be some comparisons. India is among those countries where you can not expect a research enthusiast to invest 60% of his salary into his/her research goals only. This is one area where we need to follow the west. Those countries offer so many grants and financial assistances to researchers.

We have to really work towards transforming research into a lucrative career.

I am of the view that the issue requires serious discussions at a national level and both the Central and Sate Governments should really work hard to change the scenario.

IP with its limited capacity is working on the direction. IP believes that teaching and research can not be separated. IP University encourages the teachers and the students for extensive research work.

We are not only encouraging our teachers for research but also offer resources and let teachers take up extra courses and training for Value additions to their skill-set.

As a result, the faculties at IP have been able to take up many research projects sponsored by dozens of national agencies. Many of our students are now the recipients of the major fellowships and are working on the various research projects in wide ranging fields of Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, Environment Management and Information Technology among others.

» Do you feel that the current Indian higher education system needs to focus more on Vocational education and job-oriented courses?

Yes it’s true in today’s situation. Today’s job scenario demands a combination of skill-set which a traditional degree course is unable to offer.

IP University is seriously taking a note of this trend and is working on this direction. I also feel that so far IP has been very successful in its objectives.

» IP University is known to focus on professional education - the disciplines of engineering, technology, management, medicine, and mass communication - how are the job requirement’s changing and where do IP University grades fit in?

Undoubtedly, job requirement’s are changing at a very fast pace. The whole of India has been witnessing a sea-change in the skill sets required.

Since its inception, Indraprastha University dealt with this issue in a different manner. IP is among those universities which have never launched a single course without inputs and nod from the industry experts.

Our agenda has always been to first talk to the industry experts, get their feedback about relevance of any programme and then launch a programme. This way, all our courses are tailor-made as per industry’s requirements.

Any to-be-launched programme has to be passed by a university committee which has an active 50% representation from the industry.

Timely and regular updating of course-ware has also been our priority at all times.

» Do you also fee that there is a bit of stagnancy in universities course curriculum all over India?

Prof. K.K Aggarwal Vice Chancellor, IP University

Yes, it’s true this was the case earlier, but now most of universities have realized the importance of regular upgradation of curriculum as per industry’s requirements. The sooner we realize, the better it is in the interest of the country.

The trend is very encouraging now and I think today, all universities and schools have realized the importance of keeping pace with the globalized world and are really making significant contribution towards it.

» Owing to the Government’s flexible policy, dozens of private players have come into the picture, how do you see the pros and cons of this trend?

I don’t see anything wrong with the concept of privatization. In today’s scenario, dozens of private institutions are offering quality programmes in a variety of latest disciplines.

The Government must keep a close eye on the kind of quality being imparted at all such institutions. There should also be regulatory mechanism which works keeping into account students’ priorities for all such institutions.

» For long there has been a discussion on the low student-teacher ratio in Indian education institutions. How do you see it?  

I don’t think of this as a big issue. I think this has something to do with India’s huge population.

But we also have to see, there are universities across the world with classes comprising of over 400 students. Here, we have to note the fact that when it comes to tutorials, lab assignments and study groups, then small groups are formed.

Hence, I believe that India education system has to be more dynamic and flexible on this issue.

» Please tell us something about IP University’s new initiatives?  

We are constantly working on innovation and upgradation of our courseware.

We are also very much concerned about the importance of interdisciplinary approach of studies in all the subjects taught at the varsity. IP strongly believes that compartmentalization of subjects is something which all universities must do away with, to really promote active research and excellence in education.

Contribution towards professional education, as always, would be IP’s another top priority.

For setting up a State-of-Art Campus of the University with ultra-modern facilities, the University has acquired 60 acres of land at Dwarka (West Delhi). We also have decided to establish another Campus of the University in East Delhi opposite Surajmal Vihar, Karkardooma.

(DOU 28092007)

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(As told to Ahmad Shariq Khan)