The Institutes of Eminence (IOE) scheme is a flagship initiative of the Union human resource ministry in India, aimed at projecting Indian institutions to global recognition. Under this scheme, selected institutes are promised complete academic and administrative autonomy. However, a recent report by the Indian Express has highlighted that the promised autonomy remains only on paper, and there are several issues with the scheme.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the IOE scheme, a higher education institution must currently be placed in the top 500 of global rankings or top 50 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). Private Institutions of Eminence can also come up as greenfield ventures, provided the sponsoring organization submits a convincing perspective plan for 15 years. The selection process is made through a challenge method mode by the Empowered Expert Committee constituted for the purpose.
Issues with the IOE Scheme
The Indian Express report has identified several issues with the IOE scheme, including:
No Funding: Private campuses receive no financial support under the IOE scheme, which creates financial constraints.
Multiplicity of Regulators: Although IOE regulations promise autonomy from the University Grants Commission (UGC), there are over 15 bodies regulating higher education, leading to red tape, delays, and compliance demands.
Mirage of Autonomy: The UGC still interferes in issues ranging from the naming of departments to the fixing of fees, indicating that the promised autonomy is not being realized in practice.
Difficult Visa Norms: The IOE institutes find the two-year visa given to foreign faculty too short, making it difficult to attract the best faculties from around the world.
Way Forward
To achieve the IOE scheme’s objectives, several measures must be implemented. These include:
Constitution of an Umbrella Body for Higher Education: The creation of an umbrella body for higher education would streamline regulatory processes, reduce delays, and improve compliance.
Relaxed Visa Norms for Foreign Faculty: IOE institutes should lobby for relaxed visa norms, which would help to attract the best faculties from around the world.
Why In News
Recently, the Indian Express published a report that sheds light on the Institutes of Eminence (IOE) scheme, revealing that the promised academic and administrative autonomy has failed to materialize in practice, despite being a major objective of the scheme. The report uncovers several issues and challenges that need to be addressed to ensure that the IOE scheme realizes its objectives.
MCQs about India’s Institutes of Eminence Scheme
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What is the eligibility criterion for a higher education institution to apply for the Institutes of Eminence (IOE) scheme?
A. Placed in the top 100 of global rankings or top 20 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)
B. Placed in the top 500 of global rankings or top 50 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)
C. Placed in the top 200 of global rankings or top 30 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)
D. Placed in the top 300 of global rankings or top 40 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)
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What is the primary issue with the IOE scheme?
A. Lack of interest among private institutions to apply for the scheme
B. Multiplicity of regulators in the higher education sector
C. Inadequate funding for private campuses
D. Difficulty in attracting students from other countries
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What is the way forward to achieve the objectives of the IOE scheme?
A. Increase funding for private campuses under the IOE scheme
B. Create an umbrella body for higher education and relax visa norms for foreign faculty
C. Introduce stringent regulations to ensure compliance with the IOE scheme
D. Increase the eligibility criteria for higher education institutions to apply for the IOE scheme
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