APQN Conference-2010Bangkok,

2-5 March, 2010

Emerging Issues in Indian Accreditation Scenario

Dr. Jagannath Patil Deputy Adviser, NAAC APQN Board Member

JP- NAAC 1

2

Emerging issues in Indian Accreditation scenario-

Outline-Ranking of Higher Education Institutions.Entry of foreign providers in Indian HEOpening up of accreditation sector

3

The ranking debate

Ranking is the buzzword in higher education ‘market’.International trends –Rankings widely discussed, both in positive and

critical way, in academic community across the globe.Two most talked about are:

Shanghai Ranking (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

THES (Times Higher Education Supplement)There are many other so called international/ regional Checkered history of league tables and national

rankings

4

Shanghai Ranking (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

The Shanghai rankings are criticized for bias towards natural sciences.

Criteria Indicator Code Weight

Quality of Education

Alumni of an institution winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals

Alumni 10%

Quality of Institution

Staff of an institution winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals

Award 20%

Highly cited researchers in 21 broad subject categories

HiCi 20%

Research Output

Articles published in Nature and Science*

N&S 20%

Articles in Science Citation Index-expanded, Social Science Citation Index, Arts & Humanities Citation

Index

SCI 20%

Size of Institution

Academic performance with respect to the size of an institution

Size 10%

Total 100%

5

THES (Times Higher Education Supplement)

Some of the major criticism on THES rankings surrounds on appropriateness of the criteria and subjectivity of reputational survey .

Criteria Indicators

Weight

"Peer review" Opinions of 5,101 experts, of whom 41 % are in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 30 % in the Americas, and 29 %in the

Asia-Pacific region 40%

Research excellence

Number of citations by the number of full-time equivalent staff. 20%

Size Staff-to-student ratio 20%

Employer's view QS asks major global and national employers across the public and private sectors which universities they like to hire from. This year’s sample includes 1,471 people, with 43 per cent in the Americas, 32 per cent in Europe and 25 per cent in Asia-Pacific.

10%

Number of International students

Number of international students at institution 5%

Number of staff who comes from other countries

Number of international staff who comes from other countries at institution

5%

6

Ranking craze in Indian HE system-

Major Players- India Today- college ranking Out loook- Professional colleges rankings Education Times / GFK Mode- New entrant with University ranking as well. Many other business magazines and some unheard agencies are also in fray. Major criticism – perception based , reputational surveys, no on site peer review and verification.

7

8

9

10

11

Living with Ranking…

You hate it or love it. But you can’t ignore it !

12

NAAC’s initiative on Ranking Rationale-

India’s record in world ranking draw criticism. National media based rankings creating confusion among

stakeholders. NAAC’s Project to study the existing models and develop

an alternative model.

Challenges-

Lessons from grading debates Can we compete with media Shifting of focus- from quality improvement to quality

measurement Is it panacea to grading issues or move from Devil to

deep sea.?

13

Opening up of accreditation sector-

One of the bold initiative on agenda of the central government- National Authority for Regulation in Accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions-

NARAHEI Super body to license and regulate accrediting agencies. Societies formed under Registration act 1860 or company under section 25 of

Companies Act ,1956, would be eligible. Recommendation of National Knowledge Commission- “ NKC perceives a clear need to establish an Independent Regulatory Authority forHigher Education (IRAHE).….It would be the authority for licensing accreditation

agencies.” …’Establish independent and multiple accreditation agencies for all professional

institutions ‘ Report of ‘The Committee to Advise on Renovation and Rejuvenation of

Higher Education’- Proposed - The National Commission for Higher Education and Research (NCHER) “Accreditation Management: Creating norms for accreditation and certifying multiple

accreditation agencies which would be independent of the government .Institutions and universities may like to get accreditation from one or more than one agencies depending on their reputation. They would be also providing annual feedback to universities, and organizing

workshops etc.” Many private agencies are “waiting in wing”

14

India getting ready for foreign providers in HE.

Absence of regulatory framework till now Draft bill paving way for foreign providers is ready. [ Key

features would include mandatory registration in India, accreditation in home country , equivalence of curriculum in on shore and off shore offerings. ]

Opposition by political parties during last tenure of government

Position paper by Association of Indian Universities- AIU- opposing entry of foreign providers.

Ironically a good number of Indian universities have entered into collaborative arrangements like twining programme etc.

Winds of change as the new regime is set to welcome foreign players for bringing in quality reforms

New Brain gain policy and so called World Class universities

15

Opening up of accreditation sector- Issues-

Lessons from the current experience of private players in higher education.Western experience of Rat race of accreditation [ USA, Germany..]Are we ready to join the race?HE policy framework in fluid state. Role clarity of NAAC and other government / autonomous QA agencies. Part of regulatory system like CHEA or one of the players along with private agencies?Lessons from ‘Ranking galore ‘ in sphere of professional education. The competition is good . But who would be the beneficiaries? Will the students and society benefit?

16

Opening up of accreditation sector-Some Possibilities-

Opportunity for established players like NAAC to prove the worth.

Strengthening and revitalizing the existing QA mechanism.

Learning from experience in other developing countries-[ China , Chile , Malaysia]Regional accrediting agencies similar to USA.Institutional accreditation can remain with existing

bodies like NAAC while private players can be allowed in specialized programme accreditation.

Need for nationwide debate and stakeholder consultations

17

Change is the only constant

thing………....

Thank you ! Dr Jagannath PatilDeputy Adviser, NAAC,APQN Board Memberjp.naacindia@gmail.com

18