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PUBLICPRIVATEPARTNERSHIPINHIGHEREDUCATION
INTHECONTEXTOFHARYANA
Introduction
Thetermpublicprivatepartnership(PPP)entailsdiverserangeofmeanings,mechanismsandpolicy
tools. Defining a particular form of PPP will require specifying the meaning, role, responsibility, and
incentivesofthepublicandtheprivatepartner.WhateverformaPPPmaytake,conceptuallyaswellas
practically, it emphasises thegrowing importanceof theprivate sector in fundingandprovisioningof
various goods and services. The rise of the term PPP can be traced to the 1980s, when in western
economies, theprivate sectorwasbecoming important inareas thatwerepredominantly fundedand
managedbythepublicsector.Educationsectorisonesucharea.WhilePPPinschooleducationisawell-
exploredpolicyarea,PPPinhighereducationhasreceivedlittleattentioninacademicliteratureaswell
asinpolicymaking.1
Giventhegrowingimportanceoftheprivatesector,insteadofgoingforprivatisation,governmentsmay
liketoresorttothemiddlepathofadoptingaPPP.Thisessentiallymeanscontractingwiththeprivate
sector provision either of services to consumers, or of important inputs to the production of these
services.2In this context, two terminologies become important – one, private finance initiative (PFI),
whichisalong-termcontract,thatnormallyreferstocaseswherethereissignificantassetownershipby
theprivatesector.Thesecond,contractingoutorfranchising,meansafewspecificassetinvestmentby
theprivatesector.3
PPP is a symbiotic relationship between the public and private sectors where both parties come
togethertooptimallyutiliseeachother’sknowledge,resources,skillsandexpertiseinprovidingsolutions
1AlthoughpublicfundingandprivateprovisioningofhighereducationintheformofGrantsinAidmodelof
highereducation,isadominantfeatureofthepost-colonialhighereducationsysteminIndiabutnewformsofPPP,inparticularwhereprivatesectorcomesforwardandinvestsinhighereducationhasreceivedlittleattentionintheoryandpractice.
2Grout,PaulA.,andMargaretStevens."Theassessment:financingandmanagingpublicservices."OxfordReviewofeconomicpolicy19.2(2003):215-234.
3ibid
totheissuesoflackoninvestment,usuallyinsocialoverheadsandcommercialinfrastructureprojects.
Thereis,however,nosingleacceptedinternationaldefinitionofwhataPPPis(PPIAF,WorldBankInstitute
2012).VarioussuccessfulmodelsofPPPcanbeviewedacrosscountrieswhereeachmodelsynergises
publicandprivaterolesandcapacitiesdifferently.If,ontheonehand,thePPPmodelofIrelandproposes
acoalitionwhere‘publicsectorspecifiestheserviceoutputsrequiredandtheprivatesectorproposesthe
bestmeanstoachievethem’4withsubstantialemphasisonrisksharing,thePFImodelofUnitedKingdom,
ontheother,utilisesprivatefinancetodeveloppublicservices.
PPPinIndia
In India,however,amorecollaborativeapproach is followedwherethegovernmentmayassume
eithertheroleofafundingagencyorabuyerofservicesorbecomesacoordinatororfacilitator,specifying
areas where private initiative should be forthcoming5. Although sporadic instances of public private
initiatives can be witnessed throughout economic history of India, be it the investment by British
companies in Indian“guaranteed”railways inthe latterhalfof18thCenturyorthesettingupof Tata
HydroelectricPowerSupplyCompany in1910 by theTatas.Themajorpolicy thrust topublicprivate
initiative, however, was provided in the 1990s, especially with the setting up of Infrastructure
DevelopmentFinanceCompanyontherecommendationsoftheExpertGrouponCommercialisationof
InfrastructureProjectsin1997(Chatterjee,2012).Sincethentherehasbeenanappreciativeriseinthe
numberofPPPprojectsininfrastructure6.Fromahumblefigureof5in1991-92,numberofPPPprojects
hasrisenexponentiallyto8144in2017-18(DepartmentofEconomicAffairs,GOI,2017)7
However,ifwecloselyanalysethesector-wisetrendsinPPPfrom1991-92to2017-18,wediscover
somestrikingtrendsintheallocationanddistributionofPPPprojects.
4IrelandStateAuthorities[PPPArrangements]Act,20025ReportofPPPsubgrouponsocialSector:PublicPrivatePartnership;PlanningCommission,GOI,20046Itistobenotedthatallthedatathatwepresenthere,isonPPPininfrastructureinIndia.7Infrastructureindia.gov.in,DepartmentofEconomicAffairs,GovernmentofIndia,2017.
https://infrastructureindia.gov.in/year-wise
Source:DepartmentofEconomicAffairs,GovernmentofIndia8Thetransportandenergysectorsattracted78percentofthetotalPPPprojectswhereasPPPpresence
insocialandcommercialinfrastructureconstitutesameasly4percent.Withinthesocialandcommercial
infrastructure around 90 percent of the investment has gone in to common infrastructure and SEZs
whereassocialsectorslikeeducationandhealthcarearelargelyleftwanting.Educationinparticularhas
nearlybeenignoredwithitreceivingminuscule0.48%oftheinvestment.
Source:DepartmentofEconomicAffairs,GovernmentofIndia9
Haryana,despiteofbeingoneofthericheststatesofIndia,doesn’tseemtobeapreferreddestination
forPPP.IntermsofnumberofPPPprojects,HaryanalagsbehindstateslikeJharkhand,Odisha,Telangana
andChhattisgarh.
8ibid9ibid
35%
4%44%
17%
PPPprojectsinvarioussectorsinIndiain2017
Energy
SocialandCommercialInfrastructure
Transport
WaterSanitation
ColdChain,3.82%
Commoninfrastructurefor
industrialparks,SEZ,89.19%
Education,0.48%
HealthCare,0.94%Tourism,5.57%
PPPInvestmentinSocialandCommercialInfratructure ColdChain
Commoninfrastructureforindustrialparks,SEZEducation
HealthCare
Tourism
Source:DepartmentofEconomicAffairs,GovernmentofIndia10
AsperthesectorwiseallocationofPPPprojectsinHaryana,transportemergesasthemostsought-
aftersectorforPPP.
Source:DepartmentofEconomicAffairs,GovernmentofIndia11
Transport and water sanitation emerge as the champion sectors, attracting 71 percent of the
investment,leavingsocialandcommercialsectorsfarbehind.Oneofthemostdisturbingfeaturesisthe
oftheabsenceoftheeducationsectorastherecipientofpublicprivateinvestment.
PPPinHaryanaisviewedasaninstrumentforcreatinganenablingenvironmenttofacilitateprivate
sector in delivering high-quality public services, developing and augmenting physical and social
infrastructureassetsaswellasforthemanagementofexistingones,andforanoverallimprovementin
thequalityoflifeofthepeopleofthestate(PPPPolicyinHaryana,GovernmentofHaryana).Forgivinga
policythrusttoprivateinvestmentinHaryana,‘thePPPCellinthestateFinancedepartmentwassetup
10ibid11ibid
1023
697648488
486456
447443
443409320
304298
209205
184176
147143
133
118
10658
5638
35 31 12 8 6 5 4 4 2 20
200400600800
10001200
No.ofP
rojects
States
State-wiseallocationofPPPprojectsinIndia(1991-2017)
19%
10%
43%
28%
Sector-wisePPPprojectsinHaryana
Energy
SocialandCommercialInfrastructure
Transport
WaterSanitation
to assist Government in mainstreaming PPPs at the central and state levels through capacity
enhancement/development.”(GovernmentofHaryana,2010)
ThePPPpolicyofHaryanahaspromotedcertainsignificantsectorsandsub-sectorswheretheywant
theprivateinvestmenttobeforthcoming.Thesesectorsincludehealthcarefacilities,education,tourism
&relatedprojects,urbaninfrastructure,power,highways,roadtransportsystem,civilaviation,industrial
infrastructure,rural-publicconveniencesande-governance.(PPPPolicy,GovernmentofHaryana)
InspiteofafullyfunctionalPPPcellinplaceandaPPPpolicywithsetguidelinesandmandate,wesee
thatinvestmentinHaryanaisnotveryforthcoming.Ifwecloselylookatthetrends,weseethatHaryana
standsatthebottomoftheladderamongstIndianstates.Althoughitcanbearguedthatgeographical
sizeandeconomicdevelopmentoftheareadoplayanimportantroleinattractinginvestment,thebetter
performanceofsomeofHaryana’sneighbouringstateslikeHimachalPradeshandPunjabsignifiesthat
Haryanahasnotbeenutilisingitspotentialwell.
Thenearabsenceofpublicprivateinvestmentineducationatstateandnational level ismatterof
concern,whoserootsandcausesneedaspecialattention.Weshallfirstbeginbyanalysingtheconcept
of PPP in higher education. In particular, wewill explore the reasons for the need for PPP in higher
education,itspossibleformsandthenoutlineafewpolicyrecommendationsforHaryana.
PrivatesectorandHigherEducation
Attheconceptuallevel,PPPparticipationinhighereducationwouldrequiretheexistenceofaprivate
playersinthesector.Atthepolicylevel,thiswouldrequireconduciveregulatoryenvironmentthatwould
encouragetheexistenceandparticipationoftheprivatesectorinhighereducation.Here,privatesector
means not only for-profit business enterprises but also non-profit organisations, private universities,
community,nationalandinternationaldonoragencies,etc.
Private sector participation in higher education is a not a new phenomenon. Historically, private
institutionshaveexisted in society. In the lastquarterof the15th century, theEuropeanshad started
tradingwith India.TheyandprivateChristianmissionariesbegan to spread their religionandwestern
educationbyestablishingeducationalinstitutions.EastIndiaCompanyruleinIndialedtomoreconcrete
developmentinthisdirection.In1857,followingWood’sDespatchof1854,theneedformasseducation
with private and missionary help was recognised. This also led to decentralisation - the creation of
separatedepartmentfortheadministrationofeducationineachprovince,theestablishmentoffirstthree
universitiesofBombay,CalcuttaandMadrasandtheintroductionofsystemofgrant-in-aid.Interestingly,
these universities did not undertake the teaching responsibility and remained confined to the
administration.Mostoftheirexpensesweremetbyfeespaidbythestudents.Thereweremanycolleges
affiliated to these universities. Thus, the universities had very little intellectual life of their own and
remainedlargelyasaffiliatingandexaminingbodiesmodeledaftertheUniversityofLondon(Jayaram,
2004). Apart from these, in this period, therewere several non-missionary organisations like Brahmo
SamajwhichpropagatedEuropeaneducationinIndia.Manyoftheseeducationalinstitutionswerefunded
byeducationalgrantsbythegovernment,donationsandstudentfees(Jayapalan,2005).BothBanaras
HinduUniversity andAligarhMuslimUniversitybegunasprivate, religious institutions, andgotmajor
donations from rulers of princely states (Powar and Bhalla, 2008). They came to depend more on
governmentfundingonlyafterIndependence.Theobjectivesoffundingagenciesimpededtheautonomy
oftheeducationalinstitutions.Forinstance,accordingtoaresolutionpassedbytheBritishGovernment
in1835,allthefundsatthedisposalofthegovernmentshouldbespentonEnglisheducationsupporting
AnglisictsasagainsttheOrientaliststandinfavourofteachingthroughvernacularmedium.
After Independence, it was realised that the higher education system in India is scarred by
coloniallegacyandhastobereformedinaccordancewiththeobjectivesofanindependentcountry.Itis
pointedoutthatpost-independence,itwasonlyaftertheadoptionofstructuraladjustmentplansinearly
1990sthatagreaterroleforprivatesectorinhighereducationwasfavouredbytheIndiangovernment
(Tilak,2005).Beforethis,noneofthepolicydocumentssupportedanincreasedroleoftheprivatesector
(GOI, 1966; 1968; 1986). However, many of these documents were sceptical about the increasing
commercialisationoftechnicalcollegeschargingveryhighcapitationfees(GOI,1985,1986citedinTilak,
2005). Since Independence, regular features of Indian higher education sector are the state financed
privatecollegeswithpricecontrolandcostunderwritingthroughstategrants.Thisisalsoreferredtoas
grant-in-aid (GIA) system in India. Some argue that this is ‘pseudo privatisation’ as there is very less
autonomyleftinthehandsoftheprivatecolleges.Therehasbeenprivatisationofvariousgovernment
collegesaswell.Forinstance,in1997,thegovernmentofMadhyaPradeshtransferredsixmedicalcolleges
anditshospitalstonon-profitautonomoustrusts.Interestingly,mostvisiblechangethathappenedwas
theincreaseinthefeesofthesemedicalcollegesfromRs.600toRs.12000permonth(ibid).
Tocatertotheunmetdemandforhighereducation,therehasbeenariseinprivatehighereducation
institutionsinIndia.Thisincreaseinprivatehighereducationinstitutionshasbeensignificantinrecent
years.When it comes to university education, about 35% of the universities are privately managed.
However, when it comes to privatelymanaged colleges, about 78% of the total colleges in India are
privatelymanaged.Stand-aloneinstitutionsareprimarilymanagedbytheprivatesector(approximately
76%).
Thegrowingimportanceofprivatehighereducationinstitutionscannotbeonlyattributedtothe
adhocexpansionofhighereducationcateringtotheunmetdemand.Oflate,therehasbeenaconscious
policy push towards expansion andempowermentof theprivatehigher education institutionsby the
centralaswellasstategovernments.
Apartfromdirectprovisionofhighereducationinstitutions,privatesectorcanplayamajorrolein
providinghighqualityhighereducation.ThereasonsforPPPinhighereducationis laidoutinthenext
section.
PublicPrivatePartnershipinHigherEducation
Growingimportanceofprivatesectorinhighereducationcanbeattributedtoanumberoffactors:
a) RetreatofPublicSpending:Indiaspendscloseto3%ofitsGDPontheeducationsector.Thisis
lessthantheproposed6%mandatedinanumberofpolicydocuments.Overtheyears, inreal
terms,therehasbeenalittleincreaseinthebudgetaryallocationonhighereducation.Infact,
therehasbeenapushtowardsgenerationofresourcesbyhighereducationalinstitutions.Asper
RUSA, institutions are obliged to generate resources and shouldmake this a strategic part of
institutional development plan. Institutional resource generation would require commercial
usage of university resources. This may include partnering with private sector organisations.
Whiletheimportanceofpublicexpenditureonhighereducationcannotbeignored,privatesector
contributioninresourcegenerationanddonationisincreasinglybecomingimportant.
b) GovernmentFailureinHigherEducation:Althoughimportanceofpublichighereducationcannot
bebelittledinthecontextofIndia,growinginefficiencyofthepubliceducationsystemisamatter
ofgraveconcern.Whilepublichighereducationsupportsmajorityofstudentenrolmentinhigher
education,mostofthepublichighereducationinstitutions,especiallycolleges,suffersfrompoor
quality of teachers, teacher absenteeism, poor infrastructure, outdated curriculum, lack of
conducivegovernancesystemandresearchenvironment.Ineconomicsliterature,thefailureof
government sector organisations is often attributed to a misaligned incentive structure that
encouragesslacknessintheattitudeoftheeducationalproviders.Thisinhibitsthepossibilityof
exploring any creative solution to a problem, thereby affecting the overall quality of higher
education.Thiscallsforprivatesectorparticipation,evenwithinpublicsectorinstitutions.
c) GrowingImportanceofMarketandMarket-likeMechanismsinPublicPolicy:Inconnectionto
thediscussionabove,therehasbeenagrowingimportanceofmarketandmarket-likemechanism
inhighereducation.Invokingeconomictheoryofmarket,itisarguedthatinstitutionsinamarket
settingwill cater to thedemandof their customersand thusare incentivized toprovidegood
qualitycommodityatthebestprice(byoptimisingcosts).Thiswouldencourageproductivityas
wellasefficiency.Thus,manypolicymakersarguetheemergenceofamarketinhighereducation
which includes theemergenceofprivate institutions.Thisalsoencourages the introductionof
marketlikemechanismsinpublichighereducationinstitutions.Whiletheimportanceofpublic
institutions isrealisedtomeetthe largersocialgoalsofhighereducation, instillingmarket-like
mechanismslikeemphasisonfacultyperformativityorencouragingchoiceofcourses,etc.,are
attemptstoimprovestudentsatisfactionaswellasthefacultyproductivity.
d) ChannelisingPrivatePhilanthropy:
PrivatephilanthropyhasplayedanenormousroleinhighereducationinIndia.Earlyexamples
of private philanthropy in higher education are in the pre-independence period (1892-1947)
(MehtaandKapur,2004).‘ThisperiodsawtheestablishmentofsomeofIndia’smostenduring
trusts and foundations and public institutions of enduring significance — Aligarh Muslim
University,BanarasHinduUniversity,JamiaMilliaIslamia,AnnamalaiUniversity,IndianInstitute
ofScience,amongothers—werecreatedlargelythroughvoluntarydonations.’(ibid,26).Some
oftheprominenttrustsestablishedinthisperiodwereTatas(SirRatanTata,SirDorabjiTataand
JRDTata),Bajaj,Birla(G.D.Birla,B.M.Birla),Lalbhai,Sarabhai,Godrej,ShriRam,Singhania,Modi,
AnnamalaiChettiar,Murugappagroup(AAMFoundation),Naidu,Ramco,MafatlalandMahindra.
These trusts played amajor role in establishing quality higher education institutions in India.
Interestingly,amajorportionofthesephilanthropicgrantssupportedpublicinstitutionsinIndia.
FirstrateprivateinstitutionswerealsoestablishedinIndiaaroundthesametime–forexample,
Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bangalore; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR),
Mumbai;andBirlaInstituteofTechnology&Science(BITS),Pilani,tonameafew.
SinceIndependence,althoughtheprivatesectorhasgrown,itisstartlingtonotethatprivate
philanthropyhasgonedown(ibid).Oflatetherehasbeenasurgeinprivatephilanthropyinhigher
education,not intheformofdonationstopublic institutionsbut intheformofprivatehigher
educationinstitutions.Therefore, it ispertinenttomakegooduseofprivatephilanthropyinto
highereducation.Privatephilanthropybringsnotonlyfinancialresourcesbutalsobroadervision
and mission to higher education. By instilling fresh thinking into higher education, private
benevolentindividualscanpositivelyshapeupthefutureofhighereducation.
e) TappingCorporateSocialResponsibility:
A large proportion of CSR funds in education is largely being funneled through investment in
infrastructure, learningmaterialprovision,participation inschoolmanagementandadministration
whereas very little attention and resources are devoted to areas like developing early childhood
education,building capacities in the formof training teachersand school leaders, anddeveloping
pedagogyandlearningmethodslikeexperientialteaching.Infact,littleattentionispaidtoallocating
CSR funds for fostering a systemic change through investment in curriculum development,
development of learning material and other research. Merely investing in infrastructure is not
enough. Investment should be directed towards infrastructure that creates conducive learning
environmentalongwiththeprovisionofadequatesupportforpropermaintenanceandutilisationof
the created infrastructure. CSR investment also does not look too favourably towards parent/
community engagement and awareness and school-based nutrition and health programmes as
potential areas of intervention and prefers to provide in kind or cash assistance. There is a bias
towardscertainsectorswhereasotherareassufferduetothelackofCSRfunding.Themajorreasons
ofthisperceivedtrendcanbeattributedtolackofrecognisedimplementationpartnersandtechnical
experts,riskinimplementingtheseprojectsandlong-gestationoftheprojectsandperceivedchange.
Anothermajor area of concern is the lack of CSR initiatives in socially relevant issues that play a
significant role in education. For example, schemes encouraging education for the girl child or
changingthemindsetoflocalcommunitiesregardingfemaleeducation.ForHaryana,wheregender
discriminationisrampant,CSRinterventioninsuchschemeswillbeacrucial.Theemphasisshouldbe
laidnotonlyonmonetarybutalsoonnon-monetarysupportintheformofdevelopingcontentfor
vocationaltrainingprogramme,developingmobileandcomputerappsbycorporates,andproviding
technicalandadvisorysupport12.Thefocusshouldalsobeonprojectswhichhaveamassimpactand
where benefits trickle down to maximum beneficiaries. Therefore, CSR should focus on greater
communityengagement,awarenessandcapacity-buildingprojects.CSRinthesocialsectorshouldbe
more than amere contribution to infrastructure. It should emerge as amajor contributor in the
provisionofcriticalandconsultativeservices.
ClassifyingPPPsinhighereducation
PPPsinhighereducationcoversarangeofactivitiesincludingfinance,philanthropy,delivery
andmanagement.Asperoneclassification:
12MappingEducationinitiativesof100companieswiththelargestCSRbudgets,SamhitaSocialVentures,
2015.http://www.samhita.org/csr-in-education-what-are-indias-top-companies-upto/
Source:WorldBank13
RecommendationstodevelopPPPinHigherEducationinHaryana
13PPPinHigherEducationbyNormanLaRocque.Availablehere.
Universityindustrylinkages
InfrastructurePPPs Financing
Highereducationsupportservices
ServicedeliveryPPPs
University-IndustryLinkges
•Curriculum/pr-ogramdevelopment•Student/jobplacements•Staffexchanges•R&D–contractresearch,consultancies•Privaterepresentationongoverning/advi-soryboards•HybridR&Dinstitutions/CentersofExcellence•Innovation/co-mmercializa-tioninitiatives
InfrastructurePPPs
•Privateinfrastructureinitiatives-teachingandresearchfacilities,residences,ITlaboratories,etc•Privateleasingofpublichighereducationinstitutions•EquippingandmaintenanceofITlaboratories
FinancingInitiatives
•Publicorprivatescholarships/vouchers•Studentloans•Tuitionfees•Privatesectorincentives:freeland,orsoftloans,operationalandresearchsubsidies,tax/customsdutyexemptions•Philanthropy
HigherEducationSupportServices
•Privatequalityassurancesystems•Privatesectoruniversityrankings•Privateinformationandtestingservices•Internationalandnationalresearchnetworkdevelopment
ServiceDeliveryPPPs
•Franchisingandaffiliationswithpublicuniversities•Contractingoutcourse/programdeliverytoprivatesector•Contractingoutnon-coreservicestoprivatesector–eg.security,parking,hostels•Privatemanagementofpublicuniversitiesservice
SettingupofInfrastructureFundforfinancinghighereducationinstitutes:Asclichédasitsounds,
the first and foremost area where PPP is required is in college infrastructure. Before moving on to
establishing world-class universities, we first need to provide basic sustainable infrastructure to our
existingcolleges.Infrastructureinlotofcollegesisindilapidatedstate.Inmanycases,collegesdon’thave
theirownbuildingsandfacilitiesandarebasingoutofrentedclassroomsinotherschoolsandcolleges.
Thisnecessitatesflowoffundstoinfrastructure.Therefore,combiningprivateinvestment,expertiseand
governmentresourcesandrisk-taking,aspecialprivatevehiclecanbeestablishedthatwillspecialisein
providing/refinancinginfrastructuredevelopmentfundsinhighereducationinHaryana.Thisagencycan
functionasaforemostagencyforfinancinginfrastructuredevelopmentprojectsinhighereducationonly.
PPPinCurriculumandCourseDevelopment:Asignificantareawhereprivateinitiativecanmakea
lastingcontributioniscourseandcurriculumdevelopmentforstatecollegesanduniversitiesinHaryana.
Since one of the larger missions of higher education is to prepare the youth for the demands and
requirementsofthejobmarketandhelpthemdevelopcriticalskills,itisthereforeimperativethatthe
courseandcurriculumisstructuredinwaysthatcatertothedemandsoftheindustryandjobmarket.
Here,thegovernment,privatebusinesscompanies,universitiesandotheragenciescanallpitchin.While
privatebusinessescanhelpdevelopcommerce,managementcoursemodulesandsyllabuswithadequate
emphasis on practical and industrial training and internships, private universities can help develop
researchcultureinpubliccolleges.CorporatehouseslikeEscortsgroup,AvanthaGroup,SRSGroupand
JindalGroupcancontribute to thisendeavor inabigway.Escort,which is India’s leadingengineering
company,cancollaboratewithuniversitieslikeGJUSTandDeenBandhuChottuRamUniversityofScience
and Technology in developing projects, trainings and curriculum that will introduce students to the
cutting-edge research and latest technologies in engineering, science and technology. Similarly,
universitieslikeO.P.JindalGlobalUniversityandAshokaUniversitycanformknowledgepartnershipswith
statecollegesanduniversitieswherebytheycancollaboratewithpublicinstitutionstopromoteaculture
ofresearchinlaw,socialsciences,artsandhumanities.
PPP inManagement andAdministration of universities and colleges: The private sector is often
reveredforitsmanagerialefficienciesandhighlyskilledadministrativeabilities.Theremarkablyhighlevels
of efficiency, speed, expertise and pursuance of structural approach need to be promoted in public
establishments.Therefore,outsourcingofmanagerialandadministrativeworkslikepreparationofresult,
events organisation, and formation and working of various committees will free the existing faculty
membersfromtheseactivitiesandgivethemmoretimeandopportunitiestodelveintheirownresearch.
Monetaryandnon-monetarysupporttostudents:Scholarshipsandfinancialaidprogrammerscan
be developed whereby private sector can provide financial assistance to selected students from
underprivilegedbackgrounds.CSRfundingandprivatephilanthropycanbeausefulsourceoffundingin
these areas. Scholarships and financial aids in the name of outstanding philanthropists, business
personalitiesandheadofcorporatehousescanbeawardedyearlytostudents.Privatesponsorshipsto
encourage thosestudentswhoaimtostudyabroad fromreputeduniversities shouldbechampioned.
Fellowship programmes for graduate and postgraduate can be developed in collaboration with the
government. Private universities likeAshoka andO P JindalGlobalUniversity can take a lead here in
channelizingfundingandtouchbaseofusefulinformationaboutnationalandinternationalfundingand
scholarshipstothestudents.Theseuniversitiescanadevelopathreetofour-weeksummerandwinter
schools for students where students will be provided an exposure to the world-class infrastructure,
innovative teachingmethods,global leadersandcritical thinkers so theycandevelopanacademically
globalperspective.
PPP in developing Higher Education: An area that largely remains devoid of private action and
initiative is private participation in social sector schemes. In an economically prosperous state like
Haryana,thereisgravegenderdiscriminationagainstfemales.Thissocialbiasissignificantlypresentin
highereducation. Incertaindistricts likeNuhandFatehabad, femalegrossenrolmentratio is insingle
digit,paintingaworryingpictureforhighereducation.Here,privatesectorcanstepinasafacilitatorof
social change. They can get involved at the grassroots level and channel investment in promoting
campaigns against gender discrimination through campaigns, engagement with parents, sponsoring
foundationsthatworkintheareaofhighereducation,andencouragingandparticipatingincommunity
engagementinitiatives.
PPPandFacultyDevelopmentProgramme
PPP can play an instrumental role in capacity building, leadership development and creating
knowledgepartnerships.AsuccessfulparadigmofthiscanbeseeninChiefMinister’sGoodGovernance
AssociatesProgrammebyAshokaUniversityinwhichselectedcandidatesgettheexposureofworkingin
stateadministration.Theygettowitnessvarioussystemicaswellassocietalproblemsthatplaguethe
state.Thetrainingandexposuretheygethelpthemdeveloptheirleadershipskills,enhancetheirdecision-
making abilities and make them more responsible and accountable citizens. Similarly, the in-service
facultydevelopmentandtrainingprogrammesconductedforpubliccollegesbyprivateinstitutionsare
anothersphereforpublic-privatesynergism.
Co-optingothernon-stateactorslikeNGOs,communitiesandfamilies
TheideaofprivateinPPPcanbefurtherexpandedtoincludenon-governmentalorgnaizationswhich
haveknowledge,expertiseandotherusefulresources(non-monetary)tomeetthelargersocialgoalsof
highereducation.Fromgendersensitisationtoclinicalprogrammesincourseslikelaw,NGOscanplaya
vital role. A policy framework canbe devised to includeother non-state actors like communities and
families into higher education development. Working closely with communities and families, higher
education institutions can understand and address issues faced by communities and families.
Epistemological knowledge to include the idea of participatory research should be further explored.
However,thiswillrequireestablishmentofbasicpolicyinfrastructureaswellaswell-designedincentives
forauniversitytocollaboratewithitsimmediatecommunity.
MechanismtoattractPPP
ComprehensivePPPpolicyforHigherEducation
ThefirststepinthisdirectionentailsformulationofacomprehensivehighereducationPPPpolicyby
the Department of Higher education to carve out a mutually beneficial path for ushering in private
investment in public higher educational institutions. A clear and decisive policy on investment will
demonstrate state’s commitment to thewhole initiative, boosting private investment in state higher
educationinstitutions.
ConclavesandInvestorSummits
TheInvestorsummitandPPPconclaveareeffectivewaystoattractinvestorsandintroducethemto
thegovernment’svisionforprivateinitiativeinthehighereducationsectorofthestate.A2-3-daysummit
canbring together state authorities, private companies andeducational institutionsdesign a rigorous
public-privatepartnershipfoundation.
EstablishmentofPPPandCSRCell/departmentineachuniversity
Everystateuniversityshouldbeaskedtoset-upaPPPcell/department,dedicatedtoattractprivate
investmentforthedevelopmentofcollegesaffiliatedtoit.Eachuniversityshouldbeencouragedtoform
partnershipswithcompanies, trust funds, societiesandNGOs.They should try to funnelCSR fundsof
companies to thehigher education institutions judiciously. For this, theuniversity cell should identify
collegeswhoareindireneedoftheprivateresourcesandshouldcategorizethedemandsintosections
likefunds,infrastructure,services,training,placementsamongothers.Accordingly,privateresourcescan
thenbedistributeovervariouscolleges.Thiswillenhancetherelationshipbetweenpublicuniversities
andprivatecompaniesandhelpbuildatransparentandtrustfulpartnershipbetweenthetwo.
EncouragePhilanthropyandCSRinitiatives
Thereisaneedtocreateapoolofpartnerscommitteetostrengthenthehighereducationsector.A
suitablepolicytoextendsupporttoindividuals,corporate,NGOs,Trusts/Societiestoworkcloselywith
theGovernmentColleges,shouldbedeveloped.Regulareventscanbeorganizedincollegestosensitise
potentialprivatesectorpartners.Emphasisshouldbeplacedininvitinglocalpartnerswhocansponsor
colleges.
TheideaofPPPinhighereducationrequiresutmostattentionofpolicymakers.However,attention
shouldbefocusedonconceptualisingandimplementingnewforms,actors(public-centre,stateandlocal,
andprivate-industry,privateuniversities,NGOs,communityetc.),mechanisms(contractingoutaswellas
private finance initiatives), tools and terms of contract. It is time to embrace new thinking in higher
educationpolicyandexploringnewformsinPPPinhighereducationwillbeastepintherightdirection.