Sustainability of Higher Education: Means to subdue the challenges.

*P. Arulpragasam.

Globalization under the GATS and its implications the higher education become as a

commodity. Though our nation exercised many number of oppositions on WTO and its

implications on education yet it was inevitable. As a result of resistance GATS emerged

and it includes Education as service sector. India and its potentiality in higher education

could draws other countries particularly most favoured nations to establish their

campuses in our soil. Though the GATS included education as service sector in to five

categories namely Primary education, Secondary education, Higher education, Adult

education and other education. Besides all the Higher education alone come under lime

light of developed countries, that too the year 2006 will have more impact of them. In this

circumstances rather resisting the influence of globalization in governance, staffing,

curricula, funding, accountability and equity these issues must be addressed, judged and

gauged by SWOT to face the challenges ahead on our system. It is a right time to

undertake the exercise of ICT and to change the teaching methodology to cope up the

facing threat on us.

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* Seva Sadan’s College of Education, Ulhas Nagar – 421 003, Maharashtra

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 Due to the weakness in our syllabi, the invasion of foreign universities and its attractive

course modules has drastic effect on higher education system of us. To subdue it there are

some pondering issues and it would be addressed is need of the hour.

Pondering Areas

 National Curriculum

In order to over come the problem posed by globalization it is important to formulate

national curriculum. The education system must have uniform syllabi and to follow

national curriculum. More over the curriculum would be trend oriented and updated to

face the threat of foreign universities programme. Although the UGC revised the

curriculum of nearly 32 subjects is still not sufficient and defects in that, in order to

enrich the course contents and to make them relevant to needs of market revision and

update of the curriculum is need of the hour. This revision implies the concept of local

needs and the employment of student but the condition of today is mismatched with the

employers’ requirements. To meet the competition and to achieve the excellence in

higher education revision of market need based curriculum is indispensable. The same

has been identified by Knowledge Commission and recommends uniform quality

throughout universities.

 Teaching methodology

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 Right from beginning chalk and talk with questioning method of pedagogy is used as

effective tool in imparting education. There is no doubt that the chalk and talk is the best

medium but in the context of globalization one has to apply a many number of ICT based

products for effective and efficient teaching and enhance the class climate. It is opt to

remember the sayings of Lowman, that “ Excellent teaching cultivates and stimulates

students”. In order to face the challenges of higher education under the globalization one

has to facilitate the modern teaching technology and ICT instructions for effective

teaching. The video conference, Community cable Television programme, Web enabled

courses in Open Distance Learning , Online learning, Virtual Learning, etc are the viable

method to face the competition and it has to be implemented irrespective of its cost

factor.

 CCTV (Community Cable Tele Vision)

To disseminate the distance education course materials of different types students

residing in the territorial area of would be tie up with local community cable television

operator to broadcast the educational material of their students, When the CCTV

operators are beaming the course materials student can get it at their drawing room.

Although it is resembles the UGC countrywide television programme, the CCTV

programme impact on them is more because of the time slot factor. Further the CCTV

gives pleasure to them while viewing and learning because of being preoccupied daytime

activities.

 Role of Information and communication Technology (ICT)

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 The ICT based products shown a rapid change in teaching and learning process. The ICT

products cultivates self learning concept among students. The ICT / CAI is a

complementary tool in pedagogy where the teacher-computer-student triangular

collaboration stimulates the student to learn. In CAI, the use of animations and graphics

are efficient tool to explain the complex phenomenon. Even the ICT is used in

management information system and Decision support system of educational

management. As the trial and error nature of CAI students are benefited in their teaching

learning effectiveness.

 Video conferencing

The video conferencing is computer assisted system allows access of interaction between

many people at various location. Though it is expensive due to the scientific development

on computer technology it becomes affordable and more useful in transmission of point

to point or point to multi areas. The video conferencing is an efficient alternate tool in

pedagogy. The video conferencing is the major break through in educational

transmission through its one can see, hear, speak, ability to observe body language and

the opportunity to provide immediate feedback Thus it reduce cost and increase the scope

of timely communication. Further video conferencing draws more interaction and

involvement on the subject discussed.

 Podcasting

The podcast based on the Personal Assistance Device namely iPod where the

informations related to the programme of the study has been uploaded and distributed to

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the students at the time of admission in western countries. In podcast a set of audio and or

video files on a common theme maintained by web feed and downloaded through the

internet are stored and distributed to the students. It can be easily downloadable on the

user’s computers. We use this device for more entertainment rather edutainment but it is

a viable medium for ODL systems of learning.

Web enabled programme

As the implications of GATS, the cross border supply educational material can be sent

and access by online. The new mode of delivery of educational materials through internet

is easy to access and available to all at 24x7. There are many numbers of websites, which

are providing adequate relevant information of the courses. By make use of the websites

students can pursue and enrich their knowledge. Many foreign universities or institutions

which are affiliated to them are following this unique feature to cope up with the

education system exists.

Online Education

The online education is compound word of internet technology and methodology of

teaching. This is an effective way of pedagogy to the needy and aspiring people who are

residing any where on the globe. Online learning can boost and advance their learning

processes and it a unique tool in distance learning. Through the online any university can

distribute its course materials globally with out any physical extension of campus. In

online education the role of internet is remarkable and it is a cost effective medium for

distribution of course materials, The internet enabled course materials are unique feature

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in higher education of foreign universities. In west through online they deliver course

materials at 24x7 and anywhere basis. In online student can access the information at all

the time, submit their assignments, get it evaluate, communicate with instructors or

scholars and down load the information. Thus online learning would mould the student

learning psychology irrespective of its limitations and it is a viable option to face the

threat of globalization on higher education.

Virtual Education

The virtual education is more or less similar of online education in function and character

of learning. However there is a slight difference between the online and virtual education.

In virtual education the web is the source of information, The web based course materials

is the basic component in virtual education. The web acts as interface between the

University and Student. The loaded course materials in web server are the class room of

virtual education and it will be accessed, interacted and integrated with internet in 24x7.

That the same way examinations can also be in student’s convenient time slot with the

more objective based rather descriptive one.

Globalization and Equity

The advent of foreign universities and its implications are end product of inadequate

funding on Higher education. As a result equity of education for socially, culturally and

economically deprived would not be in a position to continue their higher education. So

that these sociocultural areas must be discussed seriously and arrive a possible and

acceptable solution of all.

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College of Excellence

Under the assessment of NAAC any institution can be identified and selected as a

potential nodal point in particular subject, where video conferencing facility must be

provided. In that identified college scholarly teacher gives lecture to his student would be

accessed simultaneously by all colleges through video conference. Instead a group of

student getting knowledge many numbers of students would be accessed and benefited.

This combination draws interactive response and act as focal point for enhanced quality

of education.

To conclude one has to accept the impact of globalization on higher education

rather resisting and face it as a challenging approach and come up with a mission to

challenge the Cross Border Education.

Source Consulted

Mohanty Jagannath, (2007). Trends in Higher Education. New Delhi: Deep & Deep.

Hommadi A.K (1990). Higher Education in third world. New Delhi: Indian Bibliographic

Bureau.

Dawra Sudhir (Ed). (2004). Information Management. New Delhi: Sonali Pub.

Patnaik M.S (1999). Interactive Distance Learning over Internet. New Delhi: Rajat Pub.

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To,

The Editor,

Bharateeya shikshan,

189,D 43, Ashish Coop Society, Sector-1 ,

Charkop, Kandivli( West) Mumbai- 400 067.

Respected Sir,

Sub:- Submitting a article entitled on Sustainability of Higher Education :Means to

Subdue the challenges for publication.

It is very happy to submit a article entitled Sustainability of Higher Education: Means to

subdue the challenges for publication in your esteemed journal. I request you to accept

my article and please publish the same in the forth coming issue. Further I assure you sir

that is this is my original work and not copied from any other sources.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Yours sincerely,

P.ARULPRAGASAM