The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to be part of the Vidyanjali (Higher Education) programme of the Ministry of Education. The programme is aimed at strengthening the support system for students, teachers and institutions through volunteerism.
Under the project, Higher Educational Institutions will be connected to various volunteers- young professionals, retired/working teachers, retired/ working government officials, students of UG and PG level and corporates to provide academic and other support to the students, teachers and institutions.
As a first step, UGC has asked all the vice-chancellors of universities and principals of colleges to register their respective institutions on the Vidyanjali Higher Education portal.
Details:
-Higher Educational Institutions to be supported in the development of infrastructure like labs, digital equipment, electrical equipment through CSR funding from Corporates, Individuals, Non-Resident Indian (NRI) / Person of Indian Origin etc. through voluntarism.
- 5000 centres for coaching through volunteerism to be started in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) across India.
- National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) an integrator for Edutech providing free seats to 25 % of total students belonging to economically & socially weaker sections. Also IDEA Labs with 50% support from Corporates to be promoted in a large way.
The present status of student enrolment in the country is 3.85 crore, spanning across 1043 universities, 42343 colleges, and 11779 standalone institutions. Of these enrolled students, 56.5 lakhs are from SC category, 21.5 lakhs are from ST category and 1.42 crores are from OBC category. The faculty strength to cater to these students is 15 lakh.
(Source AISHE 2019-20)