About Seminar

Indian universities have the potential to fulfil their prime academic objective by being torch bearers in the field of knowledge creation, innovation and creativity provided there is ample flexibility in the administration, management and governance of the universities. The issues of university administration, management and governance have become more pronounced in the present scenario as the universities engagement of with the society has become more focused and intense. In the endeavour to make India, a truly knowledge society and a global knowledge hub, the smooth functioning of universities is a pre-requisite for their sustenance as well as creating a conducive academic environment. Therefore, a synergy is required among all the stakeholders including the university itself, the government, the funding agencies and the regulatory bodies who are at the helm of affairs, to properly manage the otherwise complex system of university administration.

Since universities are creations of the Legislatures (Centre or State), they are caught in an intrinsic web of reciprocal relationship which is subsumed under the all encompassing umbrella term of university – state relations. An array of legislations concerning higher education in India coming in quick succession one after another (NCHER, Foreign Universities Regulation Bill, RUSA to name a few), have once again brought the university – state relations issue to the forefront. The prominent issues associated with university – state relations inter alia are autonomy and accountability, funding and federal relations.

Objectives of the Seminar

• To review the present scenario of University-State Relations

• To highlight the state priority in context of societal needs and aspiration

• To develop a mechanism for synergy amongst the stake holder of higher education

• To chalk out a road make to make Indian Higher Education socially relevant and globally          competitive.

Sub-themes of the Seminar

• Autonomy of the Institution is the sine qua non for quality and accountability

• Reforms in the University’s Governance

• Funding Agencies: Priority of the state and the needs of the universities

• Federal Structure

• Gap in Policies and Practices

• In search of synergy amongst the stake holders of higher education

• Role of state in making Indian universities a world class universities