 |
|
| EDUCATION TRIBUNE |
|
Assessing
institutions Guidelines
to check misleading ads soon Campus
Notes n
Admission notice
|
|
|
Assessing institutions EDUCATION is the most critical sector in a knowledge economy and that is why India is in the process of introducing reforms. Ensuring good quality education in colleges through an objective system of assessment is thus vital. Each year, publishing houses engage reputed experts and use their findings of ‘India’s Best Colleges’ in their magazines during May/June. While the purpose of making this data, information and knowledge available to general public is laudable, the quality parameters selected and methodology adopted leading to the ranking leaves much to be desired. It is easy to understand that the publisher and the institution concerned get the maximum benefit of this exercise, they can’t careless about the impact any such misinformation or exaggerated and biased information has on the real stakeholders—the students and the parents. The first relevant question to be answered is: What is the meaning of quality in terms of education? Quality as applied to any product or service conveys lack of defects, long-term dependability and reliability. Essentially, the quality standard of any education system must be derived from an informed vision, a policy that fits in the needs of a particular society. Quality in education must ensure understanding what a student wants and providing that consistently and reliably. Quality education must develop the ability of students to think logically, analytically and critically and support them to earn an honourable living. There may be vast gaps in the perception of the education-provider and the student/employer/society. Hence, the need of setting some standards as part of policy and measure of quality seen as conformance to those standards or benchmark. Policy documents refer to quality in very vague terms and leave ambiguity in assessment of institutions, whether by private organisations or by UGC-backed National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), as they apply quality parameters based on their own perceptions. For example, NAAC uses seven criteria, curricular aspects, teaching-learning and evaluation, research, consultancy and extension, infrastructure and learning resources, student support and progression, organisation and management and healthy practices. Most private organisations use different variants of NAAC model and use parameters like reputation of the college, quality of academic input, student facilities, infrastructure and job opportunities. All over the world, hundreds of external quality assurance agencies assess and rate higher education institutions based on parameters designed by them to suit the specific needs. This type of approach has created a lot of confusion in the minds of the end-users. Though the aim of any assessment is to improve the quality, institutions volunteer for assessment more out of fear than their concern for knowing what to improve. Some factors that must be kept in mind to improve objectivity in assessment of colleges are: There is no need to grade an institution, if the aim is only to improve the quality of education. There are a number of implications of rating, for one, it puts an institution in a particular bracket or category. Unhealthy rivalry among institutions ranked higher or lower, in the same location, is the direct outcome of rating practice. Reputation that a college enjoys at regional or national level is an extremely subjective parameter. Institutions with glorious past and eminent alumni are able to manipulate the results in their favour because of their aura. Such institutions must be assessed by specially selected academicians known for their professional integrity. Assessment should also be based on the expertise an institution has in a particular subjects of study. A college may not be well known but may have excellent faculty and a good academic record in a particular subject. However, excellence in that subject often goes unrecognised as the college does not get very good grading. The assessing agency must not give more value than is due to the institutional context over the academic context. The assessing team often gets unduly impressed with huge buildings, laboratories, playgrounds, libraries, etc. Emphasis is generally laid on the number of research scholars and authors an institution has. Admittedly, every teacher must make efforts towards professional growth and must carry out research. However, it is unreasonable to infer that a teacher, who has more number of research papers to his/her credit, is a better teacher. This bias needs to be corrected. The quality of education in any institution is related to its physical infrastructure and quality of administration, but a well-administered college will provide better quality education does not always hold good. Since assessment is a human process, the average drawn by taking into account the rating of all people involved in assessing may not turn out to be the true reflection of the quality of an institution. Some vital aspects of teaching often get neglected. The recruitment of teachers is done based on many other considerations than merit alone. How does one assess the quality of teachers? Do teachers recognise that they need to update themselves on a regular basis? How many classes, out of the UGC specified 180 in a year, does the teacher take? What is the attendance of students in a particular teacher’s class? With hundreds of new institutions of higher learning to come through in the coming years, a serious effort must be made to evolve a more realistic and objective system.
|
|
|
Guidelines to check misleading ads soon TALL claims made by mushrooming educational institutes and universities will soon come under the scanner of advertising industry watchdog ASCI, which is working on formulating a set of guidelines to check such misleading campaigns. After setting up norms for advertisements in food and beverages and automobile sectors, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) is now looking to crack down on claims such as “the Number One” private university or “We are the best prepare you for the IIMs”, which are unsubstantiated. “We have been receiving a number of complaints pertaining to advertisements in the education sector. We see a lot of claims made by institutions, which may mislead students and parents. So the ASCI has decided to formulate a set of guidelines for the same,” ASCI General Secretary Alan Collaco told PTI. ASCI will soon hold meetings of its key members with an intention to finalise the new guidelines within the next 4-5 months, he added. When asked about the nature of complaints being received by ASCI, Collaco said: “There are many institutes and universities which claim to be ‘Number One’, or they advertise saying that ‘We are the best prepare you for the IIMs’ and other similar claims. These claims may or may not be fair, but they definitely mislead people,” he said. Such complaints are coming from individuals as well as from people within the sector. According to industry estimates, during the first six months of 2010, the education sector topped the chart in print advertising, leaving behind heavyweights such as FMCG and auto, according to TAM data. The top advertisers on TV and print in the first half of the current year includes Planman Consultant India, Educomp Solutions, Lovely Professional University, Manipal Group, Career Point, Vellore Institute Of Technology and NIIT.
— PTI
|
|
|
Campus Notes THE need to connect the microbial technology for the welfare of mankind was reiterated in a one-day colloquium organised by the MDU's Faculty of Life Sciences in collaboration with the Association of Microbiologists of India at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) recently. The chief guest of the colloquium, H. S. Chahal, Vice-Chancellor, Deen Bandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal (Sonepat), said there were immense opportunities and scope for research in biotechnology and microbial technology. In his address, the MDU Vice-Chancellor threw light on the expansion plans of the university in the area of life sciences. Eminent teachers, including Prof. R.C. Kuhad, Prof. Rup Lal, Prof. A.K. Panda, Prof. James Gomes, Prof. V.C. Kalia and Prof. A.K. Saxena, took part in the tutorial and highlighted various aspects of microbial technology. The host of the colloquium, Prof. S. K. Gakhar, Director, Centre for Biotechnology, delivered the welcome address and explained the backdrop of the colloquium. Earlier, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof. S.N. Mishra, in his address, briefed about the developmental plans of the faculty. Admission notice The university has issued the admission notice for M.Phil, pre-Ph.D programmes and University Research Scholarship (URS) for the session 2010-2011. According to a university spokesperson, the details of the programames have also been made available on the university website, www.mdurohtak.com. The prospectus will be available at the Publications Cell of the university. Applications forms can also be downloaded from the university website. The last date for the submission of application form in this regard is August 27, 2010, the university spokesperson said. Optimisation workshop A five-day workshop on "Modelling, Optimisation and their Application" will be held here from August 17-21. According to Prof. S.C. Malik, co-ordinator of the workshop, topics like mathematical programming, reliability, survival analysis, inventory models, total quality management, queuing models, regression models, inferences in stochastic processes and optimisation techniques will be discussed in the workshop. He said eminent scholars would deliver lectures during the workshop, which was being sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of Government of India. Pt B. D. Sharma Health University, Rohtak Moving forward to achieve goals in mission excellence, the Department of Cardiac Surgery recently performed a complex mitral valve (MV) repair for ischemic mitral regurgitation. MV repair is a highly skilled surgery requiring mystical and esoteric skills and thus performed only at few reputed centers. PGIMS, Rohtak, a leading centre in the country, has been performing MV repair for the last two years for rheumatic valvular heart disease. MV repair in ischemic heart disease is the challenging one due to decrease blood supply to the heart. This catastrophic complication in ischemic heart disease is usually found in 20 per cent patients suffering from this disease. The usual treatment for this problem is coronary artery bypass surgery along with mitral annuloplasty/MV replacement. According to authorities, the surgery was performed by Dr S. S. Lohchab, Senior Professor, Cardiac Surgery, and his team on a 65-year-old male patient. — Contributed by Bijendra Ahlawat
|
| HOME PAGE |
Admission Deadline Armed Forces Medical
Services (DGAFMS / Dental), Room No. 9, ‘L’ Block, M/o Defence,
New Delhi 110001 Short Service Commission in Army Dental Corps Eligibility: Indian,
BDS (55%) / MDS. 1 year rotatory internship, medically fit,
Permanent Dental Registration Certificate Selection: Merit in BDS, Medical Exam, SSB Interview. Application Form: Send in prescribed format with required documents, a self-addressed postcard and a stamped (Rs.6/-) self-addressed envelope (23 cm x 10 cm) to the Director General at the above address / Download from website. Details: Employment News (31 July – 06 August 2010) / Website Application Deadline: 31 August 2010 Territorial Army,
Integrated HQ of MoD (Army), ‘L’ Block, New Delhi 110001 Officer in Territorial Army Eligibility: Medically
fit, employed Indian male graduates. Selection: SSB Interview & Medical Test Application Form: Send Rs 10/- by PO favouring "TA Gp Commander" with stamped (Rs 12/-), self-addressed envelope (28 cm x 12 cm) and bio-data to the respective Group Head Quarters (For Delhi: Commander, TA Group HQ Western Command, Building No 750, Sector-8B, Chandigarh 160018) / Download from website. Details: Employment News (31 July – 06 August 2010) / Website Application Deadline: 15 September 2010 Engineering National Institute
of Secondary Steel Technology, Post Box No 92, GT Road, Sirhind
Side, Mandi Gobindgarh 147301 (Punj) (M/o Steel, GoI) Job-Oriented Certificate course on Rolling / Steel Making Technology (18 months) Eligibility: 10+2 (PCM); Diploma in Mechanical / Metallurgy / BSc preferred. Application Form: Send Rs 400/- by DD favouring "NISST, Mandi Gobindgarh / Kolkata / Nagpur," to the respective centres / Download from website Details: Employment News (31 July – 06 August 2010) / Website Application Deadline: 30 August 2010 National Power
Training Institute (WR), South Ambazari Road, Gopal Nagar, Nagpur
440022 (Mah) Course on: "Operation & Maintenance of Transmission & Distribution Systems" (26 weeks) Eligibility:
BE / BTech (Electrical Engg / Electrical ad Electronics Engg /
Electrical Engg & Electrical Power) Selection: Merit (% of marks). Application Form: Send application in prescribed format with required documents, Rs 400/ - by DD favouring "NPTI," payable at Nagpur with a self-addressed envelope (5" x 10"), to the Principal Director at the above address / Download from website. Details: Employment News (31 July – 06 August 2010) / Website Application Deadline: 20 August 2010 Institution of
Permanent Way Engineers (India), G-11, Rail Bhawan, Raisina Road,
New Delhi 110001 (M/o Railways) Diploma in Railway Engg (1 year, correspondence) Eligibility: 3 year diploma in Engg / BSc (with Maths & Science in 10+2) / BE / BTech Application Form: Send Rs 100/- by DD favoring of "IPWE (India)" payable at New Delhi with stamped (Rs 15/-), self-addressed envelope (25 cm x 15 cm) to the above address / Download from website. Details: Employment News (24 - 30 July 2010) / Website Application Deadline: 31 August 2010 Finance The Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India, ICAI Bhawan, Indraprastha Marg,
New Delhi 110002 Exams: Exam:
1) 08 – 22 November 2010 Application
Deadline: For 1: 26
August 2010 Hotel Mgmt Maharshi Dayanand
University, Institute of Hotel &Tourism Management, Rohtak (Har) 1) Master of
Tourism Mgmt / Hotel Mgmt Selection: GD & Interview: 27 August ‘10 Application Form: Send Rs 500/- by DD favouring "Finance Officer, MD University, Rohtak", payable at Rohtak at the above address / Download from website. Details: Website Application Deadline: 25 August 2010 Management Indian Institute of
Materials Management, SCO 19-B, 2nd Floor, Swastik
Vihar, Mansa Devi Complex, Panchkula 134113 (Har) 1) Graduate Diploma in Materials Mgmt (2 years, Full Time / 3 years, Distance) 2) PG Diploma in Materials Mgmt (3 years, Distance) Eligibility: For
1: Diploma in Engg / any degree Selection: Entrance Test: 22 August 2010 Application Form & Details: Website. Application Deadline: 21 August 2010 Recruitment UCO Bank, Head
Office, Personnel Services Department, 3-4 DD Block, Sector I,
Salt Lake, Kolkata 700064 (WB) Recruitment in Clerical Cadre (447 posts) Eligibility:
Bachelors Degree / Class 12 (60%) Exam: 14 November 2010 Application Form: Apply online Details: Employment News (31 July – 06 August 2010) / Website. Application Deadline: 28 August 2010 Scholarships Indian Council of
Medical Research (ICMR), Scientist ‘D’ (Hindi Publications)
Ramalingaswami Bhawan, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029 ICMR Puraskar for Popular Medical Books in Hindi for the biennium 2008-2009 Eligibility: Those
books, on medical or health topics, in Hindi which are original
work of the author. The book can be written by one or maximum two
authors, who have reasonably sound knowledge in bio-medical and
health sciences fields. Award: First Prize - Rs 50, 000/- Second Prize – Rs. 30, 000/- Third Prize – Rs. 20, 000/- Application Form: Download from website. Details: Website. Application Deadline: 31 August 2010 State Institute of
Education, Sector 32C, Chandigarh (Punj) 1) National
Talent Search Exam (NTSE-2011) Eligibility:
Class VIII students in Govt, local body and private aided schools
only Selection: Exam: 21 November 2010 Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 31 August 2010 Indian National
Science Academy, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002 Deputation of India
Scientists Abroad under Bilateral Exchange Programme 2011-12 Eligibility:
Outstanding Scientists and Researchers holding PhD degree and
holding regular positions in recognized S&T institutions or
universities and actively engaged in research in the field of
Science including Engg / Medical / Agriculture. Application Deadline: 15 October 2010 Ministry of Youth
Affairs & Sports, Department of Youth Affairs, Room No 517, C
Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110001 (M/o Environment &
Forests, GoI) Financial Assistance
under scheme relating to Talent Search and Training Eligibility: Sportspersons:
Those who have either equaled or excelled the existing National
Record / Gold Medalists of last National Championship / Medalist
of Asian Games/ Commonwealth Games/Olympic Games/World
Championship in the relevant category, i.e. Senior/Junior/Sub–Junior
in Sports disciplines covered under ‘Priority’ and ‘General’
category / For team events assistance will be provided based on an
objective assessment of the performance in the National
Championships Scholarship: Rs. 5 lakhs Application & other Details: Website Application Deadline: 25 August 2010 Directorate of
Education, Govt of NCT of Delhi, Science & TV Branch, Lajpat
Nagar IV, New Delhi 110024 1) National
Talent Search Exam (NTSE-2010) Eligibility:
Class VIII students in Govt & recognised schools including KVS,
JNV, NDMC, MCD etc Selection: Exam: For 1: 21 November 2010 Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 09 September 2010 The Charles Wallace
India Trust, Centres and Programmes Office, School of Oriental
& African Studies, University of London, Thornhaugh Street,
Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG, UK Charles Wallace
India Fellowship Eligibility:
Indian citizens with good working knowledge of English (both
written and spoken) working in the fields of Indian Studies of
Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences which are supported at SOAS. Fellowship: Monthly accommodation and living grant, at present £1,250 for up to 3 months and international economy return air fare to India. Application Form & Details: Website. Application Deadline: 31 August 2010 Sciences Physical Saha Institute of
Nuclear Physics, Sector 1, Block AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064
(WB) (D/ o Atomic Energy, GoI) Undergraduate Associateship in Physics & Biophysical Sciences Eligibility: Year 1 & 2 of Science at UG level; BSc / Integrated MSc in (Phys / Chem / Biological Sciences) with minimum 85% in Science & Maths in Class 12 + 80% agg. Selection: Interview Stipend: Rs 150/- per day + Book Grant: Rs. 6,000/- pa + travel allowance for outstation UG students Details & Application Form: Website Application Deadline: 31 August 2010 Travel & Transportation Institute of Rail
Transport, Room No 17, Rail Bhavan, Raisina Road, New Delhi 110001 Correspondence
Course on Multi-Modal Transport (Containerization) & Logistics
Mgmt (1 year) Eligibility: Bachelors degree / Diploma Application Form: Send Rs 100/- (per course) by DD favouring "Institute of Rail Transport", payable at New Delhi with stamped (Rs 15/-), self-addressed envelope (11" x 5") to the above address. Write your name and address on reverse of DD. Details: Employment News (31 July – 06 August 2010) / Website Application Deadline: 31 August 2010 University Maharishi
Markandeshwar, Mullana, Ambala 133207 (Punj) MPhil: Physics / English / Chemistry / Mgmt / Maths / Commerce / Computer Sc Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 31 August 2010 Guru Jambheshwar
University, Directorate of Distance Education, Hisar 125001 (Har) 1) PGDCA / MCA (1st
year) Application Form: Send Rs 450/- by DD favouring "Registrar, GJUS & T, Hisar" to the above address / Download from website. Details: Website. Application Deadline: For 1 – 5: 31 August 2010 For 6 – 17: 31 October 2010 Kurukshetra
University, Directorate of Distance Education, Kurukshetra 136119
(Har) Traditional Courses Application Form: Send Rs. 450/- by DD favouring "Registrar, Kurukshetra University," payable at Kurukshetra with two self-addressed slips to the above address / Download from website. Details: Website Application Deadline: 17 September 2010 Anna University,
Directorate of Online & Distance Education, Academic Campus,
Jothipuram, Coimbatore 641013 (TN) 1) MBA
(Airline & Airport Mgt / Banking, Insurance & Financial
Services / Financial Mgt / General Mgt / Healthcare & Hospital
Mgt / HR Mgt / International Business Mgt / Marketing Mgt /
Software Enterprise Mgt / Telecom Mgt), 2 years) Eligibility: For 2: Bachelors degree with Maths in 10+2; Maths / Stats / Computer-oriented subject at Degree level. For 3: BSc
(Maths / Computer Sc / IT / Software Engg / Electronics / Physics
/ Applied Sc / Computer Tech / Computer System Maintenance &
Networking) / BCA Application Deadline: 16 August 2010 Panjab University,
University School of Open Learning, Chandigarh 160014 (Punj) UG & PG Courses Application Form: Send Rs 350/- by DD favouring "Registrar, PU, Chandigarh," payable at Chandigarh at the above address / Download from website. Details: Website Application Deadline: 07 September 2010 Pervin Malhotra,
|
D.S.
Cheema