Brainstorming session on "Higher Education at Crossroads"

Indian Institute of Public Administration, J&K Regional Branch organized a brain storming session on “Higher Education at Crossroads” as a prelude conference on the theme chosen by the IIPA for Annual Members Conference being held later this month at New Delhi. The following speakers were invited to deliberate on the subject - Prof Lokesh Verma, Dept. of Educational Studies, Central University of Jammu, Prof Mubarak Singh, Dean Dept. of Education, University of Jammu, Prof Renu Nanda HoD Dept. of Education, University of Jammu, Prof Darshana Sharma, Professor of Education, Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu, Prof Rajiv Rattan, Dept. of Education, University of Jammu, Dr J.S.Warwal, Sr. Assistant Professor of Education, Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu, Dr J.N.Baliya, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Educational Studies, Central University of Jammu, Maj Gen (Retd.) S.K.Sharma, AVSM Principal of Model Institute of Engineering and Technology, Dr Kaushal Smotra, Principal, Govt. College of Education, Jammu, Dr Madhu Singh, Principal, M.C.Khalsa College of Education, Jammu , Prof Twinkle Suri, HoD, Functional English, Govt. MAM College, Jammu

The panelists made key observations on higher education which is at crossroads and emphasized the need for greater autonomy and financial independence of institutes in higher education. They proposed that To make higher education vibrant in today's knowledge and information based society, the system must become global competitive so as to enable the youth to compete at the global level. Also the system should be capable to creating knowledge which can be put into practice and has social relevance. Also the focal agenda of Higher education is the holistic development of students’ personality. They were of the opinion that there is a need to change the paradigm of research to include more field based and socially relevant studies which can help to put the research findings into practice. There is also the need to establish stronger public private partnerships and to integrate foundational and secondary education with the higher education.

The function was attended by representatives of public and private institutes of higher education, members of IIPA and civil society. Er. J B S Johar, Hony Secretary, IIPA presented the formal welcome address, Prof Alka Sharma, Director (Seminars), IIPA created the foundation for the discussion and Dr. Anil Gupta, Joint Secretary, IIPA presented the formal vote of thanks and Dr Komal Nagar Joint Director Seminars, IIPA coordinated the proceedings.