Save the educational 'navaratnas'

If the HRD ministry manages to get its way, here's a sample of what could happen. Any large capital expenditure will require government approval (not merely the governing board's approval), even if the institute could raise its own resources for this, seriously affecting the institutes' growth and development, in increasing the number of seats or in establishing centres in other cities or overseas. The institutes would need government's approval for any academic collaboration with institutions abroad, thereby weakening the negotiating position of our institutions in relation to overseas institutions. Even the admissions process of whether group discussions are held or not, would require the ministry's approval!

The ministry says the institutes can still enjoy 'academic freedom'. But can academic freedom to pursue academic excellence thrive in such an environment?

As for social obligations, no deserving student has been denied admission because of lack of funds. SC/ST quotas are adhered to. No capitation fees are charged. If the Government feels that the institutes must contribute more than they already are (and they do contribute a lot) to development and policy issues, let them make funding conditional to that. The Institutes will be happy to oblige.

The recent leak of the CAT paper was unfortunate. After an unblemished record of 25 years (and a continuous resistance to any pressure from the powerful and the influential), there was one failure. The processes to protect the integrity of the system are phenomenal - transparent for anyone who cares to check. Will a take over by the Government increase CAT's credibility in the eyes of the nation? Can we do an opinion poll among CAT 'customers' to check this?

In conclusion, we urge alumni who have benefited enormously from such institutions, and the Governing Boards comprising people of outstanding credentials, and, indeed, all concerned citizens, to come together and speak with one voice, against regressive policies concerning institutions of educational excellence. Is there a third option, better than confrontation or giving in?

Co-authored with
Ashoke Bijapurkar