Meta University in India from 2012-13

November 18: Here comes another initiation from the Government of India. The central government is planning to establish a Meta University which will allow flexibility in choosing the subjects and curriculum. The concept if implemented is likely to offer more choice to students in pursuing higher education. Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh has recently announced that the Government will set up a meta university to benefit the students in selecting combinations of their choice at higher education level.

The National Innovation Council (NIC), headed by Sam Pitroda, who has been advocating for reforms in higher education for a long time, has suggested the concept and design of Meta - University. The University will enable a student of fashion technology in National Institute of Fashion Technology at Hyderabad to take up a course in comparative literature at Jadavpur University, Kolkata. The system is likely to enhance the creativity of the students with diverse interests and career aspirations.

Key members of the NIC have announced that proposed Meta University will offer Degrees and most likely to start operations from next academic year (2012-13). The Meta University will initially offer courses in Delhi -based institutions such as Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the University of Delhi (DU)and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to offer diverse courses to their students. The NIC and MHRD are jointly working on the modalities to be framed to operationalise the proposal.

The Meta University system is likely to benefit students with creative bent of mind and with different interests and thoughts. Present rules and regulations do not allow students who registered at one university to pursue another course at another institute. Student Exchange programmes will allow this practice to some extent but do not offer different courses. The Meta University concept is said to be very much similar to the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (ASIR). This is a recent virtual university concept proposed by CSIR. This allows CSIR to offer various courses, degrees and diplomas to Graduates without registration at any university or institute. The entire concept of ASIR is based on internet connectivity.

Related Posts