The data collected on higher education is being collated by the University Grants Commission, which is to help in framing academic policies for the future. At the same time, the Union human resource ministry has also constituted a task force to conduct an all India survey on higher education. It will submit its report to the ministry in two months. UGC has sought details from all universities and colleges in the country asking for details of the examination results in recent years, number of foreign students enrolled in their institutions and figures relating to the doctorate degrees and MPhil degrees awarded to research scholars during 2008-09 in different subjects of study. The apex body has issued a proforma to all universities and colleges. In the meantime, the UGC is also updating its directory of professors.
The mandate for the task force includes exploring the mechanism of conducting an all-India survey on higher education, identifying the implementation agency to conduct the survey, preparing the modalities to conduct the survey and subsequently monitoring its implementation. After compiling the data and analysing it, the task force would give its recommendations to the ministry. The task force will have total 13 members on its panel. It will include additional secretary of the ministry, UGC secretary, AICTE member secretary and the vice-chancellor of the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) among others.
