Institutionalising Community Colleges In India : Dr Latha Pillai, Pro-Vice Chancellor, IGNOU

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June 6, 2009

Community Colleges have been very successful internationally, with atleast 80 big universities of the world running community colleges. Apart from diplomas, these colleges also grant associate degrees as their highest degree, facilitating lateral entry into the regular university system. The Indira Gandhi National Open University, has for the first time, formulated a plan to start such community colleges in India offering its Associate Degree Programme.

Through IGNOU Community Colleges, the effort is to institutionalise the mechanism by offering multiple entry and exit levels with due certification.

Through Community Colleges, the aim is to enhance the pool of skilled labour force, as the largest share of new jobs is likely to come from the unorganised sector, which employees up to 93% of the national work force.

Dr Latha Pillai, Pro-Vice Chancellor, IGNOU,

talks about the new scheme.

Could you elaborate on the concept of Community Colleges?

Institutions which are run `of the community, by the community, and for the community` offering opportunities to all sections of society particularly the marginalised and disadvantaged is the rationale for the establishment of a Community College. It encourages students who may want to attend a three year degree but are not academically, personally or economically ready to begin study in the formal system. In a Community College students can choose to work towards an Associate Degree (two-year) in hundreds of academic and technical fields which will enable them to transfer to a regular college or university for completion of a degree. Alternatively, students may exit with either a Certificate or a Diploma by completing the required number of credits.

How has the evolution of Community Colleges in India been different from that in the West?

In India many non-governmental organisations and training institutions have been offering skill based programmes relevant to community needs at the Certificate and Diploma levels. Similarly, ITI`s and polytechnics offer skill-oriented programmes. Through IGNOU Community Colleges, the effort is to institutionalise the mechanism by offering multiple entry and exit levels with due certification. In the West, particularly in the US and European countries, Community Colleges have been in existence for more than 50 years and have very large and diverse programme offerings. In the US for example the total enrolment in Community Colleges is estimated to be around 12 million. These two-year colleges, the world over are known as `technical colleges`, `junior colleges`, `fachhochschulea` or folk high schools, `workers colleges` and `short-cycle institutions`.

Could you elaborate on the IGNOU scheme of Associate Degree Program through Community Colleges? What are the objectives and goals that IGNOU has set for itself, while launching such a niche programme?

IGNOU, through its Community Colleges aims to enhance the pool of skilled labour force as the largest share of new jobs is likely to come from the unorganised sector which employ up to 93% of the national work force. Most reports project that only 5% of the Indian labour force in the age group of 20-24 years have obtained vocational skills through formal means. In comparison, industrialised countries have 60%-96%. Community Colleges will help us bridge this large gap.

The scheme of Associate Degree will be flexible in terms of programme delivery, i.e. either exclusively face-to-face or blended learning, full time or part time. The programme will provide for an exit at the Certificate, Diploma and Associate Degree level. All programmes will have compulsory industry/community linkages for practical and applied components. On completion of the Associate Degree interested students will have the option of moving into the 3rd year of the degree programme.

Any new initiative that IGNOU plans to take up in the future?

IGNOU plans to create a formal mechanism which provides for certification of prior learning so that the skills available with workforce may be assessed, given due recognition and avenues for life long learning are created. IGNOU also plans to enhance its competencies in providing technology-enabled learning and strengthening student support services through proper monitoring and timely response.

What has been the reason for the relatively late entry and recognition of Community Colleges in India?

As mentioned earlier, some institutions have in a limited way been performing the functions of a Community College. The emphasis hitherto has been on `acquiring degrees` and now with the emphasis on skills – both life and work skills – the educational system is responding to this need.

What do you think is the future of Community Colleges in India?

India has the largest share of youth population which need to be channelised into diverse and multi-level occupational areas. The increased emphasis on targeting 2-tier and 3-tier cities for development necessitates tapping the local talent and skill for community specific trades and occupations. A proper blend of theory and practice oriented curriculum will help bring a revolutionary change in job preferences and workforce training. Community Colleges will thus cater to a number of skill based jobs in areas such as agriculture, health, law, computer technologies and nursing.

Globalising Community College Experience : John Halder, Community Colleges for International Development

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June 6, 2009

Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) was established in 1976 to strengthen the community college system worldwide by partnering with education ministries and higher education organisations in various countries. It also conducts professional development and special training programmes to member colleges. At present it has the membership of 170 colleges, of which 31 are located outside the US.

CCID President John Halder in conversation with the Digital Learning.

In India, the community college movement needs to be integrated more fully into the higher education structure, rather than being stand-alone. Any efforts in that direction would greatly benefit students

Please tell us about the mission behind the establishment of Community Colleges for International Development (CCID).

CCID was established 33 years ago by a group of visionary community college presidents. In 1976, when most community colleges in the United States were less than ten years old, to have a global vision and reach was extremely unusual. Dr. Maxwell King, President of Brevard Community College, Florida understood the potential for community colleges in this regard, and established CCID.

In the early days CCID undertook some development work in Suriname and Taiwan. Over the years a conference was added, and then a summer meeting and the board of directors was expanded. Today CCID comprises almost 170 colleges of which 31 are located outside the United States. It is governed by a board of 25, who are college presidents.

`The mission of CCID is to provide opportunities for building global relationships that strengthen educational programmes, and promote economic development.` We undertake this by continuing to work with Ministries of Education and Higher Education organisations world-wide. CCID also manages study abroad programmes, professional development activities, special training programmes on international topics, conferences and meetings, all with the goal of globalising the member colleges and their students, teachers and staff.

What kind of involvement has CCID had in the Asian region, particularly India?

CCID has been engaged with India since our earliest days. A Brevard Community College teacher, Dr. Seymour Fersh had been the Director of the Asia Society prior to going to India as a Fulbright Scholar in the 1970`s. Following this CCID hosted Indian education delegations sponsored by the World Bank, the University Grants Commission and the Archbishop of Madras. The latter led to a longer relationship with Tamil Nadu and a number of colleges and organisations there. CCID colleges such as Eastern Iowa Community College District and Sinclair Community College, Ohio, have engaged in long and fulfilling projects, and through CCID have linked those projects to other CCID colleges. Through these initiatives Sinclair assisted with establishing the Center for Vocational Education in Madras, which later became the Madras Community College

New Training scheme launch by Communications Minister

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June 5, 2009

Thousands of unemployed youth will benefit from a newly-launched government training scheme, Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda said on Tuesday. He was speaking at the official launch of the scheme, known as e-Cadre, in Rustenburg in North West. The programme was a multi-pronged approach offering information and communications technology (ICT) skills training and life orientation to young people, said Nyanda. About 350 information technology graduates have been recruited since the programme was identified as a flagship of the communications department in 2007.

The programme, conducted in partnership with the National Youth Service and 15 Further Education and Training (FET) colleges, has three phases, formal training, service deployment and an exit strategy. The first phase of the programme was concluded last year with the training of 765 young matriculants in the International Computers Drivers Licence through the 15 FET colleges. This figure covered the tuition and assessment fees for the training, life orientation module, stipend and travelling and accommodation fees. The process of recruiting participants takes into consideration gender and disability. Young people from both rural and urban areas are welcome.

Kids Tuition take away one-third of families income

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June 5, 2009

Parents in middle-class families spend one-third of income on the private tuition of their children, industry body Assocham said on Friday. 'Private tuitions have witnessed a steep increase of about 40-45 % in the last few years as middle class parents have been spending nearly one-third of their monthly incomes on them,' said the chamber. According to an Assocham survey of about 5,000 students and parents, teachers are charging tuition fees ranging between INR 300 and INR 800 an hour. Nearly 60 % of middle-class parents with two school-going children and having an average monthly salary of INR 25,000 spend about INR 8,000 per month on tuition.

'Many schools conveniently push the ball back to parents, to tell them to engage private tutors for their kids. This is a serious failure in the education system,' said Assocham secretary-general D S Rawat. The pressure to perform well in examinations is not the only reason why parents seek private tutors, the survey said, adding that tuition is more a consequence of the 'exam phobia' that has gripped the country in the past five-seven years. It was explained that many tutors are full-time school teachers and they charge thousands of rupees per subject for teaching only one subject for a period of two to three months. Since tuitions provide easy money, teachers have opened their own academies where students are trapped in the vicious circle of tuitions.

DU signs MoU with 5 companies for industry oriented courses

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June 5, 2009

After collaborating with Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in the past for short-term professional courses, < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Delhi University's Campus of Open Learning (COL) has signed separate MoUs with five companies to start new professional and industry-oriented courses. The initiative was taken to 'fill the skill gap' between college education and industry needs. The MoU were signed between representatives of respective companies and the University registrar, in the presence of top DU officials, including vice-chancellor Deepak Pental, COL director Savita Datta and Students' Welfare dean S K Vij. 'We are very serious about this because the industry tells us that thousands of jobs go waste because of lack of properly trained and skilled workforce,' said Professor Pental, while interacting with industry representatives. He stressed on University's desire to ensure that students get the required skills for the market through the new courses.

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'The idea is not only to sign MoU but to work on the abilities of our students,' he said. He also mentioned DU's efforts in this regard, 'Our new SOL building will come up in a year or two and that will have skill development facilities.' Vij also appealed to the students of regular colleges to take up these courses. The five MoUs have been signed with Centum Learning for a course in telecom sales and service, HCL Infosystems for a course in IT and web designing, Bird Academy for courses in travel and tourism, Masscomedia for mass communication and RK Films for radio jockeying and broadcasting.

Proposals for 2,046 new colleges received at

Higher Education

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June 5, 2009

Universities from across the state of Maharashtra have proposed to the higher education department to start 2,046 new colleges across the state. 'We have submitted these proposals to the government for consideration,' said R. V. Kirdak, director of higher education, government of Maharashtra. But all the proposals are not likely to be sanctioned. Each division under a particular faculty in a college can have 120 seats.

This year around 11,84,000 students from Maharashtra appeared for HSC, of which 2,64,063 have taken the exams from the Mumbai division. 'Final decision will be taken by the government as per the need and demand,' added Kirdak. Under Mumbai University, proposals for setting up new colleges as well as additional divisions for 2009-10 add up to 28,254 seats. 145 proposals for new colleges have been made, amounting to 17,371 seats.

Students ecouraged to consider career in IT sector

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June 5, 2009

Canadian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) players have formulated an encouragement program that pursues high school students to buck the recession and consider careers in IT sector. The companies hope to avoid shortage of skilled workforce that could impact the tech sector and negatively affect the Canadian economy. In < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Ottawa, tech mentors from IBM Canada Ltd., Macadamian Technologies Inc., and Nortel (News – Alert) have worked with the first crop of 48 students in a high school pilot program. They aim to double their attendance next year and expand it to other cities as well. OCRI has partnered in a pilot program called 'The Ottawa High School Technology Program' and delivered seven experts from three companies to tutor high school student participants and work with them in hands-on labs at industry sites and in their classrooms and share expert computer skills.

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OCRI is the Ottawa's economic development agency and is the rallying point to bring business, education, research and talent together to create the winning economic conditions that allow Ottawa's knowledge-based companies to thrive locally and compete globally. This program was created to address the declining enrollment in post-secondary technology courses, to inspire students to pursue ICT careers before their senior year courses are locked in and to keep the city of Ottawa as a technology leader. After implementing a lot of initiative programs for high school students it became clear that the programs with the greatest impact on the students were the ones that allowed them to explore leading edge technology under the mentorship of industry experts. And this kind of technological interaction with professionals will only help students thrive in college and university technology courses instead of hitting a wall for lack of these skills. Recent surveys have indicated that negative perceptions of the tech sector following the bubble burst of 2002 and students disinterest in IT programs in Universities across Canada have the potential to make a situation where more than 90,000 jobs in the IT sector had to be filled in the next two to four years and if they remain unfilled it might affect the Canadian economy to a tune of $10.8 billion.

Mayawati’s scholarship scheme to benefit more girls

Policy Matters

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June 5, 2009

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Friday decided to include married girls in a scholarship scheme for female students from poor families. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet here, an official spokesman told sources. The scheme provides for disbursement of INR 15,000 to girls studying in class 11 and INR10,000 to those in class 12. They also receive a bicycle from the government. So far the benefit was available only to unmarried girl students from below-poverty line families.

The cabinet also decided to extend the ambit of a scheme aimed at discouraging female infanticide. 'While an ex-gratia amount of INR 20,000 was so far payable only to the parents of a newborn girl child only in families bearing the BPL card, the facility would now be available also to other poor people categorised as holders of the Antyodaya card,' said the spokesman. He said, 'The decision would increase the number of beneficiaries by 30 %.'

Soon a policy to tackle racial discrimination abroad

Policy Matters

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June 5, 2009

The central government would soon formulate a policy to deal with racial discrimination against Indians abroad, told Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur on Saturday. Arriving in her hometown Patiala for the first time after being inducted in the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Preneet Kaur expressed concern at the plight of students from India who have been facing racist attacks in Australia for about a month now.

She said, 'We have taken up the matter at various levels with the Australian government. Even the prime minister has spoken to his Australian counterpart. We want that the dignity of Indians is maintained in other countries.' There have been nearly a dozen attacks on Indian students in Melbourne and other places in Australia in recent weeks, leading to protests there by Indian students. The families of students studying there have also expressed concern. Nearly half of the 90,000-odd Indian students studying in various educational institutions in Australia are from Punjab alone. The education immigration business from India is said to be worth Rs.100 billion (INR10,000 crore).

Indian Music Industry urges young students to follow their Dreams

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June 5, 2009

Dr. Palash Sen, lead vocalist of Euphoria and along with Saurabh Saxena, Director of Mexus Education launched 'Follow Your Dreams' a commemorative compilation album in support of the 'I Pledge to Stop Student Suicides' movement. This album comprises of nine songs, by some of the biggest contemporary Indian artists like Euphoria, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Kailash Kher amongst others. While launching the 'Follow Your Dreams' album Dr. Palash Sen, Lead Vocalist, Euphoria said, 'Through the 'I Pledge to Stop Student Suicides' initiative, we want to help all those who have a dream, but don't have a hand to guide them. I believe life is a blessing and it should not be wasted or given up easily. I believe students are the architects of India's future and they need to be cared about. This album is meant to inspire students and create awareness amongst everyone who plays an important part in shaping a young life during these formative years.'

Speaking at the launch, Saurabh Saxena, Director, Mexus Education, said, 'The moment we came to know about this initiative, we knew we had to be a part of it. We have always advocated de-stressing education and incorporating new methods of learning into our system which will help in identifying the student's areas of interest and talent. Through this album, we wish to share a message of love, hope, positive outlook towards life while motivating the students to never give up and follow their dreams. It is a very noble initiative and we at Mexus Education are glad that we have tried to do our bit for the students.' 'Follow Your Dreams' would be distributed pan India through Mexus Education's existing network of around 1200 schools to students, parents and teachers and will also be made available as a free download on www.iken.in. 1000 limited edition CD's will be available for free at Iken stores across the country. The artists supporting the cause will also distribute the album at their concerts and public appearances.

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