IIMs shall be forerunners in developing world class education system in the country. This was stressed by the Union Minister of Human Resource Development Shri Prakash Javadkar during an interaction with the Press after the meeting with Chairpersons and Directors of IIMs in Shillong today. He said that few important decisions have been taken during the meeting to cater to the increasing demands of quality education in the country. Firstly, IIMs will submit plans for expansion of their intake capacity, so that more students get opportunity to enroll themselves in the best institutes. Directors of IIMs pondered upon the possibility of the extent of increasing the intake capacity in their respective institutes and assured of submitting the proposals at the earliest. The Union HRD Minister also said that possibility of expansion of Doctoral programmes was discussed. The Union Minister expressed that creating more quality Ph.D programmes will address the issue of shortage of faculties in institutes. And for creating more PhDs, the Minister said that, better avenues of fellowship will be offered to willing candidates. The Minister also said that in line with the IIT Council, where it has been decided to award PM’s scholarship for Ph.D programme, government approval will be sought for PM’s scholarship for best of PhD scholars in IIMs. Final decision in this regard will be taken with Cabinet approval, the Minister said.
Also, it was decided that IIMs will participate in a new initiative of government to make 20 world class universities/institutes. Of these 20 world class institutes that the government wishes to build, 10 institutes will be in government sector and 10 in private sector. IIMs will actively participate in creating contents for SWAYAM which is an Information Technology platform hosting Open Online Courses and will provide high quality education on various subjects from 9 to Under Graduate and Post Graduate students -- covering all disciplines. SWAYAM is a free course which can be availed online and shall be a complete channel of new Open Learning system comprising of lectures, reading materials, tutorials, mid exams, final exams and certification. While replying to one of the query of the reporters regarding reservation in education policy, the Minister reiterated that as far as reservations are concerned, it is the constitution which provides for it and the government has no plans to make changes in reservations. Earlier in the morning the Minister interacted with the students of IIMs. Remembering the great teacher Late A.P.J Abdul Kalam, the minister said that there is a need to inculcate the willingness for adopting teaching profession among students as the country requires 10 million good teachers to improve the quality of education from primary to higher education; and from higher education to research and innovation. While reiterating the fact that India is the youngest nation with the youngest population, he said that unless there are good passionate teachers to educate these young minds they would not turn into be dividends. He ended his interaction with an appeal to the students to ponder upon the need for research and innovation for developing good quality education.