BHU VC advocates restructuring of 3+2 higher education system

New Delhi: Though Delhi University's experiment with the Four Year Undergraduate Programme saw an unforeseen fate, BHU Vice-Chancellor Girsish Chandra Tripathi believes that the higher education system is an "outmoded construct" and there is need to restructure the 3+2 education system.

The Vice Chancellor, also asserted that there isn't a need for so many Central Universities and their increasing number is just reducing their status equivalent to those of "polytechnics".

"The existing institutional structures do not suit our needs and aspirations. Our higher education system is an outmoded construct. New challenges require restructuring. Why cannot we have a 4+1 or a 2+3 system instead of the present 3+2 higher education system," Tripathi said while addressing the gathering at 30th foundation day of IGNOU.

"Universities wage a constant battle with academic dishonesty in both research and generating favourable learning outcomes. We need to move beyond "score hunting programmes" and "ivory towers" to the realities of demand and supply in a globalised world," he added.

Maintaining that there have been limited attempts in the country for an "intensive education planning", the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Vice Chancellor said, "there is no need for so many Central Universities. They are coming up everywhere like polytechnics. It is their task to cater to job seekers, universities are supposed to address bigger demands". 

Tripathi also pitched for establishing a connect between the higher education system and our ancient heritage and culture as well as strengthening accreditation and quality assurance mechanisms.

"We need to actually define 'what education is' and 'how education can work' on a one-planet basis. India has one of the highest student-teacher ratios in the world, directly impacting the quality of education delivery.

"Further, faculty appointments for higher education have grown at a slower pace than enrollments. Strengthening our accreditation and quality assurance mechanisms would improve quality of existing institutions and give the new players a platform to catch up with the desired standards," Tripathi said.