Unpredictable biases in Indian Higher Education

India's higher education system is the third-largest in the world. At the tertiary level, the main governing body is the University Grants Commission, which enforces its standards, advises the government, and helps coordinate between the central and the state. Accreditation for higher education is overseen by 15 autonomous institutions established by the UGC. The importance in the tertiary level of education lies in science and technology and focuses on reorganization and holding higher standards of the curriculum with the help of international academic publishers, allowing students to enter the workforce with necessary building blocks of knowledge that leads to skills from academic fields.

Indian states, at both central and state levels, have a shortage of seats for students in the universities over several decades. Instead, most Indians and those affluent have increasingly relied on private solutions in higher education. India needs public and private universities to address the growing demand for education from its millions of young people. The rise of the lucrative private education sector, which now enrolls around two-thirds of India's higher education students. The growth of interest in the IT sector and engineering education in India has hit students with crowded knowledge that gives them lesser chance to explore and develop their passions with modern elements of education such as co-operative education, work-based training, etc.

University campuses are places where students live and study close to each other. They are also buzzing cultural hubs where students are brought together from nations around the world. Recently unique ecosystems have been impacted significantly by the rapid spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, creating uncertainty regarding the implications for higher education.

Covid-19 outbreak

The sudden shutting of all the institutions in India and around the world led to the sudden conversion of predictable face-to-face instruction to the fully online format in many Universities; it was complicated to move entirely to online platforms for teaching-learning, evaluation, and laboratory cases. Due to Covid 19 pandemic. Indian universities face criticism for their response to the country's deadly coronavirus surge.

As India's higher education sector will continue to hurt from the pandemic, it is premature to anticipate the fallout fully. Much will depend on the cumulative human and economic costs of the pandemic through this year and beyond. Even after India returns to "normal" high rates of economic growth, the political focus will likely remain on recovering from the economic contraction and addressing the social costs of the pandemic years, particularly rising unemployment and poverty rates. It implies that the pandemic will prove to be financially disruptive and eventually devastating for Indian universities.

The problem with some private universities is that they offer unexceptional education. A private institution costs much more than a public university. Seats is less available and lead to higher levels of debts without substantially improving the life chances of the degree holder. The prediction for India's higher education in the post-Covid years is somewhat miserable. Under such conditions, the country's expected gains from its demographic dividend will take a further hit.

Accepting the economic influence

The biggest concern for the education sector is international students who make up their higher education. Despite the fact travel limitations have helped slow down the spread of the disease, they have also left international students stranded. At the same time, this may be a small percentage of the overall student population. If the restrictions remain in place, the higher education system could accept the brunt of an economic decline. So, how should universities and colleges in India adjust their learning styles to retain program enrollment and provide accessibility to students?

Optimize online learning

The most efficient tool in keeping student retention and maintaining access to learning has been online courses. Universities across India, in particular, have attuned their programs in response to the spread of the coronavirus.

University has called off the students and lecturers, urging its professors to move any remaining lessons online. Because of the spread Of COVID-19, universities declared a ban on on-campus classes. Universities move to virtual courses.

The majority of colleges and universities in India integrate some form of online education into their coursework. However, moving all programs online may prove challenging. Although some universities may already have online systems, smaller universities may struggle under the weight of the demand. Therefore, University course creators should work closely with their IT departments to ensure their programs are supported online.

Tutor students on best practices

Online learning is the new way to go, and universities should also guarantee students and staff are protected while they are on campus. At the same time, Covid-19 is a risk for people aged 60, and students face low risks from the disease. However, we have seen just how quickly the novel coronavirus can spread in areas with a high concentration of people, and university campuses are no exemption. 

Management should follow simple measures to prevent the spread of the disease on their campuses. They should include instructing students on the appropriate protocols for handwashing, covering sneezes and coughs with their elbows, and self-isolating if they are experiencing flu or cold-like symptoms. Educators should also be aware of students who have traveled extensively during the break and remind those who have been in heavily affected places to be mindful about returning to campus. 

Gather info and apply learnings

Universities and colleges that make changes to the campuses concerning novel coronavirus should take indications from others who have already taken action. They should analyze the steps taken by other educators to understand what has worked, what hasn't performed, and how to tackle the challenges they may face. With the spread of the disease expected to worsen before it gets better, administrators should take quick action to safeguard their campuses and students in preparation for potential closures.

The higher education sector has survived raging economic times in the past, and it will withstand them again. In a digital age, universities and colleges are better placed today more than ever to provide students with easy access to continue their studies online.

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