The University Grants Commission (UGC) has implemented a number of Joint Research Programmes between higher education institutions in India and foreign education institutions. Presently, 144 foreign educational institutions are involved in collaborative Joint Research Programmes. The number of foreign institutions involved in research and academic collaboration with Indian institutions (Programme/Country-wise) is as follows:-
Indo-US 21st Century Knowledge Initiative 32
UGC-UKIERI Thematic Partnerships 60
Indo-Norway Joint Research Programme 13
Indo-Newzeland Joint Research Programme 07
Indo-Israel Joint Research Programme 32
Total 144
The endeavour of the government has been to make affordable and quality education available to the eligible population in the country by expanding education facilities both in government and private sector. A Scheme for setting up 20 new Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIIT) on PPP model was approved on 07.12.2010, with an outlay of Rs.2808.71Crores. The capital cost of each IIIT is Rs.128.00 Crore to be contributed in the ratio of 50:35:15 by the Central Government, the State Government and the industry respectively (57.5:35:7.5 in case of North-Eastern region). Concerned State Government will provide 50-100 acres of land, free of cost and encumbrances. So far, 12 IIITs have commenced their academic programmes.
The Union Minister for Human Resource Development announced UCHCHATAR AVISHKAR YOJANA in the IIT Council meeting on October 6, 2015 at an annual investment of Rs. 250.00 crore with a view to promoting innovation of a higher order that directly impacts the needs of the Industry and thereby improves the competitive edge of Indian manufacturing. The Scheme would be applicable to the projects proposed by IITs initially. The projects should have collaboration between the academia and industry – within or outside India. The funding pattern of the projects selected would be 25% by Industry, 25% by participating Department/Ministry and 50% by Ministry of Human Resource Development. IIT-Madras is the National Co-ordinator of the Scheme.
The Ministry of Human Resource Development has several schemes to promote educational development of marginalized sections of the society, including minorities and women. The Scheme for Providing Quality Education for Madarsas (SPQEM) and Scheme of Infrastructure Development in Minority Institutions (IDMI) are exclusively for educational development of minorities. Under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) special provisions have been made to cater to the needs of minorities and girls. In Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), financial assistance is given for establishment of polytechnics, women hostel and Model Degree Colleges in Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs) also.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has the following schemes for the benefit of minority communities and women:-
- Remedial Coaching for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and Minority Community Students;
- Coaching for National Eligibility Test (NET)/State Eligibility Test(SET) for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and minority community students;
- Coaching Classes for entry into services of SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and minority community students;
- Coaching Classes for Residential Minorities/SC/ST and Women.
- Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child for Pursuing Higher and Non-Technical Education;
- Post-Doctoral Fellowships for Women
- Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship
- Construction of Women’s Hostels for Colleges
- Development of Women’s Studies in Universities and Colleges
- Rajiv Gandhi National fellowships for SC/ST students
- Post-graduate scholarships for SC/ST students
- Post-doctoral fellowships for SC/ST students
- Establishment of Equal Opportunity Cells in universities
- Establishment of centres in universities for study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) gives concessions in setting up new technical institutions under the category of minority institutions to encourage minorities to establish new educational institutions and thus enable easy access to technical education to minority students in the country. AICTE has launched a Scheme titled ‘PRAGATI’ in November, 2014 for providing assistance for advancement of girls’ participation in technical education.
