Rise in private universities in India: report

Private universities in the country have more than doubled in the last six years, according to the findings of a new report. While the country had 20 private universities prior to 2005, that figure surged to 107 last year.

Private universities in the country have more than doubled in the last six years, according to the findings of a new report. While the country had 20 private universities prior to 2005, that figure surged to 107 last year.

The report, “Private Universities in India: An Investment in National Development”, compiled by management consultancy group Parthenon, will be released at a conference in New Delhi on Tuesday by union human resources development (HRD) minister Kapil Sibal. “Private scale universities are capital efficient and self-sustaining enterprises for entrepreneurs and investors,” said the report. “Private education serves to bridge the employability gap for students and employers.”

“Good private universities will pay teachers better, giving them greater motivation ,” said Rupa Shah, educationist and former vice chancellor of SNDT University. “But there also needs to be an effective regulatory body to monitor these universities.”

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However, not everyone is convinced. “Gross enrollment ratio for India is no doubt low, but private universities will not solve the problem as far as accessibility of education goes,” said Milind Wagh, secretary of non-profit group Shikshan Bazarikaran Virodhi Manch.