Thus goes a Persian proverb – “Wise men in east preach: see today with the eyes of tomorrow.” Man without vision is like a ship without compass. This is aptly so in the field of higher education, especially in the emerging era of unprecedented competition and surcharged pace of globalization where a student has to strive on the basis of his own competence. Hence, there is an expedient need to build a citizenry that not only can subsist but also can surge ahead and become a breed of true human beings, useful for themselves, their families and society at large. The higher education needs to come to terms with the national and global reality. It is only through caution and vision that a path could be chalked out. No institution can progress in the absence of a roadmap ahead. It should be able to define the content, extent and methodologies from time to time, which are basic ingredients for the future growth of higher education. The educational system should not be divorced from the national reality, as also the social, economic and cultural fabric of the country. The structuring, restructuring and constant vigil over the curricula and its effective implementation is undertaken in order to make higher education more meaningful, socially relevant and career-oriented.
The importance of ethics and values too cannot be disregarded; otherwise a student would become a rudderless ship. In order to meet the manifold changes and challenges in the emotional maladies confronting the society at large, the institutions of higher education must set a mind-frame to consciously ingrain the humanistic values into the students at every step. IASE University, in its own humble way, would like to make itself a paradigm of sorts.
The IASE University knows the importance of foresight. In fact, its conceptualisation and realisation is manifested by a vision and the missionary zeal to accomplish it. The University is quite conscious of this legacy and shall ever pursue it steadfastly.
Gandhi Vidya Mandir (GVM) is the bedrock, the substratum upon which the edifice of IASE University has burgeoned. GVM's spectrum of services especially relates to social and rural welfare, disaster relief, non-formal education, vocational training in villages, etc., which need to be further strengthened. In fact, such activities inculcate a sense of social responsibility and altruism into the minds of students who are going to become the future nation. It is, therefore, incumbent upon IASE University to surge ahead hand-in-hand with GVM in furtherance of its societal role. The existing out-reach activities should at least be doubled in the next decade for the benefit of disadvantaged and rural masses.
The existing syllabi and curricula are carefully crafted in consonance with the guidelines of UGC and other statutory bodies like NCTE, AICTE, CCIM, DEC etc. However, a constant watch over the course contents and delivery systems would remain an essential part of university. The revision and restructuring of curricula is an arduous but important exercise, and it shall be vigorously and systematically pursued in times to come.
There is a national and international need for educators at public schools. IASE is working on an innovative scheme to introduce short term as well as degree programmes for such teachers, managers and administrators, as the need arises.
A revolutionary idea is being conceived by our faculty which relates to highly specialized training for preparing the extra-ordinarily talented young persons suited for direct recruitment at high-salaried senior academic /administrative positions like Professors, Principals etc. The paucity for senior faculty is woefully rampant every where, and attraction for the promising passed outs to take up teaching jobs has also fallen to the rock-bottom. The said plan can prove to be a step in the direction of mitigating both those problems.
IASE University has purchased 80 bighas of land in Bikaner, and has established its off-campus centre there, for soon to be introduced degree courses in Management, Engineering and Mass Media. Diploma course in Journalism has already been started there. UGC approval will be sought when the stage is set to start UG/PG courses.
IASE University has established an off-campus centre (approved by UGC) at Bhubaneshwar. There are about 1000 students in degree courses in Management, Bio-technology and Engineering. It is proposed to start some more specialized branches of Bio-Technology and add PG courses in some disciplines.
The IASE University's long-range planning is to start two off-campus centres – one each near Mumbai and Kolkata. These two centres would especially cater to the needs of the poorest of poor, like slum dwellers, and would provide short-term technical, professional and employment-oriented courses to the hepless boys/girls, on a very nominal fee. Negotiations are at an advanced stage with some corporate houses and philanthropists to provide land at concessional rates, and to finance our mass welfare-oriented educational venture. This would be a novel way of providing fruits of education to the most deprived segment of society.
IASE University is a veritable amalgam of students and faculty which is broadly representative of the diversity of Indian nation, replete with many castes, creeds and classes, and many parts of the country. To ensure the continuance of that legacy and to include in that bouquet the shades and fragrances of other nations also, the University has aggressive plans mainly through admissions and recruitments. IASE has a robust infrastructure and programming to accommodate and maximize the educational advantages of the campus's rich tradition of access, equity and in excellence.
A university is a university only when it thinks of universality of education and proceeds to act in that direction. IASE University has nurtured the legacy of “Education with Universal Social Commitment.” As the first step, we have decided to establish our off-shore.
