'EDUCATION KEY TO BRIDGING GENDER GAP '

Thesynergyonline Education Bureau

NEWDELHI, DEC 19 :
ECONOMIC independence and empowerment of women emerged as the main route to bring respect into gender equation at the Ideas India 2008 seminar conducted here by Aspen Institute India.

Panelists at the concurrent session on 'Gender and Society: What Women Want' agreed that things have already begun to change for the better and empowerment should come through economic, educational and legislative means.

The first speaker, Ms Krishna Bose, former Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs of India, said that the attitude of political parties towards the women reservation bill reflected the state of society.

"We have wasted so many years but could not settle the women reservation issue , " she added.

Her Private Members' Bill to make a one-line amendment to the Representation of People's Act to made it mandatory for all political parties to field a certain percentage of women in the elections, faced a similar fate. She said we have women leaders but not empowered women at the society level.

Ms Bose, however, noted that education is not necessarily the tool for bringing the change in attitudes. She gave the example of Phoolan Devi who had no education but had a lot of common sense to become a leader.

Ms Navita Mahajan, Researcher and Academic, Punjabi University, said ,"Our women have freedom of thought but not freedom of action. We often hear that we in India respect women. It has become a cliché,"she added.

"We cannot ask for respect from others. It is for us to get respect by first start respecting ourselves," she said.

Sex ratio is highly skewed in the two northern states of Punjab and Haryana, which are certainly not the poorest states in the country. She finds education to be the biggest tool to bridge the gap between freedom of thought and freedom of action.

Ms Naina Lal Kidwai, Group General Manager and Country Head, India, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd, said that women do not want to be discriminated either positively or negatively. They want to come up the ladder on merit. She said that because women have to drop out because of their own reasons and roles in the society, there should be a policy to make their reentry or reemployment easy.

Ms Kavita Bhartia, Founder, Ogaan, said the it is poverty that bring aggression of men against women to the forefront. She said that education is a must for empowerment.

Ms Manju Bharat Ram, Chairperson, Shriram School, said that education is not the panacea for gender equality. She noted that sex ratio imbalance is the highest among the educated and the rich. Women have to be economically independent to get respect and get involved in the decision making.

Mr Suhel Seth, Managing Partner, Counselage, who moderated the discussion, kicked off the discussion by saying that we always pay a lot of lip service to the issue but have not yet begun to respect women in the social perspective.
( editor@thesynergyonline.com)

INDIA LAGS BEHIND EMERGING ECONOMIES IN QUALITY EDUCATION

Thesynergyonline Education Bureau

NEW DELHI, DEC 16 :
WHILE Russia has emerged as the frontrunner in the quality of education parameter, India has been lagging behind in the race as it ranks at 6th place among the Seven largest emerging economies of the world.

According to an ASSOCHAM Eco Pulse (AEP) Study “Comparative Study of Emerging Economies on Quality of Education’, India was ranked at the second last place among seven developing countries in terms of education quality as it score minimum points in primary, secondary, tertiary and demographic parameters as compared to other six emerging economies of the world.

The analysis was carried out on the basis of 20 parameters relating to primary, secondary, tertiary education and higher education and demography. Data provided by UNESCO, IMF, WEF, Financial Times was used for the study purpose.

Mr. Sajjan Jindal, ASSOCHAM President while releasing the Study said, “serious attention needs to be paid towards the education system. India may stand to loose its competitive advantages against the other countries in long term if corrective measures are not taken to strengthen the Indian education system qualitatively”.

China, the largest in size among the developing countries and with the fastest growing GDP, has secured second place with score points of 6.7, at the competitive distance from Russia at 7.,3 points whereas India could score only 3.3 pints.

The South American giant economy, Brazil has positioned itself at third place with 5.56 score points as the quality of education in Brazil remains stable across all levels of primary, secondary and higher education. Mexico has been ranked at fourth place on the strength of its higher education.

South Africa, a relatively new entrant to the club of developing
economies, has managed the fifth place on strength of its tertiary
education and demographic qualities. However, in the quality of primary education, the country lags behind all its peers.

Indonesia, the seventh largest developing economy, got the last position in terms of quality of education. The country secured the overall score of 2.68, as the secondary and higher education in the country could not match the quality standards.

The ASSOCHAM analysis revealed that the primary education in India is highly under-developed as compared to the other emerging nations. Although primary education is compulsory and there is legal guarantee of free education, the gross enrolment ratio in primary education is least in India at 98.1. The highest gross enrolment ratio is in Brazil (148.5), followed by China (116.2) and Russia (113.8) Even Indonesia (110.9) and South Africa (105.1) enjoy better enrolment ratio than India.

The ratio is highest in India among all the emerging nations as for every forty students, there is one teacher. There is marked difference between India and other developing economies in terms of pupil teacher ratio as the ratio was a slow as 17 and 20 for Russia and China.

India was at the last position in terms of quality of secondary education while Russia and Brazil had maximum scores. The pupil teacher ratio was highest in India with average 32 students for one teacher. Next was South Africa with the ratio of 30. For China and Brazil, the ratio was 19. Private enrolment of the total enrolment is highest in India for the secondary education as was the case in primary education. Around 42 per cent of the students studying in secondary classes belong to private schools.

The quality of tertiary education in India was lowest among the other emerging nations. It score points on scale of 2, was 0.1. The gross enrolment ratio in tertiary education was least in India with only 11 per cent enrolments taking place. The percentage of females out of the total enrolment was least in India and also was way low than other emerging nations. While the average share of female in tertiary education enrolment was 52 per cent for other economies, it was only 8.1 per cent for India. The ratio was highest in Russia and Brazil at 56.7 per cent and 56.1 per cent.

However, India enjoys a better ranking in quality of education at higher levels. It was at third place while China was the top performer, followed by Mexico. Two parameters were studied for comparative analysis of higher education among the emerging economies. The first was number of universities in each country to have been ranked in top 200 universities of the world by The Times Higher Education - QS World University Rankings. India has one business school among the top 100 management institutions of the world but not a single university which falls under the best 200 universities.

Even as the demographics of India are considered its strength, the country scored minimum in demographics and was ranked at last place. This was primarily because of the lowest literacy rate in India among its peers. The gender parity in educational attainment in India was lowest among the emerging economies; its overall rank among all the countries of the world was 116.(editor@thesynergyonline.com) .

DELHI SCHOOLS MOP UP RS 5000- CRORE BY SELLING NURSERY PROSPECTUS

Thesynergyonline Education Bureau

NEW DELHI, DEC 06 :
A minimum of 300 per cent rise is being noticed in Prospectus sold off by various public schools for giving admissions in Nursery and KG classes between a period of 2000 to 2008 and on an average each parent is selling out a sum of Rs.5000 for buying such prospectus, hoping admissions for their tiny taughts.

In around 2000, leading public schools in Delhi would normally sell off prospectus, containing details about admission processes in their respective schools for a sum of Rs.300. In 2008, one prospectus costs parents roughly Rs.1000, according to findings of the ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation (ASDF).

Parents on an average are shelling out a minimum sum of Rs.5,000 on their single child for buying prospectus. Obviously, for 2 children, the sum spent on buying prospectus doubles up, says the Mr. D S Rawat, ASSOCHAM Secretary General. The cost of prospectus for nursery and KGs is costlier than the prospectus sold off by reputed management, engineering and chartered accountant institutions which really provide qualitative education.

According to estimates made by ASDF, in Delhi alone good public schools are likely to earn revenues by selling prospectus to an extent of Rs.5,000 crore. This is absolutely a conservative estimates based on finding of ASSOCHAM, added Mr. Rawat pointing out that this is despite the Delhi government directives to school management to have
standardized prospectus at a uniform price. This directive is being violated which is unfortunate, added the Secretary General ASSOCHAM.

The ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation further points out that generally parents do not refuse to buy prospectus as these contain important details about admission procedure along with the admission forms. Now, with more schools starting the sale of forms, parents can't help but shell out more. Many parents also believe it wise to buy the forms of as many schools as possible to secure admission for their wards.

Single parent keep aside around Rs 4,000/- to 5,000/- to apply in at least 10-12 schools so that at the end of the day, their child is enrolled in one of the schools of their choices as majority of parents can't afford to miss out a chance.

Most of Parents feel that selling out Rs.5000 on buying prospectus pinches them the most as there is no certainty that their child will eventually get through that school. "It's like a wild shot. They have to unwillingly pay for the prospectus and a CD on the school curriculum in two schools even when they are almost sure that their child would not get admission there”.

These days prospectus are made fancy with lot of unwanted reading materials as the intention of the schools is to make prospectus voluminous to attract good pricing.

Increasingly rising school admission form in most of privately managed schools in large cities including metros have deterred even well to do young parents.

The Chamber has not only opposed escalation in cost of prospectus but it is equally against proposed fee hike move in public schools which is likely to be within the range of 40 per cent.

The Chamber feels that at times when economy is on doldrums, downsizing in corporate world is on peak and people are loosing jobs and inflation continues to push up prices of all essential commodities, it would be extremely unfair to raise the fee as it would put most of the parents under severe pressures.

Mr. Rawat said that majority of school management boards have referred to the 6th Pay Commission hike as one of the reasons for tuition fee hike which is totally unjustified as majority of the workforce is engaged in unorganized sector and is not at all beneficiary to pay hike.

Parents, however, complain that education is now being run like a commercial business enterprise. The high tuition fees no more justify the services offered at schools and the erratic fee hike effected each year by management of schools.

An estimated over 30 million children are now educated in private schools, with fees usually rising well above inflation. Parents have to spend sleepless nights worrying about how they are going to pay for what their child needs simply to go to school. It is hitting their budget very hard and potentially having a direct impact on children’s schooling. Parents are especially concerned about schools that put pressure on parents to make so-called ‘voluntary’ contributions.” (editor@thesynergyonline.com)

INDO- CHINA COALITION IN MEDIA EDUCATION MOOTED

Thesynergyonline Education Bureau

NEW DELHI, NOV 26 :
A 10-member delegation comprising of professors and directors of Indian Media, Journalism and Management Universities has returned after a week-long visit to China's leading National Universities in Beijing, Shenyang and Shanghai. The visiting Indian Universities signed MoUs with Prof. Zhao Kai, Dean, School of Journalism, Fudan University, Shanghai and Prof. Zhang Guo Liang, Dean, School of Media and Design and Director, Global Communication Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University on 21st and 22nd November respectively.

The specific areas of intent for cooperation and collaboration between the Indian and Chinese Universities would be Student Exchanges, Faculty Exchanges, Research Projects, Lectures through Video Conference, Chinese and Indian language. According to Prof. Nagaraj K.V. Professor & Chairman, Department of Mass Communication & Journalism, Mangalore University, Karnataka, one of the prominent mission members who made presentation at both the Universities in Shanghai, "A socially responsible and culturally sensitive India - China coalition in media education will help both countries bring a deeper and more focused "Asia perspective" to media education"

The Mission, organised by India China Alliance Centre (ICAC) helped Indian media schools familiarise themselves with the prevailing scenario in China, especially in the field of Journalism, Media, Design and Communication and Management. The visit provided a unique opportunity to explore collaborative arrangements with top-of-the-line Chinese Universities covering student and faculty exchange, joint research and joint programmes.

Jointly led by Prof. M S M Rawat, Former Vice Chancellor of HNB Garhwal University, Uttarakhand and Prof. (Dr.) J S Panwar, Director MBA Programme, Sardar Patel University, Gujarat, the 10-member Mission visited and interacted with China's premier Universities – Peking University and University of International Business and Economic in Beijing; Shenyang University and Liaoning University in the Northeastern Capital City of Shenyang and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Fudan University and China Europe International Business School (Ranked No.11 in the World) in Shanghai.

The other members of the delegation were: Dr. Sanjeev Bhanawat, Head, Centre for Mass Communication, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur; Dr. C Pichandy, Head, Department of Communication & Media Studies, PSG College of Arts and Science, Tamil Nadu; Dr. N Thirugnanasambandam, Reader in Sociology, PSG College of Arts and Science, Tamil Nadu; Dr. Rajbir Singh, Chairman, Department of Management Studies & Humanities, DCR University of Science & Technology, Haryana, Dr. B.P. Verma, Director, Kohinoor Business School & Centre for Management Research, Maharashtra and Mr. Surinder Kumar, Associate, India China Alliance Centre, New Delhi.

DUKE UNIVERITY TO EXPAND GLOBAL BUSINESS PROGRAMMES TO INDIA

Thesynergyonline Education Bureau

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 16 :
DUKE University’s Fuqua School of Business, amongst the top 10 business schools in the US , said, it would establish a presence in New Delhi as part of the school’s global expansion. Further, it named a board to advise the university on strategies for expanding and enhancing Duke’s presence in India .

The advisory board, consisting of graduates of Duke University & Fuqua’s MBA programs, will also assist Duke in forging new partnerships in the country.

The board will be chaired by Malvinder Singh, CEO and Managing Director of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited. Other board members include, Dr. Amit Mitra of FICCI, Suhail Nathani, Partner, Economics Law Practice, Timothy Kasbe, Chief Information Officer, Reliance; Sanjith Shetty, Vice Chairman, Soham Infrastructure ; Devinjit Singh, Managing Director-Asia, Carlyle Group; Shivinder Singh, CEO and Managing Director, Fortis Healthcare ; Vikrampati Singhania, Deputy Managing Director, J.K. Organization; and Bharat Tandon, president and CEO, SABIC India .

“Fuqua has made a commitment to becoming the world’s first legitimately global business school,” Fuqua Dean Blair Sheppard said. “From the very start, our expansion plans have included India, one of the world’s most quickly emerging and rapidly evolving economic and cultural centers. Utilizing our strong alumni network in India is vital to our goal of delivering The Duke MBA experience to tomorrow’s global business leaders.”

Duke President Richard H. Brodhead noted the importance of India in Duke’s future plans.

“I don’t think anyone would dispute that with India’s size, economic and political strength, and its vast pool of talented students and academics, it is a place from which we can learn a great deal,” Brodhead said. “At the same time, we are building lasting relationships that will help secure a shared future of teaching and learning with India. Duke’s strengths in business, public policy, the environment and biomedical research present a unique and compelling opportunity for collaboration with colleagues in India.”

Duke has long maintained a strong association with India, with nearly 300 Indian-born undergraduate and graduate students currently attending the university. The Duke Center for International Development designs and delivers customized educational and training programs for government agencies in India. Duke Corporate Education collaborates with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) to provide custom corporate education programs.

In addition, Duke’s Terry Sanford Institute for Public Policy for many years has worked with the Indian Administrative Service on professional education for civil servants.

In May 2008, Duke’s Talent Identification Program (TIP) offered a three-week residential pilot program on the campus of IIMA for academically gifted Indian students; the program will be repeated next year at IIMA and in New Delhi.

Malvinder Singh, CEO and MD, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd who is also the Chair for the newly formed Duke India Alumni advisory Board, Duke University, said, "I am delighted to see the vision of a world class University, such as Duke, take shape here in India. Being an alumnus, I can say with confidence that I gained enormously from its open, multidisciplinary, multicultural, education format and the top class intellectual input and rigor that Duke provides. I am sure, it will set a new benchmark for liberal university education in India and augment the much needed requirement for world class professional institutions that are urgently needed to bridge the high quality talent needs of the fast globalizing Indian economy.”

Beyond New Delhi, Fuqua’s global expansion initiative will include new Fuqua programs in Shanghai, China; London, UK; Dubai, UAE; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Johannesburg, South Africa.

Fuqua’s plans are unique among business schools, extending beyond the limited, casual affiliations that traditionally define international academic programs, Sheppard said. Each of Fuqua’s new regional engagements will feature open enrollment executive education, at least two research centers, Duke faculty or joint faculty appointments, service-based activities focused on local needs, an MBA offering (with the exception of Johannesburg), a Duke Corporate Education presence and involvement of other parts of Duke University.

“A comprehensive understanding of the new world economy requires expertise in a number of areas that touch upon business,” Sheppard said. “To deliver an interdisciplinary experience, we will engage the resources of other schools within Duke: Duke University School of Law, Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University School of Medicine, Pratt School of Engineering, and Duke Global Health Institute.”

Fuqua’s new global initiative will begin in August 2009 with students entering The Duke MBA – Cross Continent program, which targets high-potential junior and middle managers. Fuqua launched its Cross Continent program in 2000, building on the strengths of its well-regarded Duke MBA – Global Executive. (editor@thesynergyonline.com)