EPSI Delegation met Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Hon’ble Minister of HRD on 02.09.2015 at MHRD, New Delhi

On Sep 5, 2015

A delegation of the Education Promotion Society for India (EPSI) met Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Hon’ble Minister of HRD on Wednesday, the 2^nd September, 2015 at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. A representation was submitted to the Hon’ble Minister which included some of the pressing issues being faced by private sector higher education institutions and universities. The delegation comprised vie chancellors, chancellors and heads of institutions which includes the following eminent educationists:-

Dr. G. Viswanathan, President, EPSI Founder & Chancellor, VIT University, Vellore
Dr. H Chaturvedi, Alternate President, EPSI & Director, BIMTECH, Greater Noida
Dr. M R Jayaram, Chancellor, M S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore
Dr. Prashant Bhalla, President, Manav Rachna International University, Faridabad
Prof. (Dr.) Mangesh T Karad, Chairman, EPSI (WR) Secretary, MIT Group of Institutions, Pune
S. Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chairman, EPSI (NWR) Chancellor, Chandigarh University, Punjab
Dr Taranjit Singh, Trustee & Managing Director, JIS Foundation, Kolkata
Dr. J S Neerav, Vice Chairman, Thapar University, Patiala
Dr. P N Razdan, Vice Chancellor, Dr. D Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune
Dr. (Mrs.) Madhu Chitkara, Vice Chancellor, Chitkara University, Chandigarh
Dr. G K Prabhu, Member Registrar, Manipal University, Manipal
Mr. P Palanivel Executive Secretary, EPS

Hon’ble MHRD Minister has patiently heard views of the delegation and acknowledged the contribution of private sector in education. Apart from the discussions on the EPSI’s representation, the Hon’ble Minister asked EPSI to submit documents on the following issues:

PGDM Case Pending in the Supreme Court of India since 2011:

Since the Supreme Court has issued four interim orders against AICTE’s Notification dated December 28, 2010, we have requested the Hon’ble Minister to issue direction to AICTE to settle the case outside the court with all PGDM institutions by withdrawing the Notification dated December 28, 2010.

The Hon’ble Minister asked the EPSI to forward all details and papers related to above case which is pending in the apex court since 2011 to consider the same.

About SWAYAM:

The Minister discussed about SWAYAM and directed the Additional Secretary, MHRD to meet the office bearers of EPSI. The office bearers met Shri R Subrahmanyam, Additional Secretary, Dept. of Higher Education, MHRD. He has explained us the whole concept of SWAYAM and scope for involvement of member institutions of EPSI.

On our side, we have suggested that a few workshops on MOOCs could be organized at some metro cities for the principals, directors and vice chancellors. These workshops will help a lot our member institution to adopt the right approach of MOOCs.

Launching‘Study in India for Greater Inflow of Foreign Students’ in Indian Campuses:

The Hon’ble Minister has given us a new idea for launching ‘Study in India’ Programme in foreign countries to attract foreign students in large number. We have been asked by the Minister to prepare a document enlisting modus-operandi of attracting foreign students in large number. EPSI requested one month time to submit a Paper on the same after doing some primary and secondary research.

Further the Hon’ble Minister sought, support from the EPSI and its members for preparing National Education Policy and asked EPSI to organise interactive meetings with stake holders. To showcase that the Indian Higher Education Institutions are at par with Global Standards, the MHRD is organising an International Education Exhibition at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi (preferably on 27^th to 29^th November, 2015) , wherein some reputed foreign universities have been invited.

The Hon’ble Minister asked EPSI to take a Pavilion on behalf of the members and show case the contribution of private sector in Education.