Across the World, Let our creed be
Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram (Truth, Goodness, Beauty)

Education & Universities

The Last Straw On The Back Of Indian Higher Education
Anil Chawla
12 April 2006

The proposal to increase caste-based reservations in IITs, IIMs and other central universities and institutes from the present 22.5 per cent to 49.5 per cent has stirred up a debate all over the country. Will these institutes be able to maintain their global reputation or will it prove to be the proverbial last straw on the camel's back?

Please download printer-friendly pdf file (9 pages, 120 kB) by clicking on the link above.

IIM FEE REDUCTION - RIGHT STEP, WRONG VIBES
Anil Chawla
14 February 2004

Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have been directed to reduce their fees. This has been seen as an attack on autonomy of these institutions. An article that analyses the decision and also tries to understand the genesis of protests.

The above article has generated a lively debate. Please read what others have said.

INDIAN BUSINESS SCHOOLS - THE 'BROWN SAHIB' FACTORIES
Anil Chawla
9 September 2003

In their admission tests Indian business schools put great emphasis on proficiency in English. This puts Hindi and other vernacular medium students at a disadvantage. Should this be changed? Should Indian B schools become more Indian?

The above article has generated a lively debate. Please read what others have said.

LOVE FOR ALMA MATER OR RIDING PIGGYBACK TO GLORY
Anil Chawla
20 June 2003

Government of India has recently set up Bharat Shiksha Kosh to channel donations from individuals and companies to educational institutes. IIT Bombay, which has been receiving substantial sums of money from its alumni, has been asked to channel all donations through Bharat Shiksha Kosh. Director IIT Bombay has gone on record criticizing the decision, while Directors of some other IITs have welcomed the decision. This article discusses the effect of such donations on the institute and raises other fundamental questions associated with donations.

The above article has generated a lively debate. Please read what others have said.

UNIVERSITIES & DEMOCRACY
Year 1999

French Revolution produced a bunch of leaders who were no different than the conceited, egoist, hollow, corrupt leaders that India has today. Democracy could flourish in Europe only after the universities and the academic community were given a role in governance.

AFFORDABILITY OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION
- A SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE
20th October, 1999

Based on an Invited Key-note presentation made by the author to "SYMPOSUM ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN INDIA IN NEXT MILLENNIUM - OUR PREPAREDNESS" organized by Rajiv Gandhi University of Technology and Technical Teachers' Training Institute.

DEMIGODS AND THE DARK SIDE OF MOON
(Tragedy of IITs)
21 April, 2001

Indian Institutes of Technology are world renowned premium institutes. An article that looks at their tragedy. This is not about IITs. It is about the way India treats its talent. The article generated a very lively debate. Read the debate and send your comments.

THE DEATH OF HISTORY
26 January, 2002

There has been a debate in India about the textbooks used for teaching of history in schools. The debate ignores the real malaise affecting the academic world in departments of history and such subjects that provide the software for a nation.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION - A PHILOSOPHER'S PERSPECTIVE
10th November, 2000

This paper was presented at the National Seminar for Value Inculcation Through Vocational Education organized by Pandit Suderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education on 8th November, 2000. Based on the Protestant Christian world-view it seeks to understand the concept of vocation vs. profession vs. occupation. Words of caution - This article is pure philosophy and has little to do with education.

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