The article titled “Introduction to Paramarsh: The Scheme to Promote Quality Higher Education” begins now.
About Paramarsh: A UGC Initiative
Announced by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, the University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced a novel scheme dubbed ‘Paramarsh’. The primary objective of this model is to guide and mentor those institutions in pursuit of accreditation from the National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC). The main aim is to promote quality assurance and enhancement in higher education.
The Implementation Model: Hub & Spoke
Paramarsh will be operationalized using a “Hub & Spoke” model. Here, the mentor institution, tagged the “Hub,” serves as the central guiding force. It shoulders the responsibility of steering the mentee institution, dubbed the “Spoke,” through various services aimed at self-improvement. The scheme permits centralized control over operational efficiency and resource utilization and paves the way for the holistic development of the mentee institution.
Targets and Objectives of the Scheme
Paramarsh has set its sights on mentoring 1000 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The focus is specifically on improving quality as delineated in the UGC’s “Quality Mandate.”
Anticipated Benefits of Paramarsh
The implementation of Paramarsh has the potential to significantly boost the overall quality of the mentee institutions. Notably, it expects to enhance the institutions’ profiles through upgraded teaching and learning methodologies and quality of research. A significant benefit to the mentee institute lies in the assistance provided towards obtaining NAAC accreditation.
Moreover, the scheme facilitates the dissemination of knowledge, sharing of information, and provides opportunities for research collaboration and faculty development in the mentee institutions. Furthermore, it commits to delivering quality education to the 3.6 crore students currently enrolled in the Indian Higher Education system.
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Year NAAC was established | 1994 |
| Headquarters of NAAC | Bengaluru |
| Year UGC came into existence | 1953 |
| Year UGC became a statutory organization | 1956 |
| Head office of UGC | New Delhi |
National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC)
Established in the year 1994, the National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) is an autonomous institution of the UGC. It is headquartered in Bengaluru. The central mandate of NAAC is to make quality assurance an essential part of the functioning of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). NAAC oversees the arrangements for periodic assessments and accreditation of higher education institutions or units thereof, or specific academic programmes or projects.
University Grants Commission (UGC)
The University Grants Commission (UGC) was formed in 1953 and subsequently became a statutory organization of the Government of India following an Act of Parliament in 1956. Its role involves the coordination, determination, and maintenance of teaching, examination, and research standards in university education. The head office of the UGC is located in New Delhi.
