Will we see an overhaul of Indian Higher Education system post pandemic?

It has been almost 4–5 months (depending upon where you live) since the normal life got disrupted by Covid-19. Worldwide, Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) closed down and the semester was conducted in distance learning mode (online or otherwise). While for some universities, the switch was relatively smooth, others (usually those with lesser resources) are still struggling. The chances of physical campuses becoming accessible during next semester are bleak and we may end up with almost a full year without physical classes.

A lot of discussions are happening about impact of Covid-19 on different facets of life. Several commentators have suggested that the pandemic is a ‘point of no return’ for universities and they will be fundamentally transformed by this event.

I beg to differ. My prediction is that within Indian context, most universities will return to their normal ways after campuses open post-pandemic.

While the pandemic does present an opportunity to overhaul the system, the moot question is: do our institutions have the capability to utilize this opportunity? At present, what I see is the following:

1. MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource Development) is focused on ensuring that the academic calendar does not get disrupted too much. There have been no major announcements about increasing investment in higher education or bringing changes to governance of HEIs in India.
2. Meanwhile, in its usual style, it is trying to control what happens within universities and does not trust University Management and Boards to make any good decisions (See the ministerial diktat about Executive MBA as an example).
3. UGC (University Grants Commission) is also focused similarly on ensuring minimal disruption to academic calendar. A Google search of news related to UGC shows nothing but MHRD asking UGC to take some action, UGC instructing universities regarding online classes or conduct of examination. Historically, it has rarely acted as a truly independent Think Tank (a role envisaged for it initially) to guide universities and governments, and the empirical evidence of its actions during pandemic gives no hope for change. (See what UGC has been upto in last few months here. I cannot notice anything earth shattering.)
4. The Public universities (State, Central, IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NLUs, IISc, and the likes) are all trying to finish the semester and start new one with minimal disruption despite all constraints. There are usual protests from teachers and students when online examinations have been announced or tried. Hardly any Public University leadership has shown courage to point out gaps within existing systems, and none (as far as I know) has come up with any revolutionary agenda to change the way they will function in post-Covid era.
5. Private Universities have focused on two aspects: one, ensuring the continuation of semester (mostly online, while simultaneously tackling claims from students to refund hostel, mess or other components of fees for current semester), and two, ensuring the admissions for next year are not impacted (thus minimizing impact on revenues).
6. All universities (especially the private ones) have gone on a Webinar spree, with everyone highlighting number of webinars they have conducted. Several are bragging about how they could quickly turn classes online, have suddenly received E-Learning Excellence awards on basis of IT infrastructure they have purchased, though audit of learning outcomes is not yet possible.
7. Some universities have organized ‘Higher Education in Post-Covid-19 World’ virtual conferences, oftentimes with impressive panels and good discussions. How much of these will translate into actual action will be visible only later. The status of implementation of recommendations from committees formed to overhaul Indian higher education (Yashpal Committee, Kakodkar Committee etc.) make me skeptical.

Operational logic and continuity driving action

In short, the focus of key actors has been on short-term goals of ensuring the continuity of operations of the university. [This is not unexpected. I have written about this in school context which is almost true in case of universities also with a few exceptions]. What is clearly visible is that everyone has tried to maintain continuity and keep control in their hands. MHRD directed UGC, AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education), etc., which in turn directed Universities, where Management (mostly VC, Registrar, Deans, and the other top functionaries) shared notices and SOPs to deal with the situation.

No change in position of stakeholders

No new stakeholders have emerged during the pandemic that can fundamentally shift the way universities are governed or operated after normalcy returns.

Faculty members who did not have much say before pandemic still had no say during pandemic and are unlikely to have any say later. Some universities have tied up with companies like Coursera or EdX to help faculty access MOOCs for ‘personal development’ but nothing substantial has been gained in terms of their participation within university decision-making. Even if they hone their ‘leadership skills’ by completing a MOOC certification, they are unlikely to get opportunity to press this learning into action.

Students either remain passive recipients of instructions from university, or protest (just like they did before pandemic) when they find diktats misaligned with their interests. Their focus is more on examinations than anything else. I could not find any massive discussions around learning deficits or need for changes in teaching-learning structures and relationships within university, or on the goals of university or university education.

Communities were never a serious stakeholder in Indian Higher Education institutions, and they have gained no ground even during pandemic (with exception of some more voices for marginalized getting raised from within universities).

Even in terms of faculty research, some have lapped up the unique opportunities created by pandemic to publish more. The good part is that some amazing discussions have happened around issues of marginalized, maltreatment of migrant laborers, status of healthcare, differential access to internet, etc., but most of the times, these are same voices that are active in universities during routine days.

Management remains all powerful (in case of private HEIs) or highly politicized (in case of Central or State universities), or autonomous in limited ways (in case of IIMs, AIIMS, or NLUs etc. showing no major changes in the way they act within or outside institutional boundaries). It is unlikely that a VC or Director or Registrar will be asked to leave on basis of their performance during pandemic.

The government (MHRD) and the regulators (UGC, AICTE, BCI, etc.) are likely to continue the way they have always done. There is no scope of MHRD bringing ordinance to bring more transparency in selection of University leaders and empowering universities to make leadership decisions internally. And there is no scope of regulators taking an independent stand and opposing the minister when (s)he interferes with the functioning of HEIs.

Conclusion

To conclude, I am not very optimistic that teaching, learning, research, focus on grades and placements, bunking classes, publishing to meet targets, management control, etc. will change in any significant manner within Indian HEIs once pandemic is over. Universities (and Regulators/MHRD) have been forced to test the feasibility of online education and this trend will continue, although it will not change the state (and fate) of Indian higher education in any significant manner as is being claimed by some.

Universities have upgraded IT infrastructures and students and teachers will benefit from this after pandemic, though again, it will be a step change towards better classroom engagement. No new agenda setting has happened during last 3–4 months that could drastically change the way our HEIs operate or consider their role within society. Some HEIs (maybe not more than 10–15) may utilize this opportunity and make drastic changes by engaging with all stakeholders and focusing on real issues rather than on theatrics, provided they can find ways to bypass UGC , AICTE, BCI rules and norms. For most, return to campus will be return to the pre-pandemic routines, and most stakeholders will be happy to be back in their comfortable worlds. To expect Covid-19 to change Indian HEIs by its own force is to expect too much from a virus despite its demonstrated capabilities.