On July 19, 2019, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank,” Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD), announced the Paramarsh Scheme 2020. “Paramarsh” is a Hindi term that signifies “consultation or guidance.” The University Grants Commission Scheme is known as Paramarsh. It was established to preserve the country’s educational quality standards. Under the Paramarsh Scheme, the UGC has chosen 71 universities and 391 institutions that meet the National Accreditation and Assessment Council’s standards (NAAC). These Selected Institutes and Universities will mentor colleges and universities that do not meet NAAC Standards.

Introduction

The Ministry of Human Resource Development wishes to enhance the quality of education, including research, teaching, and learning techniques, at institutes that do not adhere to NAAC standards. The Central Government also wishes to deliver quality education to the 3.6 crore students now enrolled in the Indian Higher Education System. HRD has implemented the Paramarsh Scheme to attain this goal. This approach will undoubtedly aid in the achievement of Quality Education Standards.

These institutes and universities will hire an expert as a mentor and provide a fellowship of Rs 31,000 per month. A single mentor college and institute will guide five colleges. The mentor colleges will offer advice on curricular issues, teaching-learning, assessment, research, innovation, institutional values, practices, etc. The hope is that the UGC will execute this plan in stages since the Paramarsh Scheme will target 1000 higher education institutions (HEIs).

Method of implementation

The Minister stated that the scheme would be implemented using a “Hub & Spoke” model, in which the Mentor Institution, known as the “Hub,” will be centralized and will be responsible for guiding the Mentee Institution through the secondary branches, known as the “Spoke,” through the services provided to the mentee for self-improvement. This enables centralized supervision over operational efficiency and resource use to achieve overall institutional growth of the mentee institution. He also stated that the initiative would increase the overall quality of mentee institutions and raise their prominence due to enhanced research, teaching, and learning practices.

This implementation will lead to vast exposure to the mentee institutions, which is highly desired. Further, this will help them uplift their standards following the prevalent protocol, and it is high time that such education reform takes place. This reform’s in charge is UGC, the University Grants Commission (UGC) was established in 1953 and became a statutory entity of the Government of India by an Act of Parliament in 1956, to coordinate, determine, and maintain standards of teaching, assessment, and research in university education. 

The objective

Mentee Institution will also have more exposure and adapt faster to best practices. The “Paramarsh” initiative will also encourage knowledge and information sharing and chances for research cooperation and faculty development in Mentee Institutions. This “Paramarsh” plan will mentor 1000 Higher Education Institutions with a special focus on quality, as outlined in the UGC “Quality Mandate.” The mentor-mentee connection would benefit both institutions and give quality education to the 3.6 crore students now enrolled in India’s higher education system.

What will happen with NAARC accreditation

It was founded in 1994 as an autonomous UGC institution with its headquarters in Bengaluru. NAAC’s mandate is to make quality assurance an intrinsic element of HEIs’ operation. It arranges for the periodic examination and accreditation of higher education institutions or units and specialized academic programs or initiatives.

Benefits of the scheme

• It will increase the overall quality of the mentee institutions and raise their visibility as a consequence of enhanced research, teaching, and learning practices.
• It will aid the mentee institution’s pursuit of NAAC accreditation.
• It will also make it easier for Mentee Institutions to share knowledge, information, and possibilities for research cooperation and faculty growth.
• It would aid in the provision of excellent education to the 3.6 crore students now enrolled in the Indian higher education system.

Eligibility of the UGC

• According to the UGC eligibility requirements, the mentor and mentee might be from a government, aided, private, or self-financing institution. The mentor institution should be NAAC recognized and have an overall score of 3.26 or above.
• Any such institution recognized under Sections 2(f) and 12B of the UGC Act 1956 shall be eligible for UGC funds for this purpose.
• Because these monies will be used to mentor the institution rather than build infrastructure, private institutions can obtain money the same way as student teacher-focused programs do.
• In addition, the mentee institution will benefit from more exposure and faster adoption of best practices.
• The scheme will also promote the exchange of knowledge and information and chances for research cooperation and faculty development.

Salient features

• A single Mentor Institute will guide five colleges.
• The Mentor Institute will hire one expert to provide greater guidance and mentoring.
• Mentee institutes will provide Mentor fellowships.
• It will increase the overall quality of the mentee institutions and raise their visibility as a consequence of enhanced research, teaching, and learning practices.
• The scheme will assist the mentee institution in achieving NAAC certification.
• The UGC Paramarsh Scheme would be implemented using a “Hub & Spoke” paradigm.
• The mentor institution is known as “Hub,” while Mentee College is known as “Spoke.”
• It would aid in the provision of excellent education to the 3.6 crore students now enrolled in the Indian higher education system.

Conclusion

The scheme will increase the overall quality of Mentee Institutions and raise their prominence due to enhanced research, teaching, and learning practices. Mentee Institution will also have more exposure and adapt faster to best practices. It will also enhance knowledge and information exchange and chances for research cooperation and faculty development in Mentee Institutions. It will mentor 1000 Higher Education Institutions with a special focus on quality, as outlined in the UGC “Quality Mandate.” The mentor-mentee connection would benefit both institutions and give quality education to the 3.6 crore students now enrolled in India’s higher education system. The initiative will increase the overall quality of mentee institutions and raise their prominence due to enhanced research, teaching, and learning practices.