High time to launch world class discipline scheme in India

What is IoE Scheme?

The Ministry of Education has launched the scheme of Institute of Eminence in 2017 under which several public funded institutions were awarded the IoE status with special financial support to boost up their academic and research infrastructure which could enhance their global reputation primarily when it comes to International Rankings.

How does IoE Scheme Help?

The Institutes which have been granted the IoE status have been utilizing IoE funds along with the HEFA Grants to build up their Infrastructure and research capacity. This would play a vital role in achieving the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 50% by 2035 in the long run. However, when it comes to innovation it is high time that India must focus on boosting the existing disciplines as well as launching new disciplines.

A robust strategic evaluation of the disciplines with clear cut mandate to do away with programs which are redundant and obsolete in order to focus on the ones which align with the modern technological advancement is the need of the hour.

An ambitious plan, for the top 100 NIRF ranked institute, directed towards achieving a world class discipline status accompanied with special incentives and funding structure must be placed for the selected disciplines.

China has invested heavily in higher education and internationalization since mid-1990s and has launched several quality improvement programs like Project 211, Project 985, double first class and the C9 league etc. in a phased manner. Its high time for India to catch up for the lost period. Steps like launching of NEP 2019, implementation of IoE scheme will prove to be a game changer however to boost innovation a must more targeted approach would be required.