<p>The Centre’s plan to set up 100 community colleges on pilot basis as an alternate system of higher education has received support from the states.<br /><br /></p>.<p>They states expressed their “eagerness” to participate in the programme at a meeting here which was chaired by Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal. The ministry urged all the state governments to identify at least five institutions in their respective jurisdiction to start the proposed pilot projects. The HRD Ministry has formulated the community college programme in order to provide access to higher education especially to those from the disadvantaged sections.<br /><br />As per the proposal, community colleges will offer two-year programme in various disciplines which will have employment potentials, especially in industries. After completion of courses, the students will be awarded ‘associate degrees’.<br /><br />“With the continuing demand-supply mismatch, where some colleges have high cut-offs, it is imperative to ensure a seat for a local student seeking higher education in a college or <br />institution in the district in which he or she resides,” a HRD Ministry official said.<br /><br />Thus, the concept of community college is that any student, willing to pursue higher education, must be allowed and academic excellence should not be a barrier.<br /><br />“It is expected that around one lakh additional students can get access through the first 100 community colleges, proposed to be set up on pilot basis, and the number would rise as implementation progresses. This will also ensure an increase in effective gross enrolment ratio (GER),” the official said.<br /><br />The HRD ministry had discussed the proposal earlier with state education ministers at a meeting here in February. A committee of ministers to be headed by Madhya Pradesh Education Minister Archana Chitnis had then been constituted to give shape to the ambitious plan which is to be launched next year.</p>
<p>The Centre’s plan to set up 100 community colleges on pilot basis as an alternate system of higher education has received support from the states.<br /><br /></p>.<p>They states expressed their “eagerness” to participate in the programme at a meeting here which was chaired by Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal. The ministry urged all the state governments to identify at least five institutions in their respective jurisdiction to start the proposed pilot projects. The HRD Ministry has formulated the community college programme in order to provide access to higher education especially to those from the disadvantaged sections.<br /><br />As per the proposal, community colleges will offer two-year programme in various disciplines which will have employment potentials, especially in industries. After completion of courses, the students will be awarded ‘associate degrees’.<br /><br />“With the continuing demand-supply mismatch, where some colleges have high cut-offs, it is imperative to ensure a seat for a local student seeking higher education in a college or <br />institution in the district in which he or she resides,” a HRD Ministry official said.<br /><br />Thus, the concept of community college is that any student, willing to pursue higher education, must be allowed and academic excellence should not be a barrier.<br /><br />“It is expected that around one lakh additional students can get access through the first 100 community colleges, proposed to be set up on pilot basis, and the number would rise as implementation progresses. This will also ensure an increase in effective gross enrolment ratio (GER),” the official said.<br /><br />The HRD ministry had discussed the proposal earlier with state education ministers at a meeting here in February. A committee of ministers to be headed by Madhya Pradesh Education Minister Archana Chitnis had then been constituted to give shape to the ambitious plan which is to be launched next year.</p>