The University Grants Commission has taken a courageous step towards reforming the roles of vice-chancellors and teachers in our universities. By opening the doors for successful industrialists to step into the role of vice-chancellors, we create a robust university-industry connection. Why should those who create jobs for degree holders not have a hand in shaping the educational landscape?

The National Education Policy has faced sluggish implementation for five years, leaving higher education in turmoil. The current state of institutions like Agra University is a testament to the urgent need for change.

Read in Hindi: कुलपति चयन में पारदर्शिता से खत्म होगा 'शिक्षा माफिया'

In India, the demand for reform in higher education has been long overdue. The Modi government's NEP 2020 and the UGC's recent initiatives could signal a transformative shift, one that promises transparency in the selection of vice-chancellors and an end to the 'education mafia' plaguing our institutions. This is not merely an option; it is a necessity for the future of our higher education system.

Political interference in the appointment of Vice Chancellors has been a serious problem in India in the last few decades. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education-2022, there are more than 1,100 universities in India, but there is a huge disparity in their academic quality. Political recommendations have played an important role in the selection of Vice Chancellors in more than 70 per cent of universities. Prioritizing influential relationships over merit has affected academic excellence. Many universities have lagged globally in terms of research and innovation due to inappropriate leadership.

Recently, the UGC has issued new guidelines to make the Vice Chancellor selection process more transparent and merit-based. Now the Vice Chancellors will be selected by an independent expert committee, which will include eminent academicians, administrators and industry experts. Academic achievements, leadership ability and administrative experience will be given priority, which will lead to the emergence of qualified and visionary leadership.

The selection process will be made transparent and public, which will prevent any kind of biased appointments. UGC has also made several other reforms to make higher education more inclusive and practically effective. Emphasis is being laid on increasing the representation of women, marginalized communities and persons with disabilities in faculty recruitment. Involving professionals from industry and administration in teaching and university administration will give practical knowledge to students.

Performance-based incentives and a national registry of teachers will improve the quality of teaching. Universities have been given more autonomy, allowing them to formulate policies in line with local needs and global competition.

Academician Professor Paras Nath Chaudhary says, "In today's global scenario, higher education cannot be limited to academic knowledge only. More than 80 per cent of graduates in India are deprived of the skills required for employment. Universities need leadership that can build strong partnerships with industries and train students in line with market requirements."

Under the new reforms, universities are being given more freedom for research and innovation, allowing them to compete internationally. Some state governments are considering these reforms as an attack on their autonomy. However, experts say these changes are necessary to eliminate vested interests in the education sector and improve quality.

India's higher education system is still stuck in the colonial-era rote-learning-based system, which is unable to meet the needs of the 21st century. These reforms of NEP and UGC lay the foundation for a modern, inclusive and innovation-based education system.

Indeed, the time has come to embrace these reforms wholeheartedly. Universities need to be transformed into centres of innovation and social change by eliminating political interference and the influence of the education mafia. This will enable India to strengthen its place in the global higher education landscape and prepare a more competitive workforce for the future.