1. Challenges of Maintaining
Excellence in Higher Education:
Role of AIU
Prof. Beena Shah
Secretary General
Association of Indian Universities
New Delhi
E.Mail ID: sgoffice@aiuweb.org 1

2. The Sustainable Excellence in Higher
Education: Main Aspects
Address the status of Higher Education in
the Country
Challenges faced by HEIs and sustain for
long term on global standards
Suggestions that can Improve the Quality
of Higher Education
Interventions & Guidance to Overcome
the Challenges in Today’s Change
Process E.Mail ID: sgoffice@aiuweb.org 2

3. History of Indian Education
Ancient Period – It was Based on Caste and Social Status
Education was only for Brahmins and rulers family
Mughal Period – Education was Elitist based
British Period – Colonial rule contributed to an legacy of
Education System but reinforced pre - existing elitist
tendencies
Modern Period- Pt. Nehru envisaged India as a secular
democracy and used education as a tool to achieve economic
prosperity & social equity, imbued with inclusiveness and
national pride.
Since the era of Rajeev Gandhi, various innovative reforms
were implemented. In continuation, Right to Education Bill
2009 has been executed in the whole country. XIth 5-yr Plan is
dedicated to education. Education budget in Higher Education
is enhanced 10 times to the Xth 5-yr Plan. 3
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4. Modern Higher Education System
Academic Qualification Framework
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5. Institutional Framework: University Act/Legislation
Sl. University Act/Legislation
No.
1. Central University Act of Parliament
2. State University State Legislative Act
3. Deemed University Central Govt. notification
4. Open Central/State Respective Act
University
5. Institutes of National Act of Parliament
Importance
6. Other Institutions State Legislative Act and
affiliated to the University
7. Autonomous College Status given by UGC
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6. Regulatory Framework
Central Government
Regulatory Body Brief Function
UGC – UGC Act 1956 Responsible for Coordination, determination, and
maintenance of standards and release of grants to universities
/institutions and research organization
AICTE - Act 1987 Regulates technical Education i.e. Mgmt., Engg., etc
MCI - MCI Act 1956 Regulates medical Education and grants registration for
(amended in 1993) medical professionals
DEC- IGNOU Act 1985 Regulates ODL education programmes
PCI- Pharmacy Act Regulates Pharmacy Education and grants registration for
1948 Pharmacy professionals
INC- INC Act 1947 Regulates Nursing Education and grants registration for
qualified nurses
COA- Architects Act Regulates architectural Education and grants registration for
1972 architects
BCI- Advocate Act Regulates promotes and maintains standards of legal
6
1961 Education E.Mail ID: sgoffice@aiuweb.org

7. Contd…
Regulatory Frame Work
DCI‐ Dentists Act‐ 1948 Regulates Dental Education
ICAR‐ Has established various research centres in order to meet
agricultural research and agriculture Education
NCTE‐ NCTE Act 19 Regulate and facilitate planned and coordinated development
of the teacher education system
CCH‐ CCH Act 1973 Regulates Homeopathy Education and grants registration for
Homeopathic professionals
CCIM‐ CCIM Act 1970 Regulate Indian medicine education and grants registration for
Indian medicine professionals
RCI – RCI Act 1992 Has twin responsibility; standardizing and regulating the
training of personnel and professional in the field of
rehabilitation and special education
NCRI‐ Promote rural higher Education
SCHE Each states of India has its own higher education council which
prepare coordinated programmes of development of higher
education
7
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8. Status of
Higher Education
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9. Growth in Number of Universities
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10. Growth in Number of Higher Education
Institutes (HEIs)
Number of Colleges
10
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11. Type of Institutions
Type of Institutions No of Institutions
2006 2011
Central Universities 20 42
State Universities 217 260
Deemed Universities 104 130
Institute Established Under State 5 10
Legislations
Institutions of National Importance 13 41
Private Universities 8 64
Total 373 547
Colleges 17625 25951
Grant Total 18365 27045
11
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12. Breakup of Universities
(2011)
Type of Universities Number of Percentage
Universities
Conventional Universities 280 51.18
Technical Universities 138 25.22
Medical Universities 45 8.22
Agricultural Universities 42 7.67
Open Universities 15 2.74
Law Universities 14 2.55
Sanskrit Universities 13 2.37
Total 547 100
12
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13. Number of Higher Education Institutions
(Global Scenario 2010)
2011 13
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14. Student Enrolments (in Millions) in Higher Education
(Global Scenario 2009)
*
14
India 2010 E.Mail ID: sgoffice@aiuweb.org

15. Gross Enrolment Ratio in Higher Education
(Global Scenario 2010)
26%
21%
Developed countries avg. GER 54.6% Countries in transition 36.3 % Global
15
Avg 40% E.Mail ID: sgoffice@aiuweb.org

16. Challenges in Higher Education
1. Access
2. Equity
3. Quality Perspective
4. Funding
5. Imbalances in Student Mobility
6. Faculty Shortage
7. Declining Trend of Enrolment in Conventional
Programmes
8. Rapid Privatization
9. Entry of Foreign Universities
16
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17. 1. Access
17
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18. 1.(a) Growth of Student Enrolment (in million)
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19. 1.(b) Students/Women Enrolment Faculty-wise: 2008-2009
Faculty Total %age Women %age
Enrollment of total Enrollment of total
Arts 5875532 43.07 2772580 49.08
Science 2612406 19.15 1129255 19.99
Commerce/ Management 2486901 18.23 915719 16.21
Education 286478 2.10 180771 3.20
Engineering/ Technology 1313706 9.63 276806 4.90
Medicine 446087 3.27 202803 3.59
Agriculture 80482 0.59 15253 0.27
Animal Husbandry Science 21827 0.16 4519 0.08
Law 381971 2.80 89256 1.58
Others 136418 1.00 62140 1.10
Total Enrolment 13641808 100.00 5649102 100.00
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Source: UGC Annual Report 2008‐2009 19

20. 2. Equity
20
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21. 2. Equity
Large variations are in the enrolment ratio
among various categories of population
based on Gender, Socio-Economic Status,
Locality (Rural/Urban/Remote/ Tribal, etc.)
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22. 3. Quality
Perspective
22
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23. 3.(a.1) Regulation of Higher Education Institutions
Screening to Maintain the Quality
1.Central/State Govt. – Permission to
Establish
2.UGC – Approval to award the degree
3.16 regulatory Bodies – Permission to
Start Courses under their preview
4.Accreditation Agencies: NAAC, NBA,
AB, DEC, etc.- To assess and acredit the
Higher Education Institutions under their
preview E.Mail ID: sgoffice@aiuweb.org 23

24. 3.(a.2) NAAC Grading: Determinants of Quality and
Quality Gaps in Universities
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25. 3.(a.3) NAAC Grading of Universities and Colleges
2010
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26. 3.(b) Governance: HEIs Governance be role models of
corporate governance including ethical standard,
openness and transparency. The main obstacle are:
a) Involvement political and non academic persons in
Governing Council/Executive Council
b) Absence of Academic Committees
c) Inadequate Student Involvement in Governance
d) Insufficient cooperation between Industry & Other
Stakeholders
e) Absence of Merit-based incentive scheme (including
fixed and variable pay concept)
f) Lack of Autonomy and Freedom of Work due to
Control and Interference of Govt.
g) Absence of Collegiate Spirit among faculty
h) Education being a concurrent subject many times
differences arise between centre and state Govts.
26
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27. 3.(c) Content, Curriculum and Delivery
In view of Quality Perspective-
What is taught & how to be taught are very important
Quality, Relevance and Flexibility are essential
component in curriculum and content development
Lack of ICT Infrastructure, trained man power and
adaptability will are factors prolonged adoption of
reformed Pedagogy in classrooms
EDUSAT, Virtual Classrooms Teaching & ODL System are
yet to take momentum
Transition from Conventional Pedagogy to Online,
Electronic Media
27
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28. 4. Funding
28
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29. 4.(a) Central government Total Expenditure on
Higher Education (In Rs. Billion)
29
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30. 4.(b) Central Government Fund Distribution over
Different Sectors of Higher Education (2009)
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31. 4.(c) Public Expenditure on Higher Education as a %age of GDP
(Global Scenario)
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32. 5. Imbalance in
Student Mobility
32
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33. 5.(a) Mobility of Indian Students to Foreign Countries
(2009-10)
Country Numbers
USA 104,897
Australia 79,000
UK 27,500
Canada 9,600
France 1,700
Germany 4,500
Japan 546
Malaysia 2,000
NZ 6,000
Thailand 357
Taiwan 500
Total 236600
Due to racial attacks – declined in 2008‐09 – 94,000
33
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34. 5.(b) International Students in Indian Universities
Continent wise (2008-09)
Continents 2008-09
Asia 16004
Africa 4193
America (N & S) 614
Europe 304
Australasia 66
Miscellaneous 597
Total 21778
Source: AIU Database; Received Information from 127 univs
34
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35. 5.(c) International Students in Indian Universities
Top Ten Countries
(2008‐09)
Countries 2008-09
Iran 2972
Ethiopia 1937
United Arab Emirate 1726
Nepal 1711
Afghanistan 1192
Saudi Arabia 1043
China 873
Sri Lanka 742
Bhutan 680
Kuwait 490
Total 13366
35
Source: AIU Database E.Mail ID: sgoffice@aiuweb.org

36. 5. (d) International Students in Indian Universities
(Top ten Universities)
(2008‐09)
Universities Male Female Total
University of Pune, Pune --- --- 3507
University of Mysore, Mysore 894 585 1479
University of Delhi, Delhi 699 525 1224
Manipal University, Manipal 583 641 1224
Osmania University, Hyderabad 946 221 1167
Symbiosis International University, Pune 622 485 1107
VIT University, Vallore 348 106 454
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 336 114 450
Alagappa University, Karaikudi 253 186 439
Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi 3907 1954 5861
Total 8588 4817 16912
Source: AIU Database 36
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37. 6. Faculty Shortage: Lucrative
salaries & glamour particularly in
the Industries of Private Sector
and Multinational companies, it
has become for universities to
attract the talent
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38. 7. Declining Enrolment in Traditional Fields of
Knowledge
8. Privatization: increasing rapidly due to-
1. Inadequate number of Quality Institutions
2. Out of the Entrants appeared in Entrance test only 1%
in IIMs & 2% in IITs could get admission.
3. Lack of resources to meet out the increasing demand
for Higher Education
Therefore, Liberal Policies introduced for private sector
to share the responsibility
Even now self financed programmes permitted in public
funded universities/colleges
Due to faculty shortage unable to maintain quality
38
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39. 8.(a) Share in % age of Public Sector in Higher Education
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40. 40
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41. 9. Entry of Foreign Universities:
Why Need FEP in India?
Liberalization, Globalization & Internationalization of Higher
Education have opened gates
To cope with rising demands of Higher Education, and with
changing scenario in education world over
To meet the demand of students to provide access into quality
institutions
To enhance accessibility from GER 12.5%, in higher education
institutions to –
15 percent by 2015
30 percent by 2020
Quality Assurance in higher education is a major global
concern for Competitive environment, FEPs are the best bet
International Mobility with respects to students, teachers and
even the institutions have taken place in a very high
magnitude
41
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42. 9.a Entry of Foreign Universities:
Favorable Points for Foreign Educational Institutions in India
India has more than 55 million population of 17-25
years age group.
The youth population has sound knowledge of English
language
What is desired from FEP(s)?
Programmes offered by FEP should be in conformity
with the standards in their parent country and laid
down by competent authority in India i.e.-
curriculum, duration, faculty, etc.
FEPs should not be concentrated up to metros or big
cities but also encouraged by giving incentives to
open their institutes in the rural/remote areas of our
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42

43. Suggestions to Improve the Quality of Higher
Education
Action Research in Education
Action research provides a positive avenue for
empowerment, engagement, creativity and generation
of new knowledge for discarding the bonds of
restrictive legislation, bureaucratization, and isolation
To resolve Faculty Development & Research
Issues
Adequate Use of ICT in delivery of Education
Strong Liaison between Institutions and
Corporate for funding & Joint Collaborations
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44. Higher Education be Affordable
44
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45. 45
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46. Interventions
Through Reforms
To Address Challenges
in Higher Education
46
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47. Intervention through Reforms in Higher Education
Education for all is the basic objective behind
Reforms, Conforming to Millennium Development
Goal
Right to Education Act 2009 executed in the whole
country and Rs. 17100 Billion allocated in the XIth
plan budget for execution
National Knowledge Commission (NKC) established
in 2005 to review status of Higher Education in the
country and give the recommendations
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48. Access and Expansion Aspects -
1500 universities and 3500 colleges of higher education
Manifold increase in the quality institutions viz IITs, IIMs,
NITs, IIITs, AIIMs and Central Universities
Emphasis given to address the gender, regional,
geographical and social inequality gaps
Due emphasis is given to issues of access, equity, relevance,
quality, governance and networking of higher education
institutions through ICT as well as enhancement to Gross
Enrolment Ratio (GER)
Preparing frameworks for Public Private Partnership in
Higher Education
Opening of 500 new polytechnics, 210 new Community
Colleges in un-served districts
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49. (contd...)
The Government of India, took immediate
action on the recommendations of NKC
Today we have 15 IITs, 4 IIITs, 13 IIMs, 20
NITs, 30 Central Universities. In majority New
Universities are established in rural areas
16 World Class Universities and 3 Indian
Institute of Science Education and Research
(IISERs), 3 AIIMs, are about to come
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50. Equity Aspects - (contd...)
Setting up of Equal opportunity Office in the
universities to look into aspects of
inclusiveness, affordability and all schemes for
disadvantaged group be operational
To reduce the gap and enhance the quality and
excellence between have & have not's are also
covered by UGC for receiving grant
GoI, Facilitated Soft Education Loan to
aspirants of Higher Education through Loan
Guarantee Authority
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51. (contd...)
Financial Aspects -
The 11th five year plan of India is designated
as the Education Plan
Enhanced budget for education manifold from
Rs. 540,000 million in Xth Plan to RS 2370,000
(> 4 times) Million in the XIth Plan
Enhanced budget for higher education from Rs
80,000 million (in the Xth Plan) to Rs 849,430
million(> 10 times) in the XI Plan
Provision made for Special support to
universities/colleges of rural/remote areas
51
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52. (contd...)
Sustainable Quality Maintenance –
9 Universities, 100 colleges recognized as potential for excellence by
UGC
500 centres/departments identified under special assistance
programme by UGC in universities
For quality improvement and uniformity, UGC has issued guidelines
to bring some Academic and administrative reforms viz
Entrance Test is mandatory for admission in M. Phil. and Ph. D.
programmes
Semester system, credit transfer and credit accumulation are to
be adopted by all universities including conventional universities
Accreditation made mandatory for all Higher Education Institutions
Encouraged Networking through WWW, WAN & LAN to enhance
the efficiency and quick information downloading & transmission
52
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53. Proposed Bills for Bringing Regulatory Reforms
in the Higher Education Sector
Legislation Objective
NCHER-2000 Single super regulator for higher
education
FEI (regulation of Entry and To regulate the entry and operation of
operation) Bill - 2010 FEIs
The Educational Tribunals Bill - Settlement of education disputes
2010
The Universities for Innovation Bill - To provide regulatory framework for
2010 establishing world class universities
National Accreditation Regulatory To regulates process of accreditation
authority
The prohibition of unfair Practices To prohibit unfair practices in the
in Technical & medical educational institutions under reference
institutions and Uni. -2010
All are under process of approvaL/implementation 53
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54. Role of AIU
54
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55. Role of AIU in Sustainable Quality Maintenance
AIU is a 85 year old autonomous body of Higher
Education
Established on March 23, 1925 name as IUB at their
own initiative of 14 Indian Universities
Steadily till 1945 IUB became stronger, popular and
established a place of immense importance in Higher
Education and Proved its existence as authentic
spokesperson of universities.
In 1973, IUB renamed as AIU with same motto – “From
Association is Born Integration”
AIU, being an Apex body of Higher Education
represents Indian Universities at National/ International
forums E.Mail ID: sgoffice@aiuweb.org (contd…) 55

56. Continued….
To Coordinate and Establish Liaison between
Univs., Govts. (State/Federal) and Agencies
(National/International).
Provides active support to its members for
quality assurance, teaching, training and
research.
Internationalization of education, equivalence
of degrees between Indian and foreign
universities, harmonization of Higher
Education in global perspective are the top
priorities of AIU.
E.Mail ID: sgoffice@aiuweb.org
56

57. Continued….
Maintains Standards & Autonomy of Universities.
AIU is the only organization in the country which
certifies equivalence to foreign and Indian degrees/
diplomas in general & technical education.
Facilitates and Provides services for equivalence of
degrees to Federal Govt.: Employment Agencies/
Recruitment Boards and Indian Banks
Organizes Capacity Building Training Programmes,
Research Conventions, Workshops/ Conferences, etc.
to improve Quality of Teaching, Examination, Research
and Scholarly Publications.
E.Mail ID: sgoffice@aiuweb.org (contd…) 57

58. Continued….
Publishes Universities Handbook, Newsletters, Books, AIU
News Weekly Journal, Monographs, etc.
Promotes International Cooperation between AIU &
International Associations/Agencies for active academic
partnership between Foreign and Indian Universities in
areas of common interest
Maintains Up-to-date data bases of accomplishment of
Universities and its dissemination to user agencies
AIU Organizes & Promotes Inter University Sports and
Youth Welfare Programmes for all round personality
development of students
Organizes roundtable meetings of VCs at Zonal and
National levels on emerging areas of Higher Education
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59. Networking of Institutions (Inter & Intra)
1. Between Department within University
2. Between/among universities
a) Within Country
b) Indian & Foreign
Aspects of Academic Cooperations
Sharing of Infrastructure
Mobility of Students/Faculty
Knowledge Sharing
Joint Research Projects
Joint Publications
Joint Seminar/Workshops/Training Programme
Technology Transfer
Cooperations in Youth Affairs & Sports Activities
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60. MoUs between AIU and International Organizations
Sl. Name of Organization Sl. Name of Organization
No. No.
1. Universities Australia 5. Danish School of Education,
(earlier AVCC) University of Aarthus,
Cophenhagen
2. Rectors Conference of 6. Association of Universities in
Germany (HRK) Netherlands (VSNU)
3. Indo French Consortium 7. Association of Universities and
of Universities (IFCU) Colleges in Canada (AUCC)
4. Institute of International 8. Universities Scotland (US)
Education (IIE), New
9. Foundation of International
York
Cooperation in Higher
Education of Taiwan (R.O.C.)
(FICHET) 60
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61. Indian Ocean Rim – Association for Regional Cooperation
(IOR‐ARC)
1. Educational exchanges amongst the IOR‐ARC countries
have made rapid strides in the recent years.
2. Australia and Singapore are the most favorites
destination for higher education among the IOR‐ARC
3. India is a substantial recipient of large number of
students from Iran, UAE, Oman, Mauritius and Yemen,
Sri Lanka
4. Indian Government continues to facilitate and further
strengthen these exchanges for greater people‐to‐
people contacts India
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62. AIU
Interface with International Organisations
International Sports World Bank,
Federation, Brussells Washington
(FISU) (WB)
University Mobility in United Nations
the Indian Ocean Educational, Scientific
UMIOR Rim and Cultural
(UMIOR) Organisation, Paris
(UNESCO)
Commonwealth of Institute of
Learning, Canada International
(COL) Education, New York
(IIE)
International Association of
Association of International
Universities (IAU) Educators (NAFSA)
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63. The Main Features of MoUs
Exchange of students/Research Scholars
Exchange of Faculty/Technical staff
Joint Research Activities-Projects, Publications
Joint Educational Programmes-Dual/Joint
Degree
Exchange of Visits
Joint Seminars
E.Mail ID: sgoffice@aiuweb.org Contd… 63

64. To promote equivalence of degree/diploma, mutual
credit recognition of programmes between Indian and
foreign universities
Promote Mutual Credit Recognition between Member
Institutions of AIU
Promote Open Access to Scientific and Scholarly
Publications
Information Sharing between Associations &
Universities
Linkage Internet Websites for Disseminate
Information
Internships, Research Cooperations and Joint
Capacity Building Projects
To explore cultural and sporting exchange through links
with the common wealth/world university games
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65. Organized International Forum on Higher Education
Nov. 27, 2006 University of Mumbai, Mumbai
Nov. 27, 2007 Anna University, Chennai
Nov. 18, 2008 North Eastern Hill University,
Shillong
Nov. 14, 2009 Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar
Nov. 12-14, Bharati Vidyapeeth University,
2010 Pune
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66. If universities are to contribute their best, it cannot
be by each university contributing individually … I
think, it will be possible for us in the universities, to
come to some agreed solutions on major problems
and if this is done, ….. We shall be serving a very
useful purpose.
Sir A. L. Mudaliar
Former President, AIU
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67. E.Mail ID: sgoffice@aiuweb.org 67