Educationists primed for RUSA, workshop held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 27 2013 : A one-day preparatory workshop for the Principals of Government and Aided colleges of Manipur on preparation of institutional perspective plans, strategic plan, State higher education plans etc for RUSA (Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) was held today at Classic Hotel under the aegis of the Manipur State Higher Educational Council, Government of Manipur.

The inaugural function was chaired by Education Minister M Okendro as chief guest, RUSA National Authority Consultant for Manipur Neha Yadav and RUSA National Authority Consultant Prof B Venkatesh Kumar of Tata Institute of Social Sciences as guests of honour and Commissioner (Higher and Technical Education) P Vaiphei as president.

Principals of various Government and Aided colleges of Manipur attended the workshop.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Prof B Venkatesh Kumar said that RUSA is one of the ambitious schemes launched by the Government of India.

Manipur is one of the 17 States selected for the scheme.

"The schemes will deliver large sums of money which will help in building good institutions having such facilities as library, hostels, laboratories and more faculties.

But what is more important for the success of the scheme is accountability and transparency, quality and performance", Prof Venkatesh said.

Stating that vocational training should be a part of mainstream education, he said "There are challenges and a whole lot of promises, and I hope Manipur will be a leading state in implementing RUSA" .

In his speech, Minister Okendro said that education sector in Manipur has been adversely affected by the long drawn insurgency movement.

With the capacity built up through central intervention in school education through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and subsequently in secondary education through Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), many of the issues in school and secondary education have been addressed to a great extent.

The biggest challenge is the issues pertaining to higher and technical education.

The financial aspects of RUSA provide 90 per cent funding by Government of India and 10 per cent State share for North Eastern States as compared to the funding ratio of 65:35 for other States.

The Higher Education Department has been planning to set up new model colleges at Tamei in Tamenglong district, Thanlon in Churachandpur district, Phungyar in Ukhrul district and Sugnu in Thoubal district, Okendro said.

The proposal to club DM College of Arts, DM College of Commerce, DM College of Science and Teachers' Education for establishment of a State university is now expected to get proper support under RUSA as RUSA intends to set up 200 universities across the country in the next 10 years.

The focus of Higher Education Department for improvement of teaching and quality of teaching faculty would receive a boost with improvement of faculty under RUSA.

This is essential to bring up the standards of colleges in Manipur, he stated.

Active support and guidance of RUSA National Consultant Prof Venkatesh and assistance by RUSA Technical Support Group member Neha Yadav would help colleges frame a concrete need-based institutional perspective plans and in properly highlighting the needs for infrastructure support, teaching faculty support, expansion initiatives etc through strategic plans and the State higher education plans under RUSA, Okendro added.

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