Date/Time
Date(s) - 30/01/2015
12:00 am
Location
New Delhi
Categories No Categories
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched a new scheme, which provides for the establishment of a “Centre for Fostering Social Responsibility and Community Engagement (CFSRCE)”. With this, finally, the vision in the 12th Plan has been operationalized. This is indeed an important progress in on the policy front, in this important field. The purpose of the consultation is to deliberate upon the ways in which this new Scheme of UGC can be utilised to deepen and strengthen the partnership between university and community ( and civil society) to work together in addressing some of the critical socio-economic challenges around the university. This partnership may entail research partnership, partnership in capacity building and teaching, and policy advocacy.
The 12th Five Year Plan has, for the first time, included an action agenda in this respect:
“In the face of growing isolation of HEIs from society, there is a need for renewed effort for HEIs for genuinely engaging with community, conduct socially relevant research and education and foster social responsibility amongst students as part of their core mission. For this purpose, a National Initiative to Foster Social Responsibility in Higher Education would be launched. An Alliance for Community Engagement, an independent association of practitioners, academics and community leaders would be created to support its implementation.”
Purpose:
1. To provide an overview on the consultative meet and opportunities thereon.
2. To reflect on the role played by the UGC, its expectations and key considerations.
3. To deliberate on the draft proposals prepared by the University
4. To identify strategies to scale up community engagement in the state in light of the new scheme.
5. To map out way-forwards.
Participants:
Nearly twenty participants drawn from different fields such as academia/universities, government and civil society.
Programe Outline
10:30 – 10:35 am: Welcome, Ms. Wafa Singh, Program Officer, PRIA; India-Coordinator, UNESCO Chair in Community Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education
10.35 – 11:00 am: Overview, Vision of the 12th Plan for fostering Social Responsibility & Opportunities in the new UGC Scheme, Dr Rajesh Tandon, Co-chair, UNESCO Chair in Community Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education
11:00 – 11:30 am: Key considerations in applying for the Scheme, UGC Perspective, Dr Pankaj Mittal, Joint Secretary, UGC
11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Open discussions
12:30 – 01:00 pm: Concrete steps for preparation of the scheme
01:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 – 03:30 pm: Review of the available draft proposals
3:30 – 04:00 pm: Next steps & Ways forward
04:00 pm: Vote of thanks