(There is an urgent need for the society, media and the government to develop a better understanding of self financing institutions. Prior to establishment of SF institutions in Gujarat, crores of rupees were washed down from Gujarat to other states. If the SF colleges are not granted sanction to charge reasonably sufficient amount in the form of fees, there will be a breakdown and the situation prior to 1995 will once again prevail. Needless to say that the SF colleges are bound to follow all the norms set by the AICTU and GTU.)

-        Dr C L Patel

Chairman, Charutar Vidya Mandal (CVM)

 And

 Chairman, Federation of Self Financed Technical Institutes of Gujarat (proposed)

I remember the days of 1995 (mid-nineties) when the government had ceased to provide additional financial assistance to the grant-in-aid institutions in higher education so as to allow them to undertake programs for holistic development of the youth of the society. It was at this juncture that the idea of SF institutions in the State was conceived. It was under such circumstances of inadequate funds from the govt. that SF institutions, i. e. institutions not receiving grants from the govt. began to be established to offer courses in Higher Education.

Decades before such a process commenced in Gujarat, such SF institutions were already in existence in the States of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The governments of these States were conscious to provide encouragement and support to these institutions of Higher Education. Subsequently, a large number of SF institutions were operational in these States. Until 1995, thousands of students from Gujarat were forced to study in these institutions paying huge donations, high fees, yet with a sense of subjugation. The parents were obliged to stoop to the demands of these institutions and send their wards for studies outside Gujarat.

In the year 1995, a few managements in Gujarat conceived of starting SF institutions in the field of Higher Education so as to facilitate grooming of the youth nearer home. With the permission of the State Government, they initiated the process of establishing SF institutions. During the year 1995-96, such institutions were very few. Year after year their number kept growing. At present, the seats available for the various courses are as under.

In my opinion, the management, infrastructure and quality of education of these institutions are far more superior to those of the institutions in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. We are well aware of the Gujarati students having returned from the institutions from outside on account of ragging and similar problems. Further, since liquor is legally permitted in these States, our youth fall a prey to such a vice as drinking. Not only in comparison to the Self Financed institutions outside Gujarat but in comparison to the government-run institutions within the State also the SF institutions of the State have certainly proved to be better in terms of infrastructural amenities and quality of education. This is evident from the results of the Gujarat Technological University (GTU). Results of government-run institutions are merely 20% to 40% which implies that approximately 60% to 80% youth waste one precious year of their life.

The society will have to accept the fact that the SF institutions created by philanthropist educational trusts are focused and result – oriented. They are far more superior to the government-run institutions sustained through people’s money or those spent in institutions outside Gujarat. The govt. too will have to realize that there is a dire need to empower our youth with the skills and knowledge requisite of the 21^st century and not create a mass of helpless, unemployable job-seekers.

The Gujaratis have business and entrepreneurial acumen. They have a sharp intellect. The present govt. in the State too has a developmental perspective as reflected in establishment of numerous industries. In the days to come, many more high-tech industries will be established in the State and the country. To make this endeavour successful, the need of the hour is to revolutionise education and prepare our youth for the changed industrial set up. The intellectuals of the State can make this happen. The society and the government will have to support the revolution by agreeing to pay adequate fees. Moreover, currently there is an acute shortage of senior faculty members. S F institutions which started in 1995-96, now also offer post graduate programs. Competent senior academicians are needed for such courses. We must know that only if the faculty members have a high level of competence, there will be quality in their interaction with students, something that is absolutely needed for the competitive times of today. Needless to say that such quality education requires better investment in the form of higher fees. During the last 15 years, the society at large, the govt. and media have not understood not presented a proper note of the progress of efficient S F institutions. Further, there is lack of clarity regarding admission policy which places the students and their parents in a dilemma.

It is necessary to decide the fee structure and admission policy well in advance so as to avoid legal hassles which have so far led to migration of Gujarati students to other States, despite the presence of over 300 professional institutions in Gujarat itself. If the govt. wakes up in time, that is, before the results of standard 12 are out, this grim situation (loss of a huge amount) can be averted. On the other hand, agents from other neighbouring states are extremely active to carry busloads of students and their guardians to their institutions. I do not intend to talk about these agents or institutions from the neighbouring states. Nevertheless, during this Swarnim year, it is extremely necessary for our govt. to be resourceful and active for the well-being of our Swarnim youth. No doubt I would certainly desire that the State govt. should play active role in making the authorities in-charge of the admissions to take the decisions quickly and be watchful about the agents siphoning off colossal amounts of money outside the State.

The welfare of society lies in retaining this huge amount of wealth and in providing the students of Gujarat good infrastructure in our self financed institutions. Further, as the managements of effective self financed institutions abide by all the rules and regulations of AICTE and GTU and focus on concern for the welfare of the society rather than profiteering, the self financed institutions which have come into existence during the last 15 years have been contributing a great deal in the progress of Gujarat.

A meeting of most of the self financed institutions of Gujarat was held on 2^nd May, 2010 at G.L.S. auditorium, Ahmedabad. From all over the State representatives of more than 200 SF institutions offering degree and diploma level courses in Engineering, Pharmacy, M.B.A. and M.C.A. deliberated and pondered over issues such as the fee structure and admissions. The need for deliberations with the Government of Gujarat regarding some rectifications in GTU Act passed by the GoG in the Assembly was emphasized.

At this meeting everyone emphasized the need for a state level federation. A consensus was arrived at wherein my name was suggested as the Chairperson of this Federation. In the interest of the young generation in particular and in the welfare of higher education in the state at large, I accepted this responsibility as my ‘swarnim resolution’ during this swarnim year. As the Chairman of the Charutar Vidya Mandal running 4 engineering colleges, 1 diploma engineering college, 1 school of Architecture, 3 Pharmacy colleges and numerous post graduation courses, I feel that a bridge of mutual understanding is needed between the government and SF institutions. We are planning to set up our 5^th engineering institute with specialization in Defense Technology. Along with providing support to trade and industrial development, the government needs to give priority to SF institutions in Higher Education. Strong supportive strategies are needed for the purpose of strengthening SF institutions. Supportive administration is inevitable to add rigour to Higher Education. A collaboration of various SF organizations in the state is now very much keen to bring about swarnim educational revolution in a non-political manner by joining hands with the government. Cooperation from the ministers and bureaucracy is greatly expected in this endeavor.

SF institutions in Gujarat are established with certain rules and regulations. These institutions are bound to follow the rules prescribed by the sanctioning authorities and to develop infrastructure as per the norms of the government, AICTE and GTU. When the Fee Committee did not consider the appeal of raising the fees, these institutions approached the High Court of Gujarat which decreed that the Fee Committee is merely a monitoring body. That is, it is supposed to supervise how the money collected through the fee is spent. The High Court as well as the Supreme Court have decreed that the SF institutions be allowed to charge the fee that is viable and affordable. Under my chairmanship of Gujarat State SFI Engineering Colleges Association numerous requests have been made to the fee-committee in this regard. If the SF institutions do not get sufficient fees as per their requirement then they will be forced to stop functioning and the State will have to suffer a great loss. Even after much representation the Fee Committee has not yet taken any favorable decision. During the meeting on 2^nd May, it was decided that once again representation be made before the Fee Committee to decide the fee that different SF institutions can collect. As per the norms of AICTE and GTU, to run institutions efficiently and in the interest of the students Rs. 75000 for engineering, Rs 1 lakh for pharmacy and Rs 125000 for P.G. courses should be stipulated. Self financed institutions cannot take the fees exceeding this limit. However, depending on their intake they may take fees less than the stipulated limit.

Through the medium of the newly established federation it has been thought to place this matter to the Fee Committee, Admission Committee and Government, as well.

As per the decision taken by the core committee of the federation in the meeting held at Ahmedabad on May 3, 2010, after proposing this it has been planned to meet the Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi to take decisions keeping in view the welfare of education during this swarnim year for swarnim progress of education in the State. The State Government has also accepted implementation of the 6^th pay scale but the fees determined for SF institutions are as per the previous scale (5^th pay scale). The fee once decided  by the Fee Fixation Committee remains unchanged for the next seven years.There is a need to consider the monetary burden of the 6^th pay for the next seven years, the source of income for better education and salaries to senior academicians along with necessary infrastructure. The fee structure must be revamped in the context of these challenges.

It is a joint liability of the Fee Committee, Admission Committee, Government and media to create an ambiance that facilitates well-being of the students and their guardians and the State at large. Or else, the same situation of the mid 90’s will be repeated when colossal degree of wealth was washed out to other States.

At this juncture, as the Chairman of the federation of all the managements of self financed institutions, it is my humble request to the Fee Committee, Admission-Committee and Government to take appropriate decisions before the declaration of the result of 12^th standard so as to avoid the inconvenience to the students, their parents and managements. In the final analysis, all the decisions must be taken in the larger interests of the society and in accordance with the norms of AICTE and GTU.

Academicians have been ignored while passing the GTU Act in the Assembly. It seems that all the decisions are taken by the government officers and Vice Chancellors appointed by the Government. It is expected that whatsoever action is taken regarding GTU Act ought to be with concurrence of bodies such as the Academic Council and Board of Studies. There is no provision for any representation of thousands of experts and principals of self financed institutions operating under the GTU. Hence the State Government essentially needs to make certain modifications in this GTU Act availing guidance of experts. It is absolutely necessary to orient all activities of higher professional education in the entire State towards the welfare of students. This newly established federation has made a Swarnim educational resolution of creating  Swarnim  Educational Revolution by establishing a rapport with the State Government during this swarnim year.

[Dr. C. L. Patel is the Chairman of Charutar Vidya Mandal, the largest Educational Trust in Gujarat and the Chairman of the newly established Federation of self financed technical institutions of Gujarat (proposed)]

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