1. THE CURRENT UNIVERSITY SYSTEM - DIFFICULTIES FACED & WAYS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF TEACHING & RESEARCH DR. URMILA UKIL PRINCIPAL SAROJINI NAIDU COLLEGE FOR WOMEN Meeting with Chairman, Education Commission, 18/02/2014

2. DIFFICULTIES (from my own experience) Sarojini Naidu College established in 1956, in Dumdum, as a refugee rehabilitation college for women Sizeable section come from socially and economically less privileged sections of society Many are 1 st generation learners Intricacies of science subjects / abstract concepts of the humanities – often not suitable for many of them

3. Often, lack of English skills act as a hindrance to many aspiring students – any access to higher education has to be in English It is a BIG REALITY that we have not yet been able to evolve an alternative to English in order for students to reach greater opportunities Techniques not STUDENT – FRIENDLY : often methodologies are outdated and not scientific

4. WAYS OF IMPROVEMENT ( in my opinion) Greater thrust needs to be given to acquisition of the English language Newer teaching techniques (online education, education through international research articles, documentaries, equal emphasis on practical & theoretical learning, etc) INTER-DISCIPLINARY topics: Sociology & Social Planning, EVSM, Green Chemistry, Communication & Space Science, Tourism with Historical Perspectives, etc.

5. Improved stress on non-general education: Computer Applications, Communicative English (already existing in Sarojini Naidu College), BPO Training, Designing & Fashion Technology, etc A college should act as an EDUCATIONAL HUB – A HUB OF KNOWLEDGE – NOT ONLY OF INFORMATION - online knowledge base – online learning material for all students – access to international research articles & journals – distance education – public outreach program, collaboration with various premier research institutes, through various schools, science clubs and other grass root level public organisations.

6. CONCLUSION The vision set by the college authorities – determining factor of the benefits that students and the community as a whole can derive… The path is not easy and requires extreme and equal effort from all parties: Teachers, Students and EVEN Parents… THANK YOU!!!