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NEW DELHI: The Centre is preparing a five-year plan for higher education with five main goals: raise enrolment (GER), improve employment and apprenticeships, build international links, upgrade quality and strengthen digital systems. The plan relies on “big-ticket” projects, state-wise targets and performance-linked funding. The quality measures include clearer accreditation bands, so that students can compare programmes easily and programmes that remain weak face closure; a national apprenticeship and placement exchange that will be integrated with campuses; and Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) targets being set for each state. Financing will separate capital spending (buildings, labs, servers) from operational spending (faculty, maintenance, software), with officials indicating a tilt towards results-based grants, wherein funds are released after verification of milestones. As per the internal report accessed by TOI, stronger institutions will support nearby campuses through mentor-mentee clusters, sharing teachers, labs and lesson plans to help lift outcomes quickly. Funding will be tied to performance on learning and placements and not just inputs such as infrastructure. “Clear goals, clear owners, clear data – that’s the approach,” a senior official with education ministrysaid. To connect education with employment, the National Apprenticeship and Placement Exchange will be integrated with campus ERPs, so employers can post openings and students can apply, track interviews and receive offers on one platform. “Degrees must connect to jobs. A single exchange stitched into campus ERPs will cut friction for students and recruiters,” the official added. For international students, a single window will handle visa, FRRO registration and housing to reduce paperwork and make Indian campuses easier to join.
