Research On Affiliating System Of Higher Education In India

The number of higher education in India has expanded rapidly since its independency. And now, higher education system in India is one of the biggest one in the world. By the time of May 31st, 2005, there were 342 Universities including 18 Central Universities, 211 State Universities, 95 deemed Universities and 5 institutions established under State Legislation and 13 Institutes of National Importance, 17625 colleges, with about 10,481,000 students and 471,000 teachers. How does India, a developing country with such a big population sustain this large education system? The affiliating system of higher education plays an important role here. The quantity of Indian higher education is enlarged, however, the quality isn't improved at the same time, and the structure is not reasonable either. Most of the graduated students cannot find jobs because of lacking of qualification. What lead to this current bad situation? And what's the relationship between such situation and affiliating system of higher education in India?This study analyzes the affiliating system based on both history and reality. The system is not only considered as a part of Indian higher education, but as a whole system in research. Study begins from discriminating and defining the affiliating system of higher education in India and some related conceptions as well, then by elucidating the developing situation of higher education in India to make sure its position and effect in Indian higher education system. And then the author introduces the background, cause, development and reform of the emergence of the affiliating system of higher education in India from historical aspect. Based on the introduction, the study continue to analyze its effect on Indian higher education which incarnate in several areas such as promoting the massification and equalization of educational chance, and saving national outlay for higher education and supporting elite education and cutting down the students'individual cost. The study also points out the shortage of the affiliating system and provides an objective comment as well. The study finally sets a conclusion that although the affiliating system of higher education in India has its own shortages; it's still a good way to change the affiliated colleges into autonomous colleges.There are similarities as well as differences between the relationship of Indian universities and affiliated colleges and Chinese universities and independent colleges. That's why we put them together to make comparison and summarize the characteristics and experiences. There are so many lessons during the developing history of the affiliating system of higher education in India which certainly can provide some enlightenment to the reform and development of independent colleges in our country.