ABOUT COLLEGE

1. BHARATIYA VIDYA BHAVAN’S H. SOMANI COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE, & J.P. COLLEGE OF COMMERCE & MGT. STUDIES PRESENTS NATIONAL LEVEL SEMINAR ON “HIGHER EDUCATION – A DIRECTIONAL IMPETUS”

2. ABOUT COLLEGE • Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Hazarimal Somani College of Arts and Science, Shri Manubhai Maneklal Junior College of Arts and Science and Jayaramdas Patel College of Commerce and Management Studies falls under the umbrella of the prestigious Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and therefore reminisces with pride on the life and work of its Founder President Kulapati Dr. K.M Munshiji. • Our Mission and Vision statement is derived from the teachings of Munshiji viz : the purpose of any educational institution is not only for providing training, information or skills for better jobs but more importantly to infuse a sense of devotion to higher values and introduction of seriousness of purpose in the broader sense of translating them to life with dedication.

3. In accordance with these principles Hazarimal Somani College of Arts and Science came into existence in 1965, facilitated by a magnificent contribution by Shri G.D Somani in memory of his father Shri Hazarimal Somani. Having gained UGC recognition in the same year, the college within a span of four years of its existence was permanently affiliated to the Bombay University (University of Mumbai) in 1969. The Junior College of Arts and Science came into existence in 1975. • Observing the changing trends and the demand for Commerce Courses, the Bcom Degree course became operational in 1980, made possible by a generous contribution by Shri Jayaramdas Patel. • Assessed and Accredited by NAAC in early 2004, the college offers BA/Bsc/Bcom/Mcom (Management) and MSc (Chemistry) Courses. In addition two self-financing courses namely BMS and Bcom (Accounting and Finance) were introduced in 1999 and 2004 respectively. • ‘Amrutam tu Vidya” – ‘Knowledge is Nectar’ is our Mission statement and our vision is to foster an environment where students achieve self fulfillment in their lives and thereby become useful citizens of the society.

4. Our college has regularly organized Seminars at the state, national and international levels. International seminar - 2010 International seminar - 2012 National level seminar - 2006 State level seminar - 2005

5. A State level Seminar on “Maharashtra facing the Sahyadrian Challenges to Prosperity” in September 2005. This Seminar was inaugurated by Shri Jayantrao Patil – then Hon Minister for Finance & Planning –Government of Maharashtra.

6. A National Level Seminar on “Global Reins in India’s Hands by 2020” in September 2006, which was inaugurated by Shri Suresh Prabhu – then Hon M.P & Ex- Union Minister.

7. An International Seminar on “Economics of Higher Education – Changing Role in the New Global Order” in September 2010. Shri Ashok Chavan – then Hon Chief Minister of Maharashtra was the Chief Guest & Shri Jayantrao Patil – then Hon Minister for Rural Development was the Guest of Honor.

8. An International Seminar on “Symbiosis between Academia & Corporate World – A Step Forward” in November 2012. Eminent Scientist Dr. Anil Kakodkar inaugurated the Seminar & Shri Jayantrao Patil - then Hon Minister for Rural Development, Finance and Planning – Government of Maharashtra was the Guest of Honor. Shri Rajesh Tope – Hon Minister for Higher & Technical Education & Power – Government of Maharashtra, was the Chief Guest at the Valedictory function

9. An ISBN Publication encompassing Articles by several educationists was released on this occasion. Leading Personalities like Dr. Ajit Ranade – Chief Economist Aditya Birla Group, Mr. M.N Chaini – then President Maharashtra Economic Development Council & President (Corporate Affairs) _ Reliance Industries, Shri Venkatramani – then Regional Director TCS, Renowned Educationist Dr. J Tilak, IIM faculty Dr. Rakesh Basant, Gender Economics Specialist and then Director PGSR S.N.D.T Women’s University, Mr. AchyutGodbole, Dr. Kishore Kulkarni - Faculty Metropolitan State College – Denver, USA, Dr.Justin Paul - Faculty University of Washington, Dr. ChandrahasDeshpande – then CEO Maharashtra Economic Development Council, Dr. Ajit Karnik & Dr. AbhayPethe – Ex-Directors Department of Economics University of Mumbai among others participated in the Seminars.

10. NATIONAL SEMINAR PROPOSAL • The system of Indian higher education is both enormous and complex. Higher education has always been identified as a critical component of India’s growth strategy ever since the attainment of independence. Over the last six and a half decades there has been a quantitative expansion of Indian higher education. In fact in terms of enrolment India ranks third in the world next only to U.S.A and China. The Indian system of higher education is both enormous and complex. On account of its huge potential it holds promising prospects. • Generally India today is considered as the talent pool of the world having qualified and educated human resources in abundance. This can be considered as the primary reason for the transformation of India into one of the fastest growing economies of the world, since the introduction of economic reforms in 1991. • However, Massification of higher education has not been accompanied by similar improvement in the delivery of higher education. Higher and technical education empowers the people with the requisite competitive skills and knowledge. The fact is that it is the quality of education that prepares us for all the pursuits of life and in the absence of acceptable levels of quality; higher education becomes a mere formalism devoid of any purpose or substance.

11. Indian higher education is plagued with several problems such as financial paucity, poor standards of research across the country, faulty system of examination, unemployability of Indian youth and absence of fully qualified and competent faculty. The point to be noted is that higher education is an important investment in societal well-being. • The questions that emerge are: what should be the aim, purpose and methodology of higher education in India, in the face of social, economic, cultural and political changes? How should institutions of higher learning respond to present as well as future challenges? One must remember that institutions of higher learning occupy a pivotal position in Indian society for the creation, dissemination and preservation of knowledge which determines the future course of progress and development.

12. Higher education is an important investment. Organizing a seminar on an important issue as higher education and the impending problems will provide, we feel, a platform for the interaction of views and ideas between Renowned National Educationists and fellow teacher participants and students. Several Recommendations could emerge which could prove fruitful in the light of the emerging scenario. The Seminar being National in nature gathers greater significance as issues of higher education concern the whole country. India possessing as she does an internationally acclaimed Global Brain Power must make efforts to nurture and develop this asset. We all take pride in belonging to a noble profession namely education. Organization of such seminars could provide solutions to the various problems characterizing our system and while paving the way for a better tomorrow will increase India’s vision of being a Global Brain Power by 2020. In a rapidly changing world having endless educational possibilities the system of higher education has to change and adapt itself to contemporary responsibilities and respond to new challenges.

13. Financing hurdles and financial allocation to higher education: • Financing of higher education can be considered as one of the key themes on the ongoing debate on higher education. The debate primarily arises from the fact that education is considered to be a quasi public good. It is called a public good because benefits out of it largely affect society through human capital formation and knowledge. However, it is also considered as a private good because an individual is provided a platform to generate regular incomes through their skills and talents. • One can safely say that declining public expenditure in the education sector, increasing cost per student and dominance of private sector worsens the problem of financing higher education. The state in India has been funding higher education since independence. However, with provision of primary education been considered as a fundamental right, the state funding of education in general and higher education in particular has been declining over the years. • The period has also seen the emergence of several private institutions particularly in fields related to medicine, engineering, management and computers. This gives rise to issues such as access, equity, quality & regulation. What could be the way out for solving the problems of paucity of funds, should the role of the state be expanded, should privatization be encouraged through development of public private partnership, what other sources of finance can be explored; these are some issues which can be discussed at the Seminar, at the time when greater role of higher education is expected in improving the nation’s competitiveness in the emerging global economy.

14. Employability of educated Indian Youth • While there has been a considerable increase in the educational institutions over the last decade with a large number of graduates passing out year after year, a heartening fact is that professional higher education is widening its spread to reach the masses. The consequence is that even an ordinary man dreams of becoming a doctor, an engineer or a management professional. • Today even though the scope for employability is very vast there exists an ‘employability gap’. This is so because youth passing out from various professional colleges may not be suitably equipped to be employed in industry. In fact one can safely say that shortage of appropriately trained skilled labor across various industries is emerging as a challenge to India’s present as well as future growth. While the best and selected universities generate too few graduates, the new colleges are producing students of uneven quality.

15. Most Indian universities and educational institutions have been unable to update their syllabi in the midst of rapidly changing technology. The result being students churned out are ill-equipped to meet the needs of the corporate world. Additional expenditure therefore has to be incurred on training the new recruits time and again. It may be right for our education system to join hands to plug the talent gap. • The Seminar will hopefully provide an avenue for all us teachers to discuss and suggest the various means • And methods for making our youth more employable in this present era of global education. For India to maintain her position in the global market place she has to plan for a world class competent talented & innovative workers. For success it is imperative that our entire system, curriculum, counseling, teacher training, apprenticeship & placements be job-oriented.

16. Reverse Brain Drain • Brain Drain a much talked of phenomenon of the 90s is all set for a role reversal. The great minds are seemingly flocking back to their motherland which has steadfastly stood up to the global meltdown. • According to Wikipedia Reverse Brain Drain refers to the migration issue whereby human capital moves in reverse from a more developed country to a developing country. It can also be termed as a logical outcome whereby migrants accumulate savings also known as remittances and develop skills overseas that can be developed in the home country. • Many multinational corporations are sending their top Indian minds to head companies in India. India is one of the first countries where the phenomenon of Reverse Brain Drain occurred. The dot com bubble along with better employment opportunities interested many Indian entrepreneurs to improve their economic development in the home country. Other factors include desire to return to their roots & lead a more family oriented life-style. • Reverse Brain Drain has not only resulted in Indians returning to their home country, but also many foreigners coming to India for greater challenges in jobs and prosperity in life. This is a heartening feature and we are sure that discussions with experts would enlighten us on how to sustain and upgrade this trend.

17. Indian Examination System • One of the major problems of Indian education is her examination system, which is generally conducted on an annual basis. The students are subject to the paper and pen test. The emphasis is on Rote Learning. The test is therefore of cramming capacity rather than understanding of the subject. Students under these circumstances tend to while away their time for most part of the year and only study for a few months before the examination to get the minimum marks required for passing. • There is a strong need for continuous internal assessment which empowers both the teachers and the students. It is better that the education system lays emphasis on projects in the area of study. Emphasis should be laid on completion of assigned projects with importance been given to innate talents like originality, creativity and uniqueness of the project.

18. The Credit based system was introduced by the University of Mumbai in the academic year 2011-12 as per the strong recommendations of the UGC, the Knowledge Commission and Government Bodies from time to time. Under the system regular assessment of students is carried out via multiple choice questions, tests & projects of 40 marks. At the end of each Semester an external examination is held of 60 marks. • This student friendly system has been the centre of controversy and debate since its inception and our teacher delegates, most of whom form a part of this system, would like to discuss the pros and cons of the scheme, the difficulties encountered and the possible solution for the same. This National Seminar we hope would provide the right platform for discussing these impending issues

19. Quality of Indian HigherEducation • Quality is a much talked of word today. In higher education it can be said to refer to the educational process which is such that it guarantees students of goal achievement while at the same time satisfying the needs of the society and helping in the promotion of national development. • Indian higher education has improved by leaps and bounds but the same however cannot be said about its quality. The quality of our educational system barring a few institutions is found wanting throughout the country be it engineering, medicine, business administration, science, commerce, humanities, liberal arts or law institutes. • In fact improvement of access along with equity, excellence, adoption of state specific strategies, enhancing the relevance of higher education through curriculum reforms, vocationalization, information technology, quality of research, networking and distance education can be considered as some of the policy initiatives in the context of quality of higher education. Simultaneously efforts have to be made to introduce programs which contribute to the general development of universities and colleges. Funds should also be set aside for construction of hostels for women, interest subsidy on loans to the meritorious and needy students, provision of funds for professional courses etc. This has to be accompanied by encouragement of research activity and fully qualified faculty.

20. One can safely say that higher education is at the cross roads. While on one hand there is heavy demand for access to higher education, on the other hand the quality is questioned. If we have to compete in this world of globalization all higher educational institutions have to pay special attention to quality improvement. • The establishment of NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Board) can be considered as a step in the right direction. These agencies lay down the criteria, judge institutions and thereby grade them. While pointing out the deficiencies of these institutions, this agency also compliments them for their strengths. • Quality and excellence are the watch words in today’s environment. In view of the rapid advancement of knowledge the future will need greater competencies. The consequence being higher education must provide improved and speedy methods which would enable us to meet the present needs and face the future challenges. As mentioned earlier, while undoubtedly there has been an impressive expansion of the system of higher education, the problems of access with equity quality and resources still haunts the system as a whole. • The entire issue warrants a detailed discussion and the seminar we hope would just be the right place for an informative and thought provoking discussion on the same

21. Target Audience • This is a seminar on Higher Education. Therefore Academicians and Students from all over the Nation will be invited to actively participate in the seminar. • Representatives of the Corporate world will also be invited to carry out discussions on the Symbiosis between Academicia and the Corporate World.

22. Purpose of the seminar & the need for sponsorship • Our college is among the reputed colleges in South Mumbai, falling under the umbrella of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan one of the largest NGOs in the country. • Huge expenditure involved. Organization of such a seminar entails a huge expenditure. In view of the fact that ours is a Grants- in Aid college we look forward to major sponsorship from progressive sponsors. • We have successfully organized seminars at all three levels in the past. Their success in the dissemination of knowledge and information among fellow academic fraternity has encouraged us to venture out with another International Seminar on a burning issue of Higher Education. The college also takes in pride in the fact that is has organized various conferences/events/programs at the inter collegiate and intra collegiate levels.

23. Leading lights from all fields will be participating in the Seminar. Personalities and awardees of National Honors will be actively participating in the seminars and the event will provide a platform for the interaction of views and ideas between renowned experts in the field and fellow teachers and students gaining of wide publicity will could fruitful to your being • Wide publicity will be given to the Sponsors through banners, souvenirs etc. This will help them gain popularity and thereby boost their business.