Financial Support

As one traces the recommendations of the various Commissions and the UGC guidelines issued from time to time for Adult, Continuing Education & Extension, it is evident that one of the goals of the UGC is to transform the university system into an active instrument for social change through the institutionalization of Extension as the Third Dimension and by ensuring that the university system is adult learner friendly and pro-life long learning.

It is commonly known that through the dimension of teaching, there is dissemination of knowledge, through research new knowledge is generated and through the dimension of extension there is application of knowledge in real life situations, which leads to the further generation of new knowledge.

It was way back in 1960 that the Kothari Commission first articulated the concept of Extension and the TRINITY of Teaching, Research & Extension. The Commission stated that Extension was essential for:

• making education relevant to real life situations

• for preventing the alienation of the educand from society

• for developing in the educand a sense of responsibility towards society

• for deepening the teacher’s knowledge through a wider exposure to real life situations

In 1977 the University Grants Commission first incorporated Extension into its Policy Statement for Higher Education when it stated that

“If the University system has to discharge adequately its responsibilities to the entire education system and to the society as a whole it must assume extension as the third important responsibility and give it the same status as teaching and research. This is a new and extremely significant area which should be developed on the basis of high priority”.

The acceptance of Extension as the Third Dimension equal in importance to teaching and research was in the context of a growing realisation that the universities and colleges having institutional resources-knowledge, manpower and physical-have an obligation to develop sensitivities to involve the development of the community with particular reference to the overall and diverse learning needs of all the segments of the people of the community.

Developing the discipline of Andragogy / Adult Education and Continuing Education through academic programs and courses such as:

• Foundation Courses;

• Certificate and Diploma Courses;

• Undergraduate, postgraduate, M.Phil, Ph.D., optional/regular courses;

• Courses integrated with different degrees such as B.Ed., M.Ed. and professional degrees;

• Projects related to continuing education and extension and field outreach in-built into a discipline of studies and

• Conduct of inter-disciplinary research in Adult, Continuing Education & Extension.

Vocational Career Oriented Courses / Programs

• Courses and programs for people at different socio-economic and educational levels for the acquisition of marketable vocational skills according to the needs and demands of urban and rural, local, national and international markets;

• Continuing education courses for the students and out of school youth;

• Courses related to the electronic media, multi media, computer applications, etc. to receive special focus;

• Apprenticeship, internship, training programs with industry and business;

• Courses specially focusing on the demands of the changing world of work;

• Para- professional courses for knowledge and skill updates and

• Career guidance for the university and college students

Associate Degree / Diploma in Continuing Education

Development of a credit system for courses in adult & continuing education leading to an Associate Degree / Diploma in adult & continuing education for the benefit of students who are pursuing courses on the campus.

Leadership and Human Resource Development

• Programmes for developing the potentialities of students and out of school youth, particularly of the girl students and women and

• Training of elected representatives of local, self-government, self-help groups and persons from community based organizations, NGOs, under - privileged and resource - deprived communities.

Quality of Life Improvement Programs

Conduct of courses and awareness programs for facilitating improvement in the quality of life of the people.

Individual Interest Promotion Programs

Courses and programs catering to individual interests of adults for promoting personal development.

Social and Citizenship Role Awareness Programs

For increasing knowledge, awareness and functional skills of the student youth and out of school youth in areas such as environment food, shelter, health, family welfare, etc. which affect them

Resource Support Programs

1. Programs to support and evaluate TLC, PLP, CE, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, women’s empowerment, etc. in collaboration with or for the NLM, State Literacy Mission (SLM) Zilla Sakisharta Samiti (ZSS), Centers for Women’s Studies, Population Education Centres, Open Universities, People’s Organizations, Community Based Organizations, Civil Societies and others.

2. Special programs for indigenous populations, aboriginals, slum dwellers, tribals and other vulnerable sections of society.

Equivalency Programs

Parallel programs offered by the Non-Formal Education Sector of the Ministry of Human Resource Development of the State and Centre, Open Schools, Institutes, etc. may be facilitated, developed and expanded.

Academic Credit

The work of the students involved in adult education, continuing education, extension and field outreach work should be considered for academic credit in addition to or as a part of their regular course of studies. For determining academic credits, standards may be evolved and adopted.

To illustrate:

• Projects related to extension/field outreach within a discipline at the undergraduate or postgraduate level;

• Field work in respect of a subject of study;

• Participation in literacy, post-literacy, continuing education, population education and non-formal education programs;

• Participation in programs for enhancing employability and technology skills;

• Any other activity approved for the purpose by the University Authority with the approval of the Commission.

The IX Plan guidelines have clearly stated the need for the Universities to accord a statutory status to the Departments of Adult, Continuing Education & Extension with amendments, if necessary, in the University Act and Statutes. It was also stated that the Department will have the same status as that of any other teaching department of the university with the core faculty eligible for representation on all the University bodies, like Syndicate / Executive / Management Council, Senate, Academic Council, Standing Committee on Academic Affairs, Board of Studies etc. corresponding to other University teachers. During the X Plan period, the Universities must take suitable action in this regard if such action has not been taken so far. The release of grants for the X Plan will be based on the fulfillment of this condition. In the absence of assurance from the State Govt., no vacant sanctioned post was filled.

The Department of Adult, Continuing Education and Extension & Field Outreach should be headed by Professor / Director / Head of the University Department as per the nomenclature in the University for the same position with major responsibilities similar to that of the head of any other teaching department.

The University, in accordance with the status of the Department, shall give academic freedom to this Department for the planning and conduct of innovative programmes in Teaching, Research, Extension & Field Outreach.

The faculty of the Department is also eligible for the Unassigned Grant of the UGC available to the university and for the research and other grants of the various UGC schemes for teachers.

Departments already in existence shall be eligible for Special Assistance Programs (SAP) and other such special assistance schemes of the UGC and other national / international agencies

Nomenclature of the Departments

Those Departments which are already known as Departments of Adult, Continuing Education & Extension or any other name approved by the university, may retain the nomenclature. In case of new Departments, they should adopt the nomenclature Departments of Adult, Continuing Education and Extension & Field Outreach (ACEEFO). For the purpose of these guidelines the Departments are referred to as Departments of Adult, Continuing Education, Extension & Field Outreach (ACEE & FO).

1. At the UGC level
   
   The Commission may constitute Expert Committee(s) to examine proposals from universities for financial support under the scheme for fresh induction, advise on policy matters, monitor and review of the Departments completing its tenure, implementation and utilization. The Committee will also be responsible for finalizing consolidated activitywise and programwise annual and action plan for the X Plan, reviewing performance reports from the Departments for further action.

2. At the University level

   1. Advisory Committee
      
      Since the university is the focus of continuing and extension education and outreach activities, it is necessary to have an Advisory Committee of Adult and Continuing Education and Extension & Field Outreach to oversee various academic and extension field outreach programmes of the university. The Advisory Committee will have members as representatives from a) the Syndicate / Executive Council / Management Council, b) UGC representative from the concerned Bureau, c) representative of NLMA/SLMA, d) Heads of University Departments / Principals (for Colleges) in concerned areas, e). two three experts in the field, f). Government Departments and g) NGOs. The membership of the committee may be between 10-12. The Head of Department of Adult and Continuing Education and Extension & Field Outreach will be its Member-Secretary. The Advisory Committee must meet at least twice a year, advise and take steps on courses, curriculum, prepare the annual programme of activi ties, look into proper utilization of grants, monitor and review the implementation of the programme with the help of Implementation Committee.

   2. Implementation Committee
      
      In order to facilitate the functioning of the Department, an Implementation Committee, consisting of 4/6 members of the Advisory Committee including 1/2 local members in the areas may be constituted with the Director as the Convenor. The Implementation Committee must meet once in 2 to 3 months. This Committee may also recommend to introduce certificate and other short-term courses, suggest course guest faculty, determine eligibility of students, lay down fee structure and evaluate the programmes.

   3. The Board
      
      To advise the Department in academic matters including research in the area of ACEE & FO and monitor academic activities, an Academic Board will be constituted as per the university procedure in the form of a Regular Board of Studies

1. Head / Director of the Department of Adult Continuing Education, Extension Education & Field Outreach
   
   Each Department will have a Head/Director. The Department will be headed by a Professor / Director, directly responsible to the Vice-Chancellor to whom he / she will report. The Professor / Director of the Department may be selected on part time basis from the disciplines/department of Adult Education / Social Sciences / Education / Humanities / Management with experience in teaching, research, extension work and field outreach.
   
   The duties of the Professor / Director will be similar to those of Heads of other teaching departments. However, he/she will have the additional responsibility of implementing the UGC guidelines for the scheme. Since extension has to be the focus of the university, the Professor/ Director of the Department should possess considerable leadership qualities in continuing and extension education, field outreach programmes.

2. Faculty
   
   The faculty for the Department of Adult & Continuing Education may be engaged on contract basis or on per lecture basis as per the rates approved by the Commission. All these appointments be within the approved budget.

3. Secretarial and Non-teaching Technical Staff
   
   The Department will have Secretarial and Non-teaching Technical Staff whose service conditions shall be the same as are applicable to other non-academic staff of the university and they will be eligible to all benefits like pension/CPG/GPF, medical aid, etc.

4. Field Investigator/Project Assistant
   
   In the Tenth Plan period the Department will be permitted to appoint from the salary component of the UGC grant, additional manpower of 3 to 5 Field Investigators/Project Assistants to implement its programs.

   1. Qualifications and Experience

      1. Graduates or Post Graduates with at least one year’s office/ field experience in Adult and Continuing Education & Extension and not more than 35 years of age and

      2. Graduates/Post Graduates with a diploma in Adult and Continuing Education & Extension and related fields will be given preference. However, the age of such candidates will not be more than 35 years.

   2. Selection Procedure and Appointment
      
      The advertisement, selection and appointment shall be made by the Department itself after obtaining the University permission. The appointment shall be on a contract basis for the Tenth Plan period only. The candidate will have no claim or right for re-appointment or permanency;

   3. Role and Functions
      
      The Field Investigator/Project Assistant shall carry out academic, administrative and supporting field activities as directed by the Head/Director of the Department

   4. Compensation/Salary
      
      Field Investigator/Project Assistant shall be entitled to a consolidated amount of

      1. Graduate - minimum of Rs. 4000/- per month and Rs. 500/- Fixed Travel Allowance and

      2. Post-Graduate – minimum of Rs. 6000/- per month and Rs. 500/- Fixed Travel Allowance.

   5. Supervision
      
      His/Her work will be supervised/monitorised by the Head/Director of the Department.

5. Project staff on hiring
   
   No regular or contract staff is permissible under the scheme other than mentioned above. The miscellaneous work of the Department may be got done by outsourcing on hiring basis.

Re-appropriation within the budget heads upto 10 percent will be permitted by the UGC with the approval of Vice-Chancellor. If more re-appropriation is needed, the prior approval of the UGC will have to be sought.

Non-recurring grants are for a period of five years whereas annual recurring grants are for the particular year for which it has been sanctioned

It is proposed that every university should set up a Department of ACEE & FO. To begin with in the Tenth Plan, the number of Departments of ACEE & FO would be increased;

Financial support is given in a flexible manner for an earmarked group of activities;

In order to give flexibility to the utilization of grants, the grants will be permitted to be carried forward from year to year till the end of the Plan period. However, these grants will be accountable within the grant norms;

UGC may categorise the Departments based on review by the expert committee;

In order to give greater stability to the Departments, the salary and benefits for the core staff shall be included in the comprehensive annual budget of the university and in the total Plan proposals of the concerned universities;

UGC’s support for the establishment of a new Department will be till the end of X Plan Period;

The State Universities will have to obtain the State Government’s concurrence to give permanency to the posts created for permanent positions, especially under earlier plans, if not done already. The University/State Government must take suitable steps.

The State Government’s concurrence will also be required for the core faculty sanctioned for a new Department;

As far as new Departments are concerned, the post of one Reader and one Lecturer will be sanctioned in addition to the provision of grants under the salary component. It will be the responsibility of the concerned University to provide non-teaching administrative/ office staff, accommodation, furniture and other infrastructure facilities;

The Department will need to explore other sources for raising funds in addition to the UGC assistance;

Conducting self-financing programmes / courses is essential for the sustainability of the Department;

A separate fund be created from the resources generated by the Department, to be utilised for the activities of the Department;

A separate budget be maintained for the Department operating with the UGC and State Government grants;

The Department may establish

1. Student Counseling / Placement / Career Guidance Centre;

2. e – Learning Centre in Departments which submit a specific proposal for the same. About 30 Centres of each type will be set up in the Tenth Plan Period. The one-time grant for the Plan Period for these Centres will be as given below:-

1. Student Counseling / Placement /Career Guidance Centre    - Rs. 2,25,000

2. e-Learning Center, development of website, e-learning packages, on –line courses, etc.     - Rs. 6,00,000

In order to be eligible to the grants for the Tenth Plan, each University will have to submit a certificate signed by the Vice – Chancellor, accepting the Tenth Plan Guidelines in to