- Finance minister has announced that an amount of Rs. 400 crore has been provided for FY 2019-20 to create “World Class Institutions” in the field of education.
- She said that five years ago there were no Indian institutes featuring in the Top 200 of the QS World University Rankings.However,now three institutes feature in the list.
- To achieve the objectives of research and innovation,the Finance Minister has announced setting up of a National Research Foundation (NRF) to fund,coordinate and promote research in the country.
- NRF will ensure that the overall research ecosystem in the country is strengthened.It will focus on identified thrust areas relevant to our national priorities and towards basic science without duplication of effort and expenditure.
- She also announced the programme ‘Study in India’, that will focus on bringing foreign students to study in our higher educational institutions.
- The Finance Minister also disclosed that a draft legislation for setting up Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) would be presented in the year ahead.This will help to comprehensively reform the regulatory system of higher education to promote greater autonomy and focus on better academic outcomes.
- The minister also said the Khelo India Scheme will be expanded to provide all necessary financial support and a National Sports Education Board for Development of Sportspersons would be set up under Khelo India Scheme to popularize sports at all levels.
- The minister also said that Massive online open courses through the SWAYAM initiative have helped bridge the digital divide for disadvantaged section of the student community.
- The minister said that Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) programme in higher education was started to up-grade the quality of teaching.It was aimed at tapping the global pool of scientists and researchers.
