Suggestion for Transforming and Branding of Higher Education Institutions
Suggestion for Transforming HEIs into IIMs, AIIMSs, ISI
You can’t ignore the brand image of any institute, whether you believe in the institute tag or not. AIIMS, IIM, IIT, NIT, ISI etc are top brands of the Indian education system and they all are Institutes of National Importance (INI). Now to build any new one of them, the Government of India (GoI) has to spend a lot of money and time. Just to save time and money, GoI can’t just upgrade any existing institute into one of them by compromising the quality and ignoring past track records. Even sometimes highly reputed institutions are left out because of areas of a small campus or past controversies. These institutes generally require bigger campus areas because of fully residential, future development and maintain international standards. Apart from this, the GoI has taken a policy decision to not convert any state university/institute into a central university/institute for reasons of legacy issues, adjustment of existing staff and disaffiliation of affiliated colleges. However, GoI can still convert any autonomous or deemed centrally funded institute into one of those institutes without any issue of disaffiliation, legacy, staff or any state government intervention. For example, recently the GoI converted NITIE, Mumbai into IIM Mumbai. It makes no sense to have a separate institute brand when it’s serving the same purpose in a similar manner as one of the INI institutes.
The below-mentioned autonomous medical institutes are fully residential and already centrally funded INI institutes. They can be converted into AIIMS and can also introduce an MBBS program if they don’t have one yet.
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry should be converted into All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry (AIIMS Puducherry).
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh should be converted into All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Chandigarh (AIIMS Chandigarh).
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram should be converted into All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram (AIIMS Thiruvananthapuram).
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, Bengaluru should be converted into All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru (AIIMS Bengaluru).
Some institutes engaging in a specific domain are founded through GoI support and then have become self-reliant. But, getting INI designation can enable them to attract better talent and can establish a skill force within a specific domain throughout the country. They have no state quota.
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi should be converted into Indian Institute of Management, Delhi (IIM Delhi).
- Institute of Rural Management, Anand should be converted into Indian Institute of Management, Anand (IIM Anand).
- Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal should be converted into Indian Institute of Management, Bhopal (IIM Bhopal).
- Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai should be converted into Indian Statistical Institute, Mumbai (ISI Mumbai).
Suggestion for Branding of Higher Education Institutions into NIT, IIITs, IIPE
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur falls under the same category as NITS. Initially, IIEST offered a 5 year dual-degree course (B.Tech+M.Tech) rather than a 4 year B.Tech course, but then shifted back to a 4 year B.Tech course. In fact, IIEST falls under the NITSER Act 2007, the same as NIT and keeps a 50% state quota. It makes no sense to have a separate institute brand when it’s serving the same purpose in a similar manner as NIT.
Some may argue that, like NITs, each IIEST in each region – kind of system can be set up too. Convert one reputed state government institute into IIEST in each region. But there are many issues associated with that. First, NITs and IIEST aren’t providing 3-year diploma engineering courses or they aren’t allowing lateral entry (for e.g., direct 2nd year admission to diploma holders). Almost all reputed state government engineering institutes are providing these facilities. By converting them into NITs/IIEST, good options are reduced for diploma holders. Can’t start these facilities in NITs/IIEST because they already have a staff crunch. Second, only a 50% state quota in NITs/IIEST. No state government wants to sacrifice a 50% seat in their reputed state college. Thirdly, GoI has taken a policy not to convert a state institute/university into a central institute/university due to legacy issues, adjustment of existing staff and disaffiliation of institutes. In short, having just one campus IIEST institute won’t create much brand impact, like IITs/NITs/IIITs. Better to convert IIEST into NIT.
- Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur should be branded as National Institute of Technology, Shibpur (NIT Shibpur).
The below-mentioned autonomous institutes are fully residential and already centrally funded INI institute. It makes no sense to have a separate institute brand name when it’s serving the same purpose as IIITs.
- Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Gwalior should be branded as Indian Institute of Information Technology, Gwalior (IIIT Gwalior).
- Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Jabalpur should be branded as Indian Institute of Information Technology, Jabalpur (IIIT Jabalpur).
- Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Kurnool should be branded as Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kurnool (IIIT Kurnool).
- Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Kancheepuram should be branded as Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kancheepuram (IIIT Kancheepuram).
The below-mentioned autonomous institute is fully residential and already centrally funded INI institute. It makes no sense to have a separate institute brand name when it’s serving the same purpose as IIPE.
- Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Raebareli should be branded as Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy, Raebareli (IIPE Raebareli).
PS: Any institute’s admission and academic information are kept changing over time. Better to visit their websites for exact status and details.
