Ansal University: Keeping pace with the evolving world

A few colleges in Delhi University had a cut-off of 100 per cent this year for admission to their undergraduate courses. The huge rush for admissions to colleges affiliated to public universities - where the fees are heavily subsidised - has resulted in these institutions being extremely selective and insisting on students getting full marks.
Fortunately, India's higher education sector is changing rapidly and many governments have realised the need for private universities to accommodate the growing number of aspirants for degrees. States are allowing the private sector to set up universities and these institutions - unlike public varsities - offer modern courses that are relevant to industries.

Pranav Ansal, Trustee
Says Pranav Ansal, Trustee, Ansal University, Gurgaon: "Public universities do not change their syllabus for decades, with the result that many of the students who graduate from there are found unemployable by industry. The education system has not kept pace with time in these state universities."
Ansal University, established as a private university under the Haryana Private Universities Act in 2012, offers UGC-approved undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral programmes in the areas of architecture, design, engineering, management and law.
The university has tied up with other business groups and international varsities to offer students courses that are relevant to modern-day business. "Students at our architecture school have to work at construction sites for six months to get practical training," says Ansal. "We have also tied up with Bajaj Capital for our MBA in finance programme."
It is also collaborating with many international universities including Clemson University, New Jersey's Science & Technology University, Eastern Michigan University, Valparaiso University and Utah Valley University (all from the US); the University of the Arts, London; Vatel School of Hospitality, France; and Deakin University, Australia.
The university is located on a sprawling 17-acre campus in Gurgaon and has about 2,200 students at present.
Ansal points out that the potential for growth for higher education in India is enormous. Just 17 per cent of Indian students passing higher secondary schools join colleges. "Yet you have this illogical reality of colleges affiliated to public universities not admitting students who have scored less than 100 per cent," says Ansal. "It's a joke."
Employers increasingly prefer students passing out of private universities, as they are encouraged to think independently instead of learning things by rote and have more exposure to industry, adds Ansal. Private universities are also dynamic and offer the latest courses that are in demand. "Things have changed in the last 10 years," he observes. "Over the next 10 years, private universities will command a premium."

• India