‘Focus on women’s research’

Women working in various academic levels in the country’s higher education system will now receive training of skills development in the areas of research and advocacy by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The UGC’s National Consultative Committee for Capacity Building of Women Managers in Higher Education has decided to make new additions to its existing Management Skills Enhancement Modules (MSEM) in the 12th plan period. Chairperson of the Committee Prof Armaity S Desai told Express that new modules on research stimulation and advocacy would be introduced in the ensuing five years in a bid to strengthen the ‘capacity-building of women managers in education’ scheme. “Lack of research is not only a general problem, but also a problem concerning women in higher education institutions. We have proposed a new module to the UGC to encourage research,” said Prof Desai.

Prof Desai on Saturday inaugurated a five-day MSEM workshop for women academicians and administrators organised by the UGC Centre for Women’s Studies, NMKRV College for Women at the National Law School of India University.

She said the MSEM workshops, held in different parts of the country, will now move right into the institutions. “In the 12th plan, we want to take up advocacy in higher education as an important subject.” she said.