Women study centres need more teeth: UGC

Research departments will be set up to further the cause of women's studies.

To strengthen and sustain the Women’s Studies Centres (WSCs) set up by various universities and colleges in the country, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has proposed that these be declared statutory departments under the university system.

The UGC had invited proposals for establishment of WSCs in Universities/Colleges under the scheme of ‘Development of Women Studies in Indian Universities and Colleges’ in the Tenth Five-Year Plan. However, the guidelines for the Eleventh Plan have taken a broader view by suggesting that these study centres should become teaching and research departments under the university system.

Shashi Rai, member, UGC, said: “Currently, there are 62 WSCs in various colleges and universities, which do not necessarily have a clear understanding of the aims and objectives with which the UGC had initiated the programme.” He added WSCs faced considerable difficulties due to the lack of clarity about their roles and the terms under which the UGC disburses its grants.

A lot of money has been spent to address women’s issues, but the academic part has not been monitored well so far, he said.

The new guidelines for the Eleventh Five-Year Plan propose to convert these study centres into departments with specific focus on academics, teaching, training amd advocacy, dissemination of knowledge and field action projects, he further added. A research chair for women’s studies at the UGC level has been proposed under the scheme of Women’s Studies in the Eleventh Plan.

In the Tenth Plan, the UGC had funded 51 centres in universities and 16 centres in colleges. The budget allocation for these centres was Rs 10 crore. The Eleventh Plan proposed to double the grant.

Under the proposed guidelines, the UGC expects the WSCs to be independent teaching departments under the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies. WSCs should be granted statutory status under the Universities Acts applicable for each state and central/deemed universities. These centres/ departments must restructure courses in various disciplines and encourage joint courses. The number of optional courses should also be increased.

The proposal envisages several possibilities to encourage teaching of Women’s Studies at the undergraduate and postgraduate level by offering honours courses and post graduate programmes. Certificate, diploma and other short-term and elective courses in the field of technology, medicine, genetic sciences, agriculture, forestry and environment must also be imparted.

The guidelines also propose the setting up of the Board of Studies and a Research Recognition Committees in universities. The board is expected to promote independent research programmes in Women’s Studies.

The National Eligibility Test bureau and Union Public Service Commission have agreed to support the women’s studies movement by including women studies in their list of subjects, Rai added.