Higher education institutions, or HEIs, in India face numerous challenges that impede their ability to provide high-quality education and remain globally competitive. Some of the critical challenges are rising operational costs, financial sustainability, and limited avenues for funding affecting infrastructure, research, and faculty and staff development. A large percentage of graduates lack employable skills, creating a disconnect between education and employment.
Opportunities for higher education institutions include enhancing equitable access by adopting inclusive practices and expanding outreach initiatives, continuous curriculum updates, innovative teaching methods, and robust faculty and staff development programs to enhance academic quality, securing additional funding to strengthen research and innovation, and fostering more vital collaboration with industry partners.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provides a transformative framework to address these challenges and reshape India’s higher education landscape. Recommendations of NEP 2020 include promoting the multidisciplinary approach to education, enhancing research and innovation, and advocating for digital and online learning platforms. The policy emphasises that education should be aligned with industry needs to improve graduate employability, Indian HEIs should be promoted as international education hubs, and quality assurance and accreditation systems of HEIs should be strengthened. The policy strongly emphasises improving human resources in higher education, employing professional development, and undertaking merit-based faculty recruitment and empowerment. In this milieu, it is essential to recognise that a third pillar of experts must carry the higher education system to its next level.
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A paradigm shift
So far, India’s higher education domain has been ably supported by the two pillars of academic staff and support professionals (widely known as non-academic staff). However, the increasing expectations of higher education spill into the traditional roles of these two pillars, negatively impacting their performance. For example, academic support professionals (ASPs) struggle with complex assignments because they lack professional expertise, formal training, and skill development. At the same time, faculty members are expected to assist with necessary academic administration tasks, which takes time away from their core responsibilities.
However, higher education in India and across the world is undergoing a quick paradigm shift driven by the fourth industrial revolution and globalisation. Artificial intelligence is changing academics and industry, forcing stakeholders to constantly re-evaluate and modify their approaches to remain relevant in a world where technology is advancing exponentially.
The modern role of HR management (HRM) in higher education is strategic, focussing on talent acquisition, retention, professional development, and performance management. It shapes workplace culture, promotes well-being, and fosters inclusion. HRM also drives workforce planning, governance, and technology integration, supporting institutional goals in academics, research, and community engagement.
The role of librarians now extends to digital information management and data curation. Modern libraries require experts to manage extensive digital collections, implement sophisticated search technologies, and support advanced research needs. Similarly, HEIs increasingly rely on online learning platforms and digital tools, and they need IT professional experts to handle advanced technologies such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics to maintain robust, secure, and compelling technological systems. ERP systems are essential to HEIs digitisation effort.
Experts in finance and accounting can provide sophisticated financial planning, ensure compliance with General Financial Rules (GFR) and stabilise finances by procuring through platforms like the Government e-marketplace (GeM). Furthermore, the finance unit can now take on business development and fundraising initiatives to secure additional revenue streams and enhance financial sustainability.
The engineering and estate department is expected to take new initiatives such as developing a green campus, energy efficiency projects, and sustainable building practices, ensuring that the infrastructure aligns with global sustainability standards and contributes to a healthier, more eco-friendly campus environment.
Experts are also needed to help institutions manage the student life cycle, ensuring compliance with institutional policies, regulations and laws while overseeing student rights, disciplinary procedures, and data protection to maintain a fair and legally sound academic environment. To ensure the successful integration of international students and their compliance with institutional and legal requirements, managing the office involves experience in visa regulations, cultural adaptation, and customised support services. Professionals in the placement cell must forge strong industry connections so the HEIs can align curriculum with industry needs, enhance research opportunities, and improve student employability.
Gender diversity and inclusivity, vital components of a successful and progressive educational institution, can be achieved at all levels, including leadership, with the help of trained experts. An inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and experiences can enhance creativity, innovation, and decision-making in HEIs. These efforts align with global standards and contribute to a more equitable and just academic community.
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Addressing new challenges
Student mental health is looming as a significant threat in HEIs. Mental health counsellors can help address these challenges by providing necessary support to help students cope with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Sports professionals can design and implement comprehensive fitness and wellness programs, manage sports facilities, and promote a culture of physical activity on campus. Their expertise can contribute to the holistic development of students, fostering teamwork, discipline and leadership skills, thereby contributing to a well-rounded educational experience.
The need for professionals in regulatory compliance, accreditation and governance is increasing due to the complexity of these areas. They are crucial in navigating the accreditation and evaluation processes such as National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), and other international ranking frameworks and ensuring quality standard improvement.
Legal experts, research administrators, communication managers and quality assurance professionals are also essential in various roles, including navigating regulatory challenges, drafting contracts, ensuring policy adherence, managing research projects and funding, and ensuring effective institutional communication and alumni networks for institutional growth.
Faculty members and the ASPs are the key verticals in HEIs. Besides these two pillars, professional experts must address specific roles arising from emerging demands. HEIs can reduce faculty workload by appointing expert professionals and training ASPs, allowing them to concentrate on teaching and research. These experts should understand the nuances of academic culture and develop sensitive relationships between faculty, ASPs and students. Experienced ASPs can be trained for these expert roles, but experts in the corresponding fields can add value, improve service quality and address resource shortages. In collaboration with faculty and ASPs, this third pillar of experts can help HEIs realise their vision and mission by advancing the modernisation, internationalisation, digitisation and implementation of the NEP 2020 recommendations.
The author is a Fulbright fellow working at IGIDR and is a lead author of Strategic Human Resource Management in Higher Education-Roadmap for Indian Institutions. Views are personal.
(Edited by Humra Laeeq)