Prof Rizwan Khan, Director of CSR (left) presents works of CSR to Prof Fauzan, as Prof Aslam Haneef (Deputy Rector IIUM Malaysia) looks on.
New Delhi :
At the prestigious International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Prof. Mohammed Rizwan, director of New Delhi’s Centre for Study and Research (CSR), called for the establishment of non-Eurocentric think tanks across the Muslim world, particularly in India, emphasizing the integration of divine knowledge (Wahi) and human reasoning (‘Aql) to address current civilizational challenges and develop groundbreaking paradigms aligned with the objectives of Islamic law (Maqasid al-Sharia).
Prof. Rizwan, recently concluded a week-long academic tour in Malaysia, where he engaged with prominent academicians, institutional heads, and high-ranking officials from renowned universities and institutions.
Highlighting his visit were series of lectures, key pivotal discussions aimed at fostering collaboration between CSR and Malaysian institutions to strengthen Islamic intellectual thought and reshape the role of think tanks in the Muslim world.
In a conversation with Indiatomorrow.net, Prof. Rizwan shared insights into his strategically planned academic tour in Malaysia. He revealed that institutions and universities aligned with CSR’s vision were carefully shortlisted, and appointments were secured with Directors, Deans, and administrative heads to maximize the tour’s impact and mutual collaboration.
Prof. Rizwan explained that the primary aim of his visit was to introduce CSR and explore collaborative opportunities with Malaysia’s prestigious institutions. The focus centred on initiating partnerships in four key domains: Researcher Exchange Programmes, Collaborative Academic Events, Joint Research Publications, and Joint Book Publications under the BIT (IIUM’s official publishers).
His itinerary included both formal and informal engagements with institutional heads, staff members, academicians, researchers, and master’s students. Discussions focused on aligning mutual goals and paving the way for future collaborations.
Providing further details, Prof. Rizwan stated that he visited a total of seven institutes, three universities, and five departments, meeting with 14 academicians. The tour resulted in the signing of four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with various institutions, marking a significant step toward fostering global academic partnerships.
In a thought-provoking lecture at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), the CSR Director highlighted the civilizational challenges faced by Muslims globally while redefining the concept of think tanks through an Islamic lens.
Prof. Rizwan presented a non-Eurocentric, holistic perspective, stating: “A think tank is a collective intellectual entity dedicated to addressing contemporary and civilizational challenges, including policy issues, using revealed knowledge (Wahi) as a springboard to evolve novel paradigms through human reason (‘Aql) to fulfill the broader objectives of Islamic law (Maqasid al-Sharia).”
He emphasized that this distinct approach integrates spiritual transcendence into the very purpose of Islamic think tanks, a dimension he noted is conspicuously absent in Eurocentric frameworks, offering a transformative vision for intellectual endeavours in the Muslim world.
Dr. Rizwan emphasized the urgent need for think tanks to address the socio-political marginalization of Indian Muslims, highlighting their critical role in shaping policy advocacy, countering misrepresentation with data-driven narratives, and celebrating the historical and cultural contributions of the community. “Think tanks are not just about documenting challenges but also about showcasing the immense contributions of Indian Muslims to the nation’s history and culture,” he remarked.
Dr. Rizwan laid out a clear and strategic roadmap for creating impactful Islamic think tanks, including 1) Defining Vision and Mission: Establishing inclusive goals that address diverse societal challenges. 2) Operational Structure: Forming interdisciplinary research teams and building partnerships with universities, NGOs, and policymakers. 3) Sustainable Financing: Leveraging endowments, grants, and Islamic financial tools like waqf to secure financial independence.
He acknowledged significant challenges, such as securing sustainable funding, attracting skilled professionals, and managing ideological diversity within the Muslim community. To overcome these hurdles, he advocated for long-term planning, innovative solutions, and a unified effort to ensure the success of such initiatives.
The CSR director underscored the transformative potential of think tanks in reviving the intellectual heritage of Islamic civilization, advocating for a focus on key areas such as socio-economic justice, ethical technology, and the evolving identities of Muslims in a globalized world.
The session concluded with a dynamic discussion. Dr. Sayyed Mohamed Muhsin from the Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh proposed enhancing the definition of think tanks by incorporating a “futuristic” element, emphasizing the need for forward-thinking strategies that creatively shape the future.
Prof. Mumtaz Ali highlighted the pivotal role of publications and literature in nation-building and challenging dominant narratives.
Offering a visionary roadmap for establishing think tanks that seamlessly integrate Islamic principles with contemporary policy frameworks, Dr. Rizwan presented a bold approach to addressing civilizational challenges in India and beyond.
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education / by Anwarulhaq Baig / December 09th, 2024
A joint study conducted by a Delhi-based think tank – Centre for Study and Research (CSR) and NOUS Network Private Limited – has busted the myth that Muslim-run institutions cater to Muslims only.
The study titled “A Survey of Muslim-managed Public and Private Institutions of Higher Education in India” reveals that Hindu students outnumber Muslim students in higher education in Muslim-managed institutions across the country.
The percentage of Hindus, according to the report, is about 55 percent in these institutions against 42 percent of Muslim students.
However, the report is silent about the reasons behind Hindu students exceeding their Muslim counterparts in Muslim-run institutions.
But the higher number of Hindu students is an indicator that the Muslim institutions do not discriminate against non-Muslims and are open to all religious communities against the prevailing misconception that Muslim institutions serve only Muslim students.
This is also a proof that the standard of education in Muslim-run institutions are at par with institutions run by other communities. Had the quality of education in Muslim institutions been poor, Hindu students would certainly have avoided it and not enrolled en mass as is happening currently.
The study provides empirical evidence against the prevailing false notion among certain sections of society regarding Muslim-managed educational institutions.
The report reveals a surprising trend: in Muslim-run universities, Hindus constitute the majority of students (52.7%), while Muslims make up 42.1%. This pattern holds true for colleges managed by the Muslim minority as well, where Hindus are the largest student group (55.1%), followed by Muslims (42.1%) and other minority groups (2.8%).
The findings of the report were discussed at a roundtable event attended by educators, policymakers and stakeholders. They applauded the report as a valuable resource for addressing existing challenges faced by the Muslim community in the realm of higher education.
Concerns were also expressed over the grim situation of the community, particularly their meagre share in higher education and their sharp dropout rates.
CSR director Dr. Mohammed Rizwan presented the vision of CSR, which aims to evolve a purposeful, holistic, and value-based knowledge ecosystem. He asserted that the report is a “myth-buster” that provides empirical evidence against the prevailing misinformation among certain sections of society.
“To our knowledge, no such study has been conducted to date, and there is currently no data available on the number of institutions for higher education affiliated with the Muslim minority group, while this research represents the first attempt of its kind to address this critical gap,” Dr. Rizwan stated.
Elaborating that despite consistent efforts from the community, empirical evidence suggests a need for even more concrete efforts, Dr. Rizwan said that those efforts should particularly focus on areas like gross enrolment in higher education, decreasing the dropout rate, and other aspects of higher education.
Dr. Rizwan believes that this report sheds light on the challenges and opportunities within higher education by meticulously analyzing various facets. These facets include the number and types of educational institutions, the gender ratio within them, their affiliation status, their academic productivity, their NAAC accreditation standing, student demographics, and more.
“The report’s findings underscore the importance of recognizing the unique needs of the Muslim minority in higher education and advocating for targeted interventions to address those needs,” he added.
Speaking at the roundtable, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Vice President Prof. Salim Engineer commended the CSR and NOUS team for conducting such an important study. However, he cautioned that the findings regarding the community’s education situation are not encouraging.
Prof. Salim highlighted that the study serves as a roadmap for improvement, identifying areas where the community needs to focus its efforts while acknowledging its achievements.
Emphasizing the need to encourage the community, not discourage it, by recognizing its accomplishments and contributions in the past 75 years of independence, he pointed out the community’s resilience in the face of continued communal riots and a challenging post-partition atmosphere.
Criticizing the apathy of successive governments towards the Muslim minority, Prof. Salim lamented that numerous studies, including the noteworthy Sachar Committee report, have been conducted on the community’s socio-economic and educational status. However, these reports have been largely debated without any significant implementation of their recommendations.
Acknowledging the community’s progress in education despite these hurdles and the negative attitudes of some governments, the JIH leader commended, the establishment of numerous educational institutions and the achievements of students in higher education and civil services.
Stressing that the country’s progress hinges on the advancement of the Muslim minority, Prof. Salim urged the community to avoid self-blame and instead celebrate its achievements in the face of adversity. He concluded by referencing the Quran, stating that the Muslim community is meant to serve others.
Ali Javed, CEO of NOUS Network Pvt. Ltd., a Delhi-based think tank and media house, asserted that this report stands out as a truly unique attempt, as there is currently no existing comprehensive overview providing insights into the status of higher education in institutions catering to Muslims.
Ali Javed expressed the hope that this report would be an indispensable resource for academics, policymakers, and anyone interested in educational advancement. He believed it would significantly contribute to our understanding of Muslim-affiliated higher education institutions, paving the way for further discussions and initiatives in this area.
Emphasizing the importance of collective action, NOUS CEO explained that the purpose of convening this roundtable of experts, educators, academics, and stakeholders is to collaborate and find solutions to the community’s problems. He stressed that joint efforts are necessary for progress.
Expressing concern about the “extreme deprivation” faced by the community, not just in education but across various indicators, Javed proposed a multi-pronged approach, including data collection through surveys in Muslim-dominated areas, gathering disaggregated data, and developing the community’s own policy documents for negotiation with policymakers. He also emphasized the need for an evidence-based strategy for societal reform and infrastructure development.
Highlighting the study’s findings, researcher Abid Faheem, who played a key role in compiling the data, pointed out that Muslims constitute over 14% of India’s population. However, their representation in higher education remains low. According to the latest All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE-2021-22), only 4.8% of students enrolled in higher education are Muslims. This is even lower than the enrolment rates for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), which stand at 15.3% and 6.3% respectively. SCs and STs comprise 16.6% and 8.6% of the total population, respectively.
Faheem used a PPT to show that the gross enrolment ratio for Muslim students in colleges affiliated with Muslim institutions is 1.23. This ratio is significantly lower in universities, at just 0.23. The combined gross enrolment ratio for Muslim students is 1.46. However, the situation is even worse in institutions of national importance like IITs, IIITs, IISERs, NITs, and IIMs, where only 1.72% of students are Muslim.
Faheem expressed concern that despite the Sachar Committee report on the socio-economic and educational status of the Muslim community released 17 years ago, there has not been much progress. He noted that in 2006, when the Sachar report was published, Muslim enrolment in higher education was 3.6%. While efforts have been made to improve this ratio, the first AISHE report in 2012-13 showed only a 0.6% increase after six years. A decade later, the AISHE report indicated another modest increase of 0.6%. In contrast, other disadvantaged groups like SCs and STs have made significant progress. Their enrolment rates have risen from 2.4% in 2006 to 15.3% and 6.3% in 2021-22, respectively.
However, the enrolment rates for SCs and STs have shown a much sharper rise compared to Muslims. Their share in higher education has climbed from a combined 2.4% in 2006 to 15.3% for SCs and 6.3% for STs in 2021-22.
It’s important to note that the Sachar report initially reported a combined enrolment rate of 2.4% for SCs and STs.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Sanghmitra, Chairperson of the Centre for Social Medicine and Community Health at Jawaharlal Nehru University, appreciated the CSR and Nous Networks team. She also appreciated their work in clarifying some widely held misconceptions about the Muslim community.
Prof. Sanghmitra emphasized the importance of inclusivity in policymaking. However, she expressed concern about the gap between policy and reality. She pointed out that the Sachar Committee report had already documented the disadvantaged state of Muslims and provided evidence. She further noted that the Amitabh Kundu Committee report, which followed the Sachar Committee report and received less attention, showed minimal progress in the community’s status despite the evidence and recommendations presented earlier.
Prof. Sanghmitra also recommended collecting data on the Muslim community at the secondary level in addition to the primary level.
Dr. Kamal Farooqi, spokesperson for the AIMPLB and former chairman of the Delhi Minority Commission, emphasized the importance of shifting the Muslim community’s fundamental attitude and mindset towards education.
Prof. Sadia Halima, an economics professor at Jamia Millia Islamia University, asserted for a shift in focus from mere literacy rates, ratio, enrolment figures and the number of students or institutions to prioritizing knowledge and quality education.
Prof. Majid Jameel, an electrical engineering professor at Jamia Millia Islamia University, commended the CSR-NOUS Network for the study. He shared his experiences motivating students in his hometown Saharanpur, UP, to pursue higher education, while also expressing concern about the high dropout rate within the community.
Former civil servant Akhtar Mahboob Syed stressed the importance of data collection and studies to understand the socio-economic state of the Muslim community. He pointed out that while the Sachar Committee report receives much attention, the Amitabh Kundu Committee report and Professor Mattu reports are less discussed.
Having worked with various government departments, he questioned the impact of existing schemes aimed at improving education for minorities, such as pre and post matric scholarships and the Maulana Azad Foundation and Ministry of Minority affairs. He argued that the community itself needs to gather data on the effectiveness of these initiatives, as the government is unlikely to do so. In addition to data collection, he suggested addressing the “fear complex” within the community.
Mr. Nizamuddin Shaikh of the Institute of Objective Studies and the All India Milli Council highlighted three key points: Islamization of knowledge, changing the community’s attitude towards education, and establishing more educational institutions.
The Millat Time editor Shams Tabrez Qasmi also spoke on the occasion. In the open session, various noted participants expressed their views on the study.
The report illuminates the number and growth trajectory of Muslim-affiliated institutions, along with their demographic characteristics. It underscores the pressing need for policymakers to address the under-representation of Muslims in higher education. The report also provides valuable insights into the educational quality, programme offerings, and research output of these institutions.
Other Key Results of the Study:
Universities:
Out of the total 1113 universities in India as per AISHE 2020-21 data, 23 universities belong to Muslim Minority. The share of Muslim managed universities is just 2.1%.
2. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of universities, followed by Karnataka.
3. Of the 23 Muslim universities, the majority (43.5%) are privately managed, followed by public state universities (26.1%), deemed private universities (13%), and central universities (13%).
4. Around 69.9% of Muslim universities are located in urban areas.
5. Out of the total 97,928 students enrolled in the academic year 2021-22, 42.1% are Muslims, 52.7% are Hindus, and 5.2% belong to Other Minority groups.
6. Regarding Muslim students, there were 26,039 (63.09%) male students and 15,236 (36.91%) female students enrolled in Higher Education.
7. Among the 41,275 Muslim students enrolled, less than 1% represent Scheduled
8. Tribes, 34% were belong to Other Backward Classes, 42.8% were from the Unreserved Category, and the remaining 16.4% are from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
COLLEGES:
1. Out of the total 43,796 colleges in India as per AISHE 2020-21 data, 1,155 colleges are managed by Muslim minority community. It means that the share of Muslim managed colleges is just 2.6%.
2. Of these 1,155 colleges, 141 (12.2%) are technical colleges registered with the All India Council for Technical Education.
3. Despite making up 73.4% of all minority groups, Muslim minority communities only have a 16.6% share in technical colleges. In contrast, other minority groups, comprising 26.6% of the population, hold an 83.4% share in technical colleges.
4. 6.4% of Muslim colleges in India are exclusively for girls.
5. The top 10 states in terms of the number of colleges in India are Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Jammu & Kashmir. These states account for 90.47% of the total colleges in the country.
6. Of the 1,155 Muslim minority colleges, 85.5% are private (unaided), 10.6% are private (aided), and 3.9% are government colleges.
7. Kerala has 24.9 colleges per lakh population while UP has 4.9 colleges and West Bengal has a mere 1.8 colleges per lakh population. The national average of colleges per lakh population stands at 6.4%.
8. Of the 1155 Muslim minority colleges, 85.5% are private (unaided), 10.6% are private (aided), and 3.9% are government colleges.
9. About 57.8% of Muslim minority colleges are located in rural areas.
10. The majority of colleges (93.16%) offer Undergraduate level programs, while only 6.32% offer PhD level programs.
11. Kerala has the highest number of colleges offering PhD programs, followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
12. Around 51% of colleges only provide undergraduate level programmes.
13. Out of the total 524,441 students enrolled in the academic year 2021-22, 42.1% are Muslims, 55.1% are Hindus, and 2.8% belong to Other Minority groups.
14. In terms of Muslim students, there were 104,163 (47.18%) male students and 116,622 (52.82%) female students enrolled in Higher Education.
15. Among the 220,785 Muslim students enrolled, less than 1% represent Scheduled Tribes, 48.1% belong to Other Backward Classes, 50.7%
16. come from the Unreserved Category, and the remaining 0.9% are from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
17. 96.4% of colleges did not participate in the NIRF ranking of 2023.
18. None of the colleges secured a position in the top 100 in the NIRF 2023 college rankings.
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education / by Anwarulhaq Baig / May 15th, 2024
A recent study, coinciding with the hearing of the AMU minority status case in the Supreme Court, has revealed that the majority of students in Muslim minority institutions hail from the majority Hindu community.
According to the report, 52.7 per cent of students in the Muslim-run institutions are Hindus and only 42.1 per cent of students are Muslims.
These startling revelations have been made in two reports: “A Survey of Muslim-Affiliated Private Institutions of Higher Education in India” and “Two Decades after Sachar: A Socio-Economic Survey of Indian Muslims”.
These reports have been prepared by the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Study and Research (CSR) in collaboration with NOUS Network.
The reports were released by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind President Syed Sadatullah Husaini along with other dignitaries at the India International Centre here two days ago.
CRS is a not-for-profit organisation and aims at knowledge production in domains pertaining to all sciences impacting human civilisation. The CSR survey marks the first attempt of its kind to map the higher education institutes managed by the Muslim minority community across India. The data provides a reference point to track the growth in Muslim institutes over the coming years.
The findings of the report are quite significant to blast the stereotype view held by a section of the majority community having proximity to BJP and other groups who believe that only Muslim students study in the Muslim-run education institutes. This indicates that Muslim institutes not only serve the Muslim community which is educationally very backward but also the Hindu community students. To be exact, while these institutions have the title of minority-run institutions, they perform the role of national and secular institutions that offer education to all communities irrespective of their faith and culture. So, the role of Muslim institutions in spreading education to all communities is second to none.
The report says that Muslim minority manages 23 of India’s 1,113 universities where Hindu students account for 52.7% against 42.1 percent of Muslim students.
Similarly, across the 1,155 colleges managed by Muslim minorities, non-Muslims form the majority, with Hindus constituting 55.1% of enrolled students, followed by 42.1% Muslims and 2.8% belonging to other minority groups.
JIH chief hails reports prepared on Muslim-run institutions
Addressing the audience, JIH chief praised the survey that highlighted the contributions of Muslim-run institutions in not only providing education to Muslims but also to non-Muslims.
He commended their efforts in providing educational opportunities to vulnerable groups, communities, and female students.
With reference to the ongoing legal battle for Aligarh Muslim University’s minority status, Mr. Husaini emphasized the importance of minorities’ right to establish and manage their own educational institutions.
The JIH supremo described the two survey reports as “vital documents” offering valuable insights for government officials, policymakers, scholars, educators, community leaders, and researchers seeking to understand the educational landscape for Muslims in India.
Praising the data’s potential, the JIH President emphasized how it can improve education quality, uplift the Muslim community, and guide policy making towards equal educational opportunities for all.
“These findings, exploring diverse aspects of Muslim education, offer a roadmap for actionable initiatives,” he said.
CSR director Dr. Rizwan highlights Muslim institutions’ role in education
CSR Director Dr. Mohammad Rizwan highlighted the collaborative effort behind the study on Muslim-run institutions. He said, “Prepared with the help of NOUS Network led by CEO Ali Javed, the report examines higher educational institutions managed by Muslim societies and trusts, including those founded by Muslims and currently overseen by government agencies.”
Dr Rizwan, in his address, presented an analysis of student enrolment patterns, gender representation, and the socio-economic background of Muslim students.
In a conversation with this scribe, Dr. Rizwan emphasized the key takeaways from the report. He stressed the importance of understanding the dynamics of Muslim-run institutions for informed policymaking.
The report’s findings, he noted, highlight the unique needs of the Muslim minority in higher education and advocate for targeted interventions.
Speaking about the Indian Muslim community’s educational landscape, Dr. Rizwan reiterated the crucial role of institutions run by the Muslim minority and their significance in not only serving the community’s needs but also those of other communities. He stated that these institutions ultimately contribute to the nation’s educational advancement by uplifting a broader population.
CSR Director hailed the study as a groundbreaking first, highlighting that no previous research has investigated the number of higher education institutions affiliated with Muslim minority groups.
Dr. Rizwan explained the study’s unique methodology, highlighting its use of data from AISHE, AICTE, NCMEI, and NAAC reports to meticulously identify and compile a comprehensive list of Muslim-affiliated higher education institutions in India, ensuring a thorough analysis of the educational landscape.
Highlighting key findings of Muslim institutions survey
A striking finding from “A Survey of Muslim-Affiliated Private Institutions of Higher Education in India,” reveals that despite constituting 73.4% of all minority groups, Muslims manage only 16.6% of colleges run by minority communities. Conversely, other minority groups, representing 26.6% of the population, manage the remaining 83.4% of these colleges.
The survey found that in 1947, at the time of independence, there were only 22 Muslim higher education institutes. In over seven decades, this number has grown to just 1,178, which includes 23 universities and 1,155 colleges. Critics have pointed out that the Muslim community, which comprises over 14% of India’s population, did not undertake concerted efforts to establish educational institutes over this long period.
University Landscape
Among India’s 1,113 universities, 23 are categorized as Muslim minority institutions, according to the 2020-21 AISHE data. The report traces the growth of Muslim minority universities from just five at India’s independence in 1947 to the current 23. Despite the passage of 75 years, the Muslim community established only 18 additional universities. The majority (43.5%) are privately managed, and nearly 70% are located in urban areas, emphasizing the need for rural educational infrastructure.
Among the key findings, Uttar Pradesh, with the largest Muslim population in the country at around 38 million, has the highest number of Muslim universities (6), followed by Karnataka with three.
College Scenario
Among the 43,796 colleges in India, 1,155 are managed by the Muslim minority community. From 17 Muslim colleges in 1947, the number has surged to 1,155 over 75 years. In terms of growth trends, the decade from 2001-2010 saw the highest increase in number of Muslim colleges at 416, while in the most recent decade from 2011-2020, only 316 new colleges were established.
Kerala leads in terms of highest number of colleges at 211, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 209. The survey notes that 10 states – Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir account for over 90% of all Muslim colleges in the country. However, the majority of these colleges (57.8%) are in rural areas. Despite comprising 73.4% of all minority groups, Muslim minorities hold a mere 16.6% share in colleges, showcasing a significant disparity.
Muslim institutions lack participation in quality assessment
The report has sparked concern about the quality of education at Muslim-affiliated higher education institutions in India, highlighting their low participation in national quality assessment frameworks.
A staggering 90.65% of Muslim colleges and 56.5% of universities lack accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), a key benchmark for educational quality.
Only 21.7% of universities and a mere 3.1% of colleges participated in the 2023 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), with 96.4% of Muslim minority colleges entirely absent. Only 36 Muslim colleges participated in the NIRF ranking process of 2023, suggesting a potential need for further investigation and support to improve their standing.
No Muslim minority college secured a spot in the top 100 NIRF rankings, raising further questions about their overall academic standing.
Enrolment Patterns of Muslim students a cause for concern
The latest reports reveal a stark underrepresentation of Muslims in higher education, with only 4.9% enrolment as compared to other religious groups. In institutions of national importance, such as IITs, IIMs, and NITs, the representation drops to a mere 1.92%.
The report reveals that Muslim students predominantly opt for undergraduate programs (90.6%). The survey pegs the total enrolment in Muslim universities at around 98,000 students, while enrolment in Muslim colleges stands at over half a million. However, the majority of Muslim students opt for undergraduate programmes, with just about 8% pursuing Postgraduate courses and less than 1% enrolled in research programmes like MPhil and PhD.
The enrolment figures highlight the need for greater focus on higher education and research among the Muslim community.
The report also highlights gender-wise and social group-wise distribution of students, pointing out the need for increased representation of Muslims in higher education.
Female Enrolment Dominates Muslim Colleges
The survey points out that the share of female students among the Muslim student population is amazingly encouraging at over 52% in colleges and 37% in universities. In terms of social groups, about half of the enrolled Muslim students come from the general category, while around 48% are from OBCs. Representation from STs is negligible at less than 1%.
Females outnumbered males across all programme levels – undergraduate (50.9%), postgraduate (59.43%), and certificate (62.45%) in Muslim run colleges. This female majority even extends to Muslim students enrolled in colleges, with females constituting 52.82% of the total. Higher degree programmes (M.Phil. and Ph.D.) buck the trend, with male representation exceeding female.
Unlike colleges, universities witnessed a stark contrast, with males constituting 63.19% of the enrolled students. Only in the M.Phil. program did females hold a slight majority with 11 students enrolled.
Educators, policymakers see Muslim education report as roadmap for improvement
After launching the reports and briefing about them, a roundtable discussion was held, in which educators, policymakers, and stakeholders applauded the report on Muslim-managed higher education institutions as a valuable resource for addressing existing challenges.
Among those welcoming the report were JIH Markazi Taleemi Board (MTB) chairman Professor Mohammad Salim Engineer, Mr. M. Farooq (who runs various educational institutions in Maharashtra), and researcher Sadat Husain.
They described the survey report as a roadmap for improvement, offering insights and recommendations for policymakers and educators.
They also recommended enhancing access to higher education through scholarships and financial aid mechanisms exclusive for economically marginalized Muslim youths; creating special drives to encourage NAAC accreditation and NIRF participation among Muslim institutes; establishing dedicated cells to promote research publications from Muslim institutes; and exploring public-private partnerships and Resource Centres to elevate standards of existing Muslim colleges.
JIH Markazi Taleemi Board Director Syed Tanveer Ahmed stressed the importance of data collection and research for effective action.
“This report offers valuable insights,” he said, highlighting the need for “affirmative actions” based on data, not just “perceptions.” He urged the community and its NGOs to study the report and suggest concrete steps based on its findings.
Mr. Ahmed expressed the view that a well-informed minority can effectively play a role of majority in a democracy, underscoring the importance of trust in research and data to foster genuine awareness. He urged the Muslim community to actively engage in data collection, citing the commendable efforts of CSR in this regard.
According to Mr. Ahmed, community organizations should closely examine reports generated from surveys and provide valuable inputs on potential actions for both the community and its NGOs. He highlighted the need for strategic efforts in the political domain to advocate for affirmative action, emphasizing that the Muslim community often lacks interest, practice, and seriousness in collecting data.
The data collected, according to Mr. Ahmed, serves as a guide for implementing affirmative actions in the education sector for the Muslim community. He suggested that if the number of universities is insufficient, the government should formulate policies to facilitate the establishment of universities by Muslim NGOs and institutions. Additionally, Mr. Ahmed addressed some threats to the Muslim minority in the education sector, pointing to the misinterpretation of Article 30, particularly in reference to the AMU case.
The MTB director suggested that the two reports be discussed widely across the country at all levels – local, state, and national. He believes distributing the report to stakeholders and government agencies will generate broader discussion and potential impacts.
He also called upon social organizations to actively work towards altering the overall attitude of the Muslim community towards education.
CSR coordinator Syed Ahmed Muzakkir, who coordinated the event, presented a concise summary of the reports verbally.
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education / by Anwarulhaq Baig / February 07th, 2024
