Archived: Preparing America

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Community Colleges

• Presented by
• Professor Vijay Kapur, MBA, PhD, IAS
• Currently on Inter-University deputation as
• Advisor to the Vice Chacellor, Indira Gandhi
  National Open University
• Maidan Garhi, New Delhi 110068. India
• November 3, 2009

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• The highest education is that which does not
  merely give us information but makes our life in
  harmony with all existence. Rabindranath Tagore.
• Literary education is of no value, if it is not
  able to build up a sound character. Mahatma
  Gandhi.

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The Concept of the Community College System

• The Community College is an alternative system of
  education, which is aimed at
• the empowerment of the disadvantaged and the
  underprivileged (Urban poor, Rural poor, Tribal
  poor and Women) through appropriate skills
  development leading to gainful employment in
  collaboration with the local industry and the
  community and achieve skills for employment and
  self employability of the above sections of
  people in the society. The Community College is
  an innovative educational alternative that is
  rooted in the community providing holistic
  education and eligibility for employment to the
  disadvantaged and the economically vulnerable.

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Community Colleges

• American Scenario

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A National Resource

• 1,600 community and technical colleges
• 11.5 million students enrolled
• 6.5 million in credit programs
• 5 million in non-credit programs
• Source American Association of Community
  Colleges (AACC)

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Community College Fast Facts

• Number and Type of Colleges
• Total 1,195
• Public 987
• Independent 177
• Tribal 31
• Source AACC

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Enrollment

• Total 11.5 millionCredit 6.5
  millionNoncredit 5 millionEnrolled full time
  41Enrolled part time 59

Source AACC
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Demographics

• Average age 2921 or younger 4322 to 39
  4240 or older 16Women 60Men
  40Minorities 35Black 13Hispanic
  15Asian/Pacific Islander 6Native American
  1First generation to attend college 39Single
  parents 17Non-U.S. citizens 8
• Source AACC

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The Changing U.S. Workforce
Unskilled 10
Skilled 20
Unskilled 60
Skilled 70
Professional 20
Professional 20
1950
2005
Source AACC
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Community College Students Percentages of
Undergraduates

• All U.S. undergraduates 46First-time freshmen
  41Native American 55Asian/Pacific Islander
  46Black 46Hispanic 55
• Source AACC

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Employment Status

• Full-time students employed full time
  27Full-time students employed part time
  50Part-time students employed full time
  50Part-time students employed part time 33

Source AACC
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Why Community Colleges?
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The Value of Community Colleges

• Community colleges are well adapted to meeting
  the needs of local employers. Theyre flexible,
  theyre able to say to an employer, what do you
  need, and well educate the people for the kind
  of workers you need.
• Former President of America
• George W. Bush

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Assets of Community Colleges

• Local, affordable access to higher education
• Key role in preparing students for the workplace
  and
• Specialized training and education to meet local
  workforce needs.

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Community College Initiatives
Labor Market ResponsivenessAccelerating Student
Success Through Credit-Based OptionsAdult
Education to Community College Transitions
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Community College Initiatives
Community College capacity-buildingHigh Skills
for High Growth CareersCommunity Leadership
InitiativeCollege and Career Transitions
Initiative
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• Community Colleges In India

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Total Number of Colleges in India
Source (MCRDCE), Chennai
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Total Number of Colleges in India

• Tamilnadu - 75
• Pondicherry - 01
• Andhra Pradesh - 03
• Delhi - 01
• Karnataka - 02
• Chhattisgarh - 03
• Kerala - 05
• Maharashtra - 01
• Gujarat - 02
• Jharkhand - 01
• Uttranchal - 01
• Total - 95

Source MCRDCE
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Qualification
Source MCRDCE
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Total Number of Students in Community Colleges by
2006
Source MCRDCE
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Culture and Education

• Is the American model of Community Colleges
  suitable for Indian people?

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Cultural Dimensions of Education

• Higher education is required to pursue and accept
  cultural identity, promote cultural values,
  protect and encourage cultural diversity and
  participate actively in developing intercultural
  understanding. This goal finds resonance in both
  the American and Indian perspectives though the
  level of implementation varies.
• The American Approach Altruism and financial
  rewards are compatible not competing goals. This
  does not resonate within the Indian setting where
  social and developmental goals take prominence.

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Conclusion

• Universality of education implies that the goal
  not only to train but to educate. This aspect is
  yet to evolve totally within the Indian setting.
• Cultural beliefs and attitudes impact directly on
  personal behavior which is also influenced by the
  level of cultural competence. This must be
  included within the Indian model which is
  evolving.
• Need to establish a mentoring relationship
  between each functional Indian Community College
  and an experienced American Community College.
  This could be based on the sister city model.

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• Upon the subject of education, not presuming to
  dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can
  only say that I view it as the most important
  subject which we as a people may be engaged in.
  That everyone may receive at least a moderate
  education appears to be an objective of vital
  importance. Abraham Lincoln. Education is an
  ornament in prosperity and a refuge in
  adversity. Aristotle.

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• THANK YOU

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• Q A