Why India Needs Better Leaders in Higher Education Institutions

Hiring good leaders in higher education is not just about appointing someone with the right qualifications. It’s about choosing individuals who can shape the future of our universities, build inclusive academic environments, and take bold but balanced decisions. With India’s growing focus on improving global rankings and bringing reforms through NEP 2020, the role of

I’m writing about this topic because higher education in India is at a turning point. We’re trying to become a global education hub, and we’re pushing for better research, innovation, and teaching quality. But none of that will be possible without strong, ethical, and forward-thinking leaders. A vice-chancellor or a dean is not just an administrator—they are mentors, policy influencers, and role models. Yet, many appointments today are often driven by political or personal interests rather than merit. That’s not just unfair—it directly affects students, teachers, and the entire academic system. We need to ask: who are we trusting with our universities, and are they really the best fit?

What Makes a Good Higher Education Leader

When we talk about good leadership in education, we usually think of experience or a long CV. But a good leader is someone who can:

Understand both academics and administration
Build trust and motivate faculty and students
Handle policy and politics without bias
Encourage research, innovation, and collaboration
Ensure academic freedom and institutional integrity

A vice-chancellor, for example, should not just be a bureaucrat ticking boxes. They should inspire the campus to grow, adapt, and question. Someone who genuinely believes in education—not just in power or positions.

Why It’s a Problem Today

Across many Indian states, the process of hiring university heads is often opaque. Panels are formed, but final decisions are influenced by state governments or political connections. This can result in:

Appointing unqualified or poorly suited candidates
Delayed reforms or implementation of new policies
Bias in faculty hiring and promotions
Loss of credibility among students and staff

We’ve seen cases where some university heads were caught in controversies, failed to deliver on academic goals, or created a toxic work culture. When that happens, it’s not just the reputation of the university that suffers—it directly impacts students and their future prospects.

What Needs to Change

For India to really transform its higher education, the process of selecting academic leaders needs serious reform. Here are a few things that can help:

Use independent and transparent search committees with clear criteria
Involve diverse stakeholders like alumni, teachers, and students in feedback
Prioritise leadership qualities, ethical track record, and vision
Set fixed terms with regular performance reviews
Avoid political interference in appointments

Countries with top-ranked universities often have rigorous selection systems where competence, not connections, matters most. India should also move in that direction.

Why Students Should Care

At the end of the day, it’s students who are most affected by poor leadership. A bad leader can stall academic progress, cut down opportunities, and make campus life dull or difficult. On the other hand, a good leader can transform a small regional university into a place of national importance.

So, it’s not just a question for education officials—it’s something every parent, student, and teacher should think about.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.