These institutions would be equipped with the latest facilities, follow the semester system and allow credit transfers in order to prevent the influx of thousands of students from as far as the North- East and down south to prestigious colleges in Delhi and Mumbai. Significantly, according to estimates, about 10 per cent of the students who make a beeline for admission to DU are outsiders.

The scheme aims at expanding the number of higher education institutions in the country with a clear focus on neglected regions. The proposal would also be in sync with the government's objective of increasing the number of colleges to raise the gross enrolment ration (GER) from the existing 13.5 per cent to 23.5 per cent.

The UGC has conveyed this, along with several other measures, to the Planning Commission to boost higher education in the 12th five- year plan period beginning 2012. Although framed way back in 2009, the proposal had no takers owing to its being skewed against the states.

The HRD ministry expected the states to set up these colleges, especially in remote areas, by coughing up two- thirds of the share of expenditure.

The Centre would bear only one- third of the 8-crore amount needed for each college. Unsurprisingly, only 37 colleges have been set up in eight states across the country.

To address the situation, the UGC has proposed that the Centre should take on the entire burden of establishing model colleges. It has been envisaged that these institutions would inculcate reforms such as the semester system and credit transfers.

The UGC has noted in its approach paper, a copy of which is in the possession of MAil Today, that the government's own records underscore the regional imbalance. For instance, the North- East has only 3.5 per cent colleges of the country, leaving students from the area with little choice but to make their way to the Capital and other prominent education hubs.

Emphasising on the need for a greater central role in setting up these institutions, the UGC has argued that the majority of good colleges - especially those imparting professional education - are concentrated in the private sector, making them unaffordable for large sections of society. The UGC proposal states: "The scheme needs to be accelerated for the low GER districts, with 100 per cent Central funding in order to promote inclusiveness and expansion." The colleges will have to be set up according to the requirements of students from particular states. They could be either arts and science colleges or professional or even community institutions, depending on the local need. The state government's role, as envisaged by the UGC, would be to provide land, water supply and electricity in addition to maintaining these colleges.

If this scheme gets the green light from the Planning Commission and Union government, higher education will chart a new course in the 12th plan.

And there will be new avenues to accommodate students.