Meaning, aims & objectives of higher education
“Education is what remains after one has
forgotten what one has learned in school”.
– Albert Einstein
Introduction
|
|
Higher
education provides people with an opportunity to reflect on the critical,
social, economic, cultural, moral and spiritual issues facing humanity. It
contributes to national development through dissemination of specialized
knowledge and skill. Being at the apex of the educational pyramid, it has also
a key role in producing teachers for the education system.
Meaning of higher education
Ø
Education from graduation to Ph.D. and post
Ph.D. is called higher education. Higher education, any of various types of
education given in post-secondary institutions of learning and usually
affording, at the end of a course of study, a named degree, diploma, or
certificate of higher studies.
Ø
Higher-educational institutions include not only
universities and colleges but also various professional schools that provide
preparation in such fields as law, theology, medicine, business, music, and
art.
Ø
Higher education also includes teacher-training
schools, junior colleges, and institutes of technology.
Ø
The basic entrance requirement for most
higher-educational institutions is the completion of secondary education, and
the usual entrance age is about 18 years.
Higher education is also known as;
·
Tertiary
education
·
University
education
·
Post-secondary
education
·
Third-level
education
Aims
of higher Education
The
aims of higher education are as follows
(1) Wisdom and knowledge
Since
education is both a training of minds and souls, so it should give both
knowledge and wisdom. No amount of factual information would take ordinarily
into educated men unless something is awakened in them. Therefore, there should
be inculcation of wisdom and knowledge.
(2) Aims of the social order
Our
education system must find its guiding principle in the aims of the social
order for which it prepares. Unless we preserve the value of democracy,
justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, we cannot Preserves our freedom.
(3) Love for higher values of life
The
greatness of a country does not depend on the extent of its territory, the
length of its communication or the amount of its wealth, but on the love for
higher values of life. We must develop thought for the poor and sufferings,
regards and respect for women, faith in brotherhood regardless of race, colour,
religion etc.
(4) Training for leadership
One
of the important aims of higher education is the training for leadership in the
profession and public life. It is the function of universities to train men and
women for wise leadership.
Objectives of higher education
·
To seek and cultivate new knowledge vigorously
in the pursuit of truth and to interpret old knowledge in the light of new
needs and discoveries.
·
To provide the right kind of leadership in all
walks of life.
·
To identify gifted youth and help them to develop
their potentiality to the full.
·
To provide society with competent men and women
trained in agriculture, arts, medicine, science and technology.
·
To strive to promote equality and social justice
and to reduce social and cultural differences.
·
To foster in teachers and students the attitudes
and values needed for developing the ‘good life’ in individuals and society.
·
To develop higher education system through
organization of different educational activities.
Conclusion
India's higher
education system is the world's third-largest in terms of students, next to
China and the United States. The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of India in higher
education is only 25.2% which is quite low as compared to the developed and
other major developing countries. Higher education, any of various types of
education given in post secondary institutions of learning and usually
affording, at the end of a course of study, a named degree, diploma, or
certificate of higher studies. The aims of higher education are wisdom, knowledge,
research & development, leadership training & development of social
order.