All You Need to Know About the Vidyanjali Higher Education Scheme

The University Grants Commission has taken a step toward helping faculties, learners, and institutions overcome their educational capacity building and infrastructure barriers. In this scheme, teachers, students, alumni, and the general public will be encouraged to contribute to the betterment of higher education through community service.

What is the Vidyanjali Scheme?

The Ministry of Education has undertaken a new initiative known as the Vidyanjali Scheme. Vidyanjali is a volunteer program that aims to improve the quality of education in government-run educational institutions by taking help from the private sector and the community. Under the Vidyanjali scheme, higher education institutions lacking resources will receive support through the community and private sector involvement.

Objectives of the Vidyanjali Scheme

• Remedial Classes – Higher educational institutions may hold remedial classes for students who need them with the help of volunteers who may be faculties (retd. /serving) serving and retired scientists/government/semi-government officials, retired armed forces personnel, self-employed and salaried professionals, alumni of educational institutions, non-resident Indians (NRI), recipients of fellowships, NSS, NCC cadets, etc.
• Faculty Training Programs – Higher educational institutions may conduct training programs for their faculties, staff, and other personnel. Such training programs may be run by volunteers who are faculties (retd. /serving) serving and retired scientists/government/semi-government officials, retired armed forces personnel, self-employed and salaried professionals, alumni of educational institutions, non-resident Indians (NRI), recipients of fellowships, NSS, NCC cadets, etc.
• Infrastructure Support – HEIs will receive support for developing infrastructures such as laboratories, digital equipment, electrical equipment, etc., through CSR funding from corporates, individuals, non-resident Indians, or persons of Indian origin through voluntarism.
• Coaching – A target of 5000 coaching centers run by volunteers should be started in higher education institutions across India.
• Support for Economically Weaker Sections – The National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) will be an integrator for EdTech. They will provide free seats to 25% of the total students from economically and socially weaker sections of the society. IDEA labs will be promoted in a big way and will receive 50% support from corporates.

The Vidyanjali Scheme covers the following –

• Handholding for Institution Development
  Support by sharing resources, augmenting, restructuring, or repurposing existing resources. Support for knowledge by donating books, instruments, lab equipment, scholarships, and conducting free workshops.
• Handholding for Faculty Members
  Reducing the load of faculty members by dividing the teaching responsibilities among existing faculties and volunteers. Offering consultancy on specific topics or study areas. Allowing internships in the private sector to students.
• Handholding With Student
  Guest lectures in the institution, tutoring of students. Organizing extra-curricular activities such as technology festivals, management festivals, college fete, etc. Organizing workshops for communication skills, soft skills, and personality development. Holding special classes to impart vocational skills, mentoring, and coaching for inherent life skills.

Code of Conduct for Vidyanjali Scheme

1. Vidyanjali applies to central and state government and government-aided higher educational institutions
2. The Ministry of Education and the department of higher education reserve the right to revise any terms and conditions for volunteers in the Vidyanjali scheme. Volunteers are advised to make themselves aware of the latest terms and conditions before joining.
3. Volunteers may not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages from or connected with any activity/task/contribution delegated to a volunteer or an employee of a volunteering organization.
4. Volunteers will not receive any remuneration from the institution or the government under the Vidyanjali initiative.
5. The volunteer should follow strict confidentiality and not reveal any information critical to the institution to any person, organization, or social media platform.
6. Volunteers will conduct themselves professionally in their relationship with the institute authorities and the public.
7. Volunteers have to submit a report of their work at the end of their project.
8. Delegation of activity to the volunteer does not entitle them to any claim towards employment (whether for teaching/non-teaching activities) in the institute or Ministry/Department.
9. The period of service rendered by the volunteer cannot be claimed as a full-time work experience. Any certificate of acknowledgment/ appreciation issued by the institute cannot be claimed as an experience certificate.
10. The institute authorities would decide the designated man-hours for the volunteering activity in consultation with the volunteer. The volunteer may follow the same for the successful completion of the activity.
11. The volunteer has to provide a self-certificate for the assets/material/equipment legally owned by the volunteer is/are in good working condition. And mention that the volunteer is transferring ownership rights of the asset/material/equipment to the institute.
12. The VIDYANJALI (Higher Education) is only a platform to bring together institute and Volunteers/voluntary contributions. The Ministry of Education shall not be responsible for verification of the requirements posted by the institute/ States or for verification of credentials of the volunteer or the work done by them. These shall be the responsibility of the respective stakeholders.
13. The contribution should not lead to creating any temporary or permanent liability on the Institute/State/National level.

Higher education institutions waiting in line for help from the government may receive immediate aid through Vidyanjali. When the community comes together to help enhance the abilities of a knowledge centre, we can benefit from that as a nation. CollPoll can help you figure out how to avail the benefits of the Vidyanjali Scheme for your institution. Get in touch with us today!