What will I do if....

What will I do if I had plenty of Money?

This question will reveal how much inconsistent I am, just like this blog. It depends, well, on when and where I ask myself. Given the fact that I am not going to earn a million (unless one of those spam messages from some unknown African "well wisher" proves true, and they transfer millions to my bank account without my permission), I can go any extent in dreaming.

If, today, some one asks me what I will do, if I am a millionaire, my answer will be : " Set up a New University!"

The trigger, was a look at the smooth and splendid brochure of "Indian Business School (IBS)" that was lying on the lab desk. The Brochure was impressive with visual description of the world class (read western class) 'class rooms', the network, the connectivity, the gym, the AC apartments, and the like...And finally, as I guessed, it even contained a list of banks from where you can get an educational loan.

I was very much impressed.

Then I was wondering at the model of education the B-schools and in general, top professional schools are following.

They get the top quality guys and girls, and boasts of the quality of their products.

Well, is there any real challenge involved? To mold (already seasoned) brains into top quality business/technical leaders?

What if you take in the most unprivileged, and "ordinary" young men and women, and give them fundamental training to get into the leadership...!

No constraints on the communication skills, no great 'analytical skills', no GMAT/CAT/GRE, no great CGPA, no great bank balance....

Impossible...huh? (and what a stupid idea, this man seems to be a ....?)

Why?

Because you need to attain a basic level for such 'higher education"? Now I understand the crux of the problem. Even money is not the important problem. It is the basic education that matters.

So then, why a University than a school? Well, a different school is definitely a great idea to begin with. But there are quite a handful of such unconventional schools already out there in our country. Only under privileged children are 'fortunate' enough to undergo such a brave training. But what after that? Most conventional universities allow students from with informal education to enroll in the regular courses.

That's why an unconventional university is needed.

The University's entry requirements will largely favour all kinds of unconventional learning, along with conventional qualifications. In effect, it will give ample opportunities for those in the marginalised sectors to have quality education.

I believe that at least a handful of graduates of such a University will not get lured in the lucrative 'careers' of the corporate world, instead do some thing really useful to eradicate poverty. This, may be because of the kind of open and inclusive education they receive in the University. It would also be stupid to expect Corporates recruiting from such a University.

To survive, the University may also sell the seats, contrary to my own belief that imparting knowledge shall not be business. The university may sell the seats to the rich, if they want to get an unconventional 'fashion' degree that will add more 'value' to their 'show-off' culture, at a very high price, which will be used to fund the education of the poor, in the University and in schools nearby. The university will also seek unconditional financial support from the public or companies to provide free education for all (except for affluent people).

There was a recent ruling, that in Self-financing Colleges, there cannot be two types of fee, as it is against the constitution. Well, my legal knowledge is limited, so taking a cue from the recent happenings, I would like to set up the University inside a SEZ (Special Economic Zone). The reasons are obvious. But this University will not be set up in agricultural land, rather it would use a barren land and have a mission plan to convert it into a green campus. Efforts will be made to get 'carbon credits' from Shell, Exxon Mobil and George Bush.

A few Indian companies may also be willing (or liable?) to pay the carbon credit ("Mera sapna, sabka 'maal' apna").

The Mission of the University will be to start many 'real' primary and secondary schools, through the alumni of the University. (What about the chain of not-for-profit schools called India Basic Schools - IBS?).

The vision of the University will be to impart open and just education. The University will not be impartial, nevertheless. There are "religious universities" in the U.S teaching "creation science". But our University will have a declared action policy towards welfare of the society in harmony with the natural world. The University will endeavour for the transformation of each member of the university (a student, a professor, alumni or any employee will be a member) along the ideals that it suggests.


I will update this dream in a second part.

:)