Question : COLLEGES AND COURSES FOR WOMEN

(a) the total number of women colleges in the country;

(b) the total number of women study centres established in colleges and universities during the last three years and the current year in the country, State-wise including Odisha;

(c) whether the Government proposes to set up Central University for Women across the country, including Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has plans to open engineering and home science colleges/institutes exclusively for girls and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(e) whether the Government has undertaken any programme to increase the percentage of women educators including women teachers, women principals of schools and training institutions, women vice chancellors and professors in the universities and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the number of women`s study courses available in different universities?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a): The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that there were 4506 women colleges in the country during the year 2013-14.

(b): The UGC has further informed that courses on Women Studies are being taught in 47 Universities in various states in the country, including in Odisha, at Undergraduate, Postgraduate, M.Phil/Ph.D, Diploma and Certificate levels. Statewise list is at Annexure.

(c): There is no bill pending in Parliament proposing to set up a Central University for women in the country.

(d): The UGC has informed that Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu is a Women deemed to be university receiving Plan and Non-Plan grants from the UGC.

(e): The UGC Standing Committee for Women Studies is monitoring the implementation of the scheme of “Capacity Building of Women Managers in Higher Education” for promoting women managers in higher education. The Central Government has not prescribed any reservations for women in teacher education institutions/programmes and in teaching positions in universities and colleges. Some State Governments have, however, prescribed reservations for women in teacher education institutions.

(f): Women Studies are being taught in 47 Universities in various states in the country at Undergraduate, Postgraduate, M.Phil/Ph.D, Diploma and Certificate levels.