Strategic planning in universities

Indian education has one of the largest networks of educational institutions at all levels. But there is rapid rise in the demand for all kinds of degrees from all quarters of society which is proving to be critical for the efficiency in corporate India. Quality management education as value for money has a retrospective element as it is a measure of institutional accountability that emerges from student evaluation of teaching and effective learning experience. Consequently, this evaluation forms the basis of Central Government/UGC/AICTE reports, and subsequently, policy directions.

Globally, increasing emphasis is being placed in the development of quality improvement and quality assurance mechanisms within Indian universities to demonstrate consistent quality of teaching of individual universities for their student output. Thus, student output of universities for higher education sector are management graduates and post graduates who will meaningfully contribute to India's development trying to integrate itself globally. Therefore, there is a pressing need for continuous interaction between academic institution, industry, research and development and funding agencies. A synergy process has to be carried out between strategic partners in business activities complementing in research, objectives, vision and goals.

Successful strategic planning process will define the common purposes that bring and hold together the many elements of the university community. The commitment to academic excellence is the value we, as a community, hold most central and dear. Academic excellence drives the three parts of the university mission: instruction, research, and service. By stressing excellence in our academic standards and the instruction, research, and service it fosters; by supporting and celebrating the diversity of our community; by emphasizing the importance of teaching; and by encouraging a shared sense of responsibility, we will be able to realize our collective obligation to use our resources wisely and creatively in accomplishing our mission.

Strategic planning in universities is important, because:

To state that the school has a clear mission, has clarity in meeting its objectives, maintains transparency in executing its activities, and strives for quality and continuous improvement of its programs.

To survive in the current competition. Though colleges have been teaching about 'competition' for a long time, they hardly faced it. Today, colleges are facing tremendous competition as the number of schools offering business programs is increasing.

To distinguish from the other colleges, as every school claims that its program is the best. In reality, every college operates in an environment that is unique to it.

Several colleges offer various types of programs and the objectives, curriculum; instruction methodology of each program differs from those programs offered by other schools. In these circumstances, accreditation is a proof that a college maintains quality and continuous improvement in its programs. The Strategic Management Standards emphasize on the school's' Mission statement.'

According to these standards, the school's mission statement should:

Be published and the views of the stakeholders be considered in reviewing/revising it.

Be in-line with the current requirements of higher education in management.

Specify the student population that the school intends to serve.

Specify the 'action items' that explain the school's continuous improvement efforts.

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