Horizontal Accountability Practices

A recent contribution to a conference, in which I presented my ideas on horizontal accountability practices that may be relevant for Indian institutions of higher learning:

Dash, D. P. (2018, August). Viewing university–community linkage through the lens of accountability: Suggestions for new accountability practices. In University–community linkage (monograph released on the occasion of Odisha Vikash Conclave, 2018, pp. 3-5). Odisha State Open University, Sambalpur, India.

Abstract

I argue that, in India, the prevailing mechanisms of accountability have not oriented universities towards contributing to the public good. Significant aspects of public interest remain unfulfilled in the sphere of higher education and research. As a remedy, I propose new accountability practices, which would bring institutions closer to those voices and interests which have been marginalised due to the current centralised regulatory regime. I propose the following horizontal accountability practices: (a) Public Transparency, (b) Public Interaction, (c) Transdisciplinary Competency, and (d) Watchdog Journalism. Universities ought to demonstrate critical friendship with indigenous and other communities they aim to serve.