THE OMBUDSMAN’S ROLE IN CHANGING THE CONFLICT RESOL UTION SYSTEM IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

In recent years we have seen a burst of interest in organizational conflict resolution system design. Colleges and Universities are among those i nstitutions that have expressed rising concern to f ind alternative means of managing conflict. Existing av enues of conflict resolution are woefully inadequat e and frustration is growing amongst students and fac ulty who are not satisfied with existing avenues of academic conflict resolution. Existing system of conflict resolution in education al institutions is only by way of litigation which is very expensive and time consuming resulting in delayed justice and in some cases only judgements not justice. The ombudsman is a person who knows the academic system and knows what is bothering people at all levels and wh at t ey want, the Ombudsman understands the organization culture and has the obligation to make recommendations for change. T his paper will focus on the pivotal roles that may be played by the univ ersity ombudsman.


INTRODUCTION
The word "ombudsman" has Swedish origins, and was first used as a public office In Sweden.
The term refers to "a person who has an ear to the people." In American colleges and universities, the office is often referred to as an "agent for justice" within the complex institutional systems of higher education. Ombudsman is "Public safety Valve" against mal-administration. A good system of administration, in the ultimate analysis has to be responsible and responsive to the people. An

OMBUDSMAN IN HIGHER EDUCATION
The origins of the University Ombudsperson can be found in the United States in Eastern Montana College, where in 1966 the first ombudsperson began to work; and Michigan State University established an ombuds office in 1967. Since then the presence of the ombudsperson has increased considerably, since then, ombudsperson offices can be found in around 200 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. And it also appears that number is growing.
A university ombudsperson is an independent, impartiality and neutral person to whom students, staff, faculty and/or administrators can turn in a formal/informal and confidential manner for help with their complaints about the university and its community. The University Ombudsperson does not have executive power and his/her interventions are confined to the elaboration of reports, recommendations or resolutions, which in no case can be considered administrative acts, nor are they binding or can they be appealed. The University Ombudsperson acts on request of the parties and, although there are variations in accordance with the statutes of each university, she may often also act ex-officio. The University Ombudsperson is not subjected to any imperative mandate, and acts with autonomy and independently of all university organs, though he/she normally presents and explains his activities to the university senate in an annual report for each academic year. The problems that the University Ombudsman Office and increasing prices how the middle class Indian people will pay huge amounts for higher and Technical education. So it has become a distant dream for the middle class to get higher education. It is surprising to note that even project reports of MCA and MBA are available for sale. This clearly shows how the education system is commercialized.
In this era of privatization, there has been a tremendous growth in the number of Private professional colleges. This growth has no doubt contributed to a quantitative increase in the number of colleges providing higher education but this has been at the cost of quality, as the Government does not exercise sufficient control over 'unaided colleges'. Statistics shows that the number of public institutions -both government and aided institutions has increased only marginally, private institutions have increased significantly. Private universities and foreign education providers that financially independent are also emerging on the scene. In future the number of government and private aided universities and colleges is not likely to increase significantly while the number of private unaided higher education institutions may increase.

PREVAILING MALPRACTICES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
In a recent report of Nasscom and the report which is doing rounds in the Mail boxes of everyone is what says that 75 percent engineering students in India are unemployable, education experts said that the Indian higher education system is not giving skill building and practical training equal importance as academics to give them an edge. The national employability report compiled by Aspiring Minds revealed that only 17.45 percent of technical graduates in the country are ready to be employed. What this also means is that the rest, that is, 82.55 per cent, engineering graduates are unemployable.
There are private universities that make it simpler to get the degrees, as there will not be any botheration for the attendance. Two or three days of attendance are sufficient to get a PhD degree. Also there is no need to worry about the synopsis or thesis as well; these shops which have been blatantly selling these degrees, where candidates don't even need to appear for an entrance test. The study and admission centres of these private universities are not affiliated to any recognized universities. And yet, hoardings put by them testimony to illegal degree enterprise flourishing in the city.

ROLE OF OMBUDSMAN IN MANAGING CONFLICTS IN INDIA
And this is precisely where the University Ombudsperson can help resolve the conflict, facilitating processes of mediation. It offers parties involved in conflicts and problems the opportunity to meet with one impartial, trained mediator who will support better communication countries so there will be checks and balances and fine tuning of standards. So Ombudsman proves to be a good move that will bring accountability in the working of private institutions which are meant to serve the public.

CONCLUSIONS
Mediation in academia is a viable process for resolving conflicts. Ombudsman possesses a unique ability and perspective to initiate and implement change, to understand the impact of this change on the organization, and to provide support for it. Since ombudsman function on persuasive powers and credibility, they are in an ideal position to champion change. Ombudsmen in higher education were pioneers in dispute resolution in other countries and in the future they should lead the way in the design and implementation of conflict resolution systems in India as well. There is a dire need of ombudsman in India since lot of irregularities and malpractices are taking place, so ombudsman will act as deterrent for the existing institutions.