ASSESSING THE QUALITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION: A STUDY OF UNIVERSITIES IN MAHARASHTRA

सार

This study delves into an assessment of higher education quality and accessibility within Maharashtra, with a specific focus on universities situated in Nasik. The primary objective is to furnish comprehensive insights into the efficacy of interventions geared towards augmenting perceptions regarding higher education quality and accessibility among students. Employing a quantitative research approach, a sample comprising 150 participants drawn from Nasik's university landscape was meticulously selected. The research framework embraced a pre- and post-test design, bifurcating participants into experimental and control groups to gauge shifts in perceptions subsequent to interventions. Data analysis entailed statistical computations of mean and standard deviation, correlation analyses, and group comparison utilizing the 't' test. The study's findings illuminate a significant enhancement in perceptions regarding higher education quality and accessibility within the experimental group post-intervention, in contrast to the control group. Noteworthy increments in mean scores for both quality and accessibility were discernible among experimental group participants, indicative of the affirmative repercussions stemming from targeted interventions. Furthermore, correlation analyses unearthed a robust positive correlation between perceived quality and accessibility, underscoring the symbiotic relationship between these facets in shaping individuals' higher education perceptions. The 't' test for group comparison yielded a statistically significant distinction between the experimental and control cohorts, validating the intervention's efficacy in bolstering perceptions within the former. Conversely, no discernible alterations were evident in perceptions within the control group, accentuating the imperative for tailored interventions to instigate substantial enhancements in higher education perceptions. This study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of higher education quality and accessibility within the Nasik, Maharashtra educational landscape. By meticulously dissecting the impact of targeted interventions on perceptual shifts, it illuminates pathways for fortifying the higher education ecosystem. This research underscores the critical need for policymakers and educational institutions to adopt proactive strategies aimed at ameliorating both the quality and accessibility dimensions of higher education.