UGC directs varsities to rectify deficiencies within stipulated time

One more year has been granted by the UGC to seven deemed universities to set right various deficiencies in their operations. The period is extended under 'C' category, providing much-needed respite and time. All the universities are directed to rectify deficiencies within the stipulated period or else they stand to face notification.

Out of 41 deemed universities, eight universities in the country, have been verified by the UGC, following the directions of Supreme court to conduct physical verification of universities that are under Judicial inspection for being unable to meet different criteria needed for recognition.

UGC had completed physical verification of eight universities as per the court directive and found them lacking in certain parameters. Thereafter, the commission granted seven of these varsities another year to do away with the deficiencies in terms of infrastructure and faculty.

According to information from UGC, "These universities have to submit the compliance report within the completion of one year granted by UGC. If not, a recommendation for denotification of their status will be extended to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)".

In 2014 , the SC had directed UGC to check the reports of all the 41 deemed varsities and provide relevant recommendations to the central government.

These universities had appealed to the SC, after being assigned the ‘C' category by the Tandon Committee in 2009.

As per SC direction, a committee was constituted under UGC, which addressed all the 41 deemed universities individually. These universities were inspected on the basis of nine parameters and they scored inadequately in most of them.

Few such parameters included conformity to provisions of the UGC Act and UGC guidelines, quality of and innovation in teaching-learning process, aspects of governance, research output, faculty resources, doctoral and other research degree programs, admission processes, award of degrees, etc.

It is to be noted that the Center is planning to formulate a new system to grade universities of the country, according to a recent communication to the SC. At present, the government is in the process of consulting different stakeholders, including the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the UGC and the National Assessment & Accreditation Council (NAAC), to frame the criteria required for grading the varsities.

Source: TOI