CHENNAI: The University Grants Commission has given seven deemed universities, including four from Tamil Nadu, a year to fix their deficiencies and submit a final compliance report, failing which they could lose their deemed university status.
In its latest meeting, UGC examined the reports of the expert committee on these institutions and found a number of deficiencies. "The commission noted that despite the lapse of several years, these institutions have not yet rectified their shortcomings," said the minutes of the meeting. It was decided at the meeting that the reports will be examined thoroughly to identify the major deficiencies, which will be then communicated to the ministry of human resource development and the Supreme Court, besides the seven institutions.
"After detailed deliberations, the commission has decided to give them a final opportunity to rectify their deficiencies within a maximum period of one year and submit the compliance report within this period, failing which recommendation will be made to the HRD ministry for denotification of their deemed-to-be status," the minutes said.
Some of the deemed universities claimed to have not yet received any official communication from UGC in this regard. Others said that they have started working on their deficiencies.
Chennai-based Bharath University, one of the seven, has to work on 23 major shortcomings and 17 minor ones. The report mentions that the university has to conduct national and international conferences in various fields, publish papers with high impact factors, follow the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations for faculty salary, and submit relevant land records and documents. Some of the minor recommendations include improving facilities for students and conducting cultural events in order to provide a holistic learning environment for them, encouraging the formation of professional associations like IEEE, and taking steps to empower women students.
"We held a meeting recently, and plan to meet the recommendations within a month or two. We are complying with most of the recommendations and expect to complete the preparations by March well before the January 2016 deadline," said K P Thooyamani, vice-chancellor of Bharath University.
Academics said that such a review should be extended to all the deemed universities across the country, irrespective of ranking, as it has been more than five years since the Tandon Committee inspected the institutions. "The Supreme Court has clearly held that review means physical inspection, which did not happen in the case of the Tandon Committee. This is an opportune time for UGC to exercise its statutory mandate to review all deemed universities. The Tandon Committee's findings cannot have an eternal validity without expiry date," said S Vaidhyasubramaniam, dean of planning and development of Sastra University.
In its latest meeting, UGC examined the reports of the expert committee on these institutions and found a number of deficiencies. "The commission noted that despite the lapse of several years, these institutions have not yet rectified their shortcomings," said the minutes of the meeting. It was decided at the meeting that the reports will be examined thoroughly to identify the major deficiencies, which will be then communicated to the ministry of human resource development and the Supreme Court, besides the seven institutions.
"After detailed deliberations, the commission has decided to give them a final opportunity to rectify their deficiencies within a maximum period of one year and submit the compliance report within this period, failing which recommendation will be made to the HRD ministry for denotification of their deemed-to-be status," the minutes said.
Some of the deemed universities claimed to have not yet received any official communication from UGC in this regard. Others said that they have started working on their deficiencies.
Chennai-based Bharath University, one of the seven, has to work on 23 major shortcomings and 17 minor ones. The report mentions that the university has to conduct national and international conferences in various fields, publish papers with high impact factors, follow the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations for faculty salary, and submit relevant land records and documents. Some of the minor recommendations include improving facilities for students and conducting cultural events in order to provide a holistic learning environment for them, encouraging the formation of professional associations like IEEE, and taking steps to empower women students.
"We held a meeting recently, and plan to meet the recommendations within a month or two. We are complying with most of the recommendations and expect to complete the preparations by March well before the January 2016 deadline," said K P Thooyamani, vice-chancellor of Bharath University.
Academics said that such a review should be extended to all the deemed universities across the country, irrespective of ranking, as it has been more than five years since the Tandon Committee inspected the institutions. "The Supreme Court has clearly held that review means physical inspection, which did not happen in the case of the Tandon Committee. This is an opportune time for UGC to exercise its statutory mandate to review all deemed universities. The Tandon Committee's findings cannot have an eternal validity without expiry date," said S Vaidhyasubramaniam, dean of planning and development of Sastra University.
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