Expert panel to review private varsities' functioning

An expert committee of academic experts has been set up to review the functioning of existing deemed-to-be universities, parliament was told Monday.

"The government has constituted a committee of eminent academic experts to review the functioning of existing institutions deemed-to-be universities and the desirability of their continuance as such," Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

"On the basis of their evaluation and assessment, the review committee has reported that while some institutions deemed-to-be universities met the required benchmarks, some others would need some time to do," she said.

Irani also mentioned that the report indicated that 44 institutes, owing to deficiencies, "did not deserve to continue as institutions deemed-to-be universities".

Earlier, these concerns were also expressed by the Supreme Court in Viplav Sharma case regarding dilution of academic standards in certain institutions deemed to be universities.

In the Viplav Sharma vs Union of India case, a public interest litigation was initiated in 2006 and the Supreme Court had directed the government to maintain status quo with regard to these 44 institutions deemed-to-be universities.

Irani also said that to redress the grievances of students studying in private universities and colleges, University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified UGC (grievance redressal) Regulations, 2012.

"Each university including private university shall appoint an ombudsman for redressal of grievances of students," she said.

--Ind-Asian News Service

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