Varsities should adopt choice-based credit course: Panel

A committee, set up by the HRD Ministry to prepare a single bill governing all central universities, has suggested that varsities should adopt a choice-based credit course along with semester system within the minimum possible time.
Batting for complete autonomy in academic matter of these institutes, it said the move would "bring in flexibility in the academic structure besides promoting students' mobility both within the country and abroad".
All the central institutions should also set up an internal quality assurance cell to continuously assess performance on various parameters and the output performance should be made public to ensure accountability.
Besides, efforts should also be made to ensure that academic calendars are synchronised at least for universities within a state so that students are not put to any inconvenience in the event of mobility from one university to another, it suggested.

The three-member committee, headed by former VC of Central University of Karnataka Prof A M Pathan, was set up to prepare a single legislation for all the central universities as recommended by Madhav Menon Committee on autonomy of central educational institutions including central universities.
There are 43 central universities. Barring 12 new central universities set up through an act of Parliament in 2009, all others have been set up under separate central acts and have peculiar characteristics and different statutes.

Significantly, the committee, in its report submitted last month suggested setting up of a council of vice chancellors on the lines of IIT council headed by the HRD Minister, meeting at least once a year.

It has further suggested that every central institution should also establish an office of ombudsman to intervene in crisis so that minor disputes are not allowed to disrupt the academic calendar and peace.
In its report, the committee recommended that the finance committee of the central institutions should be strengthened with one or two financial experts from outside the university with well defined functions and powers.