30 Varsities Lacking Set Standard Beyond Redemption: Panel

The Government-appointed committee to investigate the granting of deemed university status to institutes have analysed 126 out of a total of 130 universities and submitted its report, said reports

The committee headed by former head of Indian Institute of Advanced Studies Prof Mrinal Miri found 38 universities in perfect shape – both in terms of their academic performance and financial handling of matters. Most of these are either Government-funded institutes or private institutes of high reputation.

According to reports, committee found 40 universities to be lacking in certain spheres but felt that they can be pulled up to the requisite benchmark. An advisory may be issued to them to improve upon those deficiencies within a stipulated time span.

However, the third and the last category of another more than three dozen universities has been termed as below standard and few beyond redemption. It has been left to the Government to decide on the corrective measures to be taken.

Consequently, the Government is in a fix as to how to deal with deemed universities performing below set benchmarks as the career of thousands of students is also at stake. The Government has so far maintained that it will act only after studying the report thoroughly.
An institute of higher education – both Government and private – which is seen to be performing par excellence is deemed to be Government on the advise of the UGC. This empowers these institutions to enhance their research work, provides more autonomy and seek grants for expansion.

Most of deemed universities under the scanner have been recongnised in the UPA’s first term in office.