Data on faculty vacancies

Decision on NET outsourcing shelved
NEW DELHI : The University Grants Commission which met here on July 31 postponed its decision on outsourcing of the coveted UGC-CSIR National Eligibility Test for faculty recruitment.

The issue listed on the agenda of the Commission meeting was discussed but no decision could be taken as may members wanted partial outsourcing while some insisted on total outsourcing -- lock, stock and barrel.

The outsourcing was considered following numerous complaints of exam mismanagement.

It may be recalled that the Ministry of Human Resource Development had asked the UGC to review NET in view of the increasing number of complaints.

Only top 15% on NET merit list eligible for lectureship
By Sanjiv Dube
NEW DELHI : Only the top 15% of candidates in the National Eligibility Test (NET) merit list for each subject and category will be declared qualified and will be eligible for lectureship, according to a University Grants Commission (UGC) notification issued by the Secretary on December 27.

The notification defines the criteria for declaration of result for NET conducted on December 30, 2012. According to the new scheme, the candidates will need to obtain minimum marks in each paper separately.

According to UGC officials, the merit list will include only those candidates who have obtained minimum marks in each paper separately. The final merit list will be prepared subject-wise
and category-wise using the aggregate marks of all the three papers. A separate merit list for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) will be prepared from amongst the NET-qualified candidates figuring in the merit list.

NET will comprise three papers and will consist of only objective-type questions. While in Paper II and III all the 50 and 75 questions respectively are compulsory, in Paper I, of the 60
questions the candidates are required to attempt only 50. While Paper I is of general nature to assess the teaching/research aptitude, Paper II and III will have subject-specific and each
question will carry two marks.

UGC’s NET Bureau has devised a four-step criteria for declaration of results. In the first step, candidates need to score minimum marks separately in all three papers. For general
category candidates one has to score 40% each in paper I and II, and 50% in paper III; while for OBC (non-creamy) category the distribution is 35%, 35% and 45% respectively.

Amongst those candidates who have cleared step I, a merit list will be prepared subject-wise and category-wise using the aggregate marks of all the three papers secured by such candidates. And in step III, only 15% candidates (for each subject and category), from the merit list mentioned under step II, will be declared NET-qualified for eligibility for lectureship
alone.

A separate merit list for JRF will be prepared from amongst the NET-qualified candidates figuring in the merit list prepared under step III.

Around 7.8 Lakh candidates have registered for the examination which will be conducted in 78 subjects at 77 centres in the country.

The final merit list will be prepared subject-wise and category-wise using the aggregate marks of all the three papers secured by such candidates. For JRF, a separate merit list will be prepared

Regulations to check deemed varsities
NEW DELHI : On January 27, 2012 the University Grants Commission formally approved the draft regulations that seek to tighten the noose around deemed universities.

The regulations would ensure government control on admissions, fee structure, job recruitment, curriculum and maintenance of academic standards in deemed universities, according to Prof K Ramamurthy Naidu, Chairman of the UGC committee  constituted to frame the regulations.

The regulations do not specify any quantum for the fee but say that the "fee structure for various programmes...shall also be fixed in accordance with the Regulations framed by the Commission."

The expert committee was appointed by the University Grants Commission in mid 2007. On November 30, 2007, the UGC decided to send a copy of draft regulations to vice-chancellors of all deemed universities, asking for comments and suggestions within 15 days. In December 2007 the Ministry of Human Resource Development sent a circular numbered F. 6-1(11)/2006(CPP-I) to all the stake-holders seeking their opinion on the proposed regulations.

The process took place over a year to finalise things and finally on January 27, 2009 the UGC approved the regulations and sent it to the HRD Ministry for the final seal of the union government.

The committee has provided for punitive action involving withdrawal of the deemed university status. It has also asked the institutions to implement the reservation policy in admission and recruitment as per directives of the Union government, Dr Naidu said.

According to the regulations the deemed universities should maintain the prescribed standards of instruction, academic and physical infrastructure, qualification of teachers, pay scales etc as mentioned by the UGC and it should have a valid accreditation from the National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) with at least B or equivalent grade.

“The Central Government/ UGC shall have the right to cause an inspection of the institution deemed to be university, its buildings, labs, examinations, teaching and other work conducted or done by the institution and to cause an enquiry to be made, if considered necessary, by the Centre/UGC, in respect of any matter of the institution deemed to be university,” the regulations said.

“If the commission is satisfied that the institution deemed to be university has violated any of the provisions of these regulations or any directives issued by the commission, the UGC may direct the concerned institution not to admit new students for the period to be decided by the commission and in case of deliberate and continuous violation of these regulations, may advise the Centre for withdrawal of the declaration notifying the institution as an institution deemed to be university, "it said.

For the first violation, the withdrawal might be restricted to one academic session which could be extended up to five academic sessions for repeated violations.

However, for serious and debate violations, the status will be withdrawn permanently.
 

PM tells UGC to address faculty crunch problem

From Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said quality in higher education in general remains a huge concern as even India’s premier institutions do not figure among the best in the world.

Addressing the diamond jubilee celebrations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) here on December 28 he said that the shortage of faculty and promotion of research, strengthening of the university-industry interface and higher allocation of resources are some of the major challenges in higher education that require attention.

The Prime Minister asked UGC to play the role of a national think tank for the promotion of higher education in the country.

Dr Singh appreciated the role of UGC as a principal regulator of higher education in the country.

He said the Government has put unprecedented emphasis on education at all level in the last ten years. Giving details of the expansion in the Higher Education in this period, the Prime Minister said, Gross Enrolment Ratio has gone up from 11% in 2005-06 to 19.4% i 2010-11. Twenty three Central Universities, 7 IIMs, 9 IITs, 10 NITs and 4 IIITs have been set up by the Central Government.

Highlighting the role that the recently launched Rashtriya Uchttar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) will play in promoting Higher Education in the Country, Dr. Singh said that the scheme aims to create 278 new universities and 388 new colleges and to convert 266 colleges to Model Degree Colleges by the end of the current five year plan ending 2017. The scheme will also provide infrastructure grants to 286 state universities and 8500 state colleges

Enumerating the challenges in the Higher Education , the Prime Minister who was himself the Chairman of the UGC in 1991, Dr. Singh said quality in general remains a huge concern that even our premier institutions do not figure among the best in the world. Shortage of faculty and promotion of research , strengthening of the university-industry interface and higher allocation of resources are the areas which require attention.

The Prime Minister also announced new awards in the name of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru for individual excellence in the areas of Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Technology, Fine Arts and Culture.

Speaking on the occasion HRD Minister M. M. Pallam Raju said that the UGC will launch Chairs in the name of the Indian Nobel laureates including in the name of C.V. Raman, Rabindra Nath Tagore and Mother Teresa. He said the government has focused on access. for the weaker sections of the society and the minorities by giving scholarships and equal opportunities. He said that the government is keen to promote Research and more funds are being earmarked for them. Dr. Raju informed that the government is keen to give more autonomy to universities.

The Chairman of the UGC, Dr. Ved Prakash said the Commission has been given the additional charge of Distance Education. It is also taking several steps to ease the constraints caused by the paucity of quality faculty by engaging Recharge Programs and appointing contractual faculty.

Beware of teaching shops, UGC warns students

From Sanjiv Dube
NEW DELHI : With no hope in sight for the passage of the National Commission for Higher Education and Research Bill, the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) have started an exercise to make their presence felt.

On June 27 the UGC issued a circular signed by UGC secretary Akhilesh Gupta warning students about the ‘misleading’ publicity campaigns by many private universities. At the same time, the AICTE has taken a vow to undo the damage done to it by the startling judgement in the Association of Management of Private Colleges vs AICTE case (Civil Appeal No. 1145 of 2004).

The UGC circular issued to all universities and state governments warns students not to get influenced by glossy, attractive advertisements in newspapers and catchy puffs on the electronic channels. It has advised students to keep away from unapproved study centres, off-campus centres, franchisee institutions, colleges/institutions claiming to be affiliated to private universities or deemed universities.

“The private and deemed universities cannot affiliate any college or institution for conducting courses leading to award of diplomas, degrees or other qualifications,” the UGC circular warns.

“The students are advised not to take admission in these unapproved study centres, off campus centres, franchise institutions, colleges/institutions claiming to be affiliated with private universities or deemed universities,” the circular added.

The UGC has observed that these private establishments, claiming to be study centres or learning centres of different universities, enroll students for various degree programme and also claim to be responsible for teaching and conducting examinations.

“The faculty and the infrastructure belong to these private agencies and the concerned university, except providing syllabus and teaching materials, has no mechanism to monitor and maintain the academic standards of teaching being imparted at these centres. This blatant compromise with the standards of education has led to widespread criticism,” the circular says.

The UGC has also clarified that a central or state government university can conduct courses through its own departments, its constituent colleges and/or through its affiliate colleges. A university established or incorporated by or under the State Act should operate only within the territorial jurisdiction allotted to it under the Act.

“No university - whether central, state, private or deemed - can offer its courses through franchising arrangement with private coaching institutions, even for the purpose of conducting courses through long distance. All universities have been authorised to award only such degrees as are specified by the UGC,” the circular says.

Similarly, private universities and deemed universities could not affiliate any college or institution for conducting courses leading to the award of its diploma, degree or other qualifications.

All universities have been authorised to award only such degrees as are specified by the UGC. Importantly, the M.Phil/Ph.D course could not be run under distance mode and had to be conducted on only regular mode by any university, including private or deemed universities, and as specified under the Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of M.Phil/Ph.D Degree, Regulations 2009.

Deemed universities that have been offering courses in distance mode before the UGC implemented its Regulation on Deemed Universities, 2010, can continue to offer such programmes. But no new deemed university will be permitted to offer courses in distance mode, the UGC said.

The UGC is essentially a toothless body as it cannot award punishment to the defiant institution, says a seasoned UGC member. “As per the UGC Act, it can only impose a fine of Rs 1,000 and issue a public notice against an errant institute. This penalty is not sufficient,” he said.

There are 158 private universities and 130 deemed universities, including about 90 private deemed universities. The ministry has identified 38 private universities that offer courses in distance mode without permission from regulatory bodies.

Accreditation must for higher edu institutions

By Sanjiv Dube
NEW DELHI : All higher educational institutions in the country, except technical education one, will now have to get accredited under law.

The law, called the UGC (Mandatory Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions) Regulations 2012, were notified in the official gazette on February 19, and come into force with immediate effect.

The UGC Regulations 2012 say that all higher education institutions who fail to comply with the assessment and accreditation clause will be barred from financial aid granted by the UGC or the Ministry of Human Resource Development but says nothing of the private institutions who do not take or aspire to take any financial aid from the government. Nor do the Regulations say anything about institutions like the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) who blatantly defy the UGC and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

The Regulation require that all higher education institutions (expect technical education colleges governed by the AICTE) apply for accreditation within a period of six months to the accreditation agencies namely the National Assessment and Accreditation Council, the National Board of Accreditation, and the National Accreditation Board currently recognised by the UGC.

The Regulations say that all institutions which have been in existence for six years or from where two batches of students have passed out (whichever is earlier) will need to seek accreditation within this stipulated time. Those that haven’t yet completed these criteria must apply within six months of completing six years of operation or passing out of two batches apply for accreditation.

The Regulations, says the notification, seeks to ensure that students can make informed choices about academic courses, institutions can raise quality and seek international recognition for which benchmarking is necessary. Hitherto, accreditation was voluntary in India and less than 10 per cent of all institutions are accredited.

The regulations will be applicable to all 44 Central universities,; about 300 state universities, over 100 deemed universities and over 33,000 colleges of which 6,000 are UGC funded.

Ved Prakash is UGC Chairman de jure
NEW DELHI : On January 18, the officiating chairman of the University Grants Commission, Dr Ved Prakash was formally appointed chairman of the organisation.

The appointment came after the government had set up afresh a search-cum-selection committee last September to shortlist a candidate for the post, sources said.

The contenders for the top post included India’s chief statistician T.C.A. Anant and Tata Institute of Social Sciences chief S. Parasuraman, they said.

The chairman’s post was vacant since S. Thorat retired in February 2011. Since then Mr. Prakash had been officiating as the chairman.

The selection of the chairman was delayed as the three-member search committee was dragging its feet without reaching any concrete conclusions because it was not sure about the eligibility criteria of candidates in general and the age clause in particular.

The UGC Act stipulates that the office of the UGC chairman shall be whole time and he/she shall “hold office for a term of five years or until he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier''.

Accordingly, the UGC chairman had to be appointed on a whole time basis and for the full term. The provision does not allow for interpretation knowingly or deliberately that a person could be appointed chairman for a period, which will not be one term of five years.

The stipulation in the advertisement given by the HRD ministry on this subject mentioned, “...nominees should be preferably below the age of 60 years''.  This appeared to have also been guided by this principle. Non-adherence to this provision would tantamount to violation of the relevant stipulation in the UGC.

Curtailment of full term due to an intervening factor such as superannuation or some unforeseen reasons of exit from the position would be an exception and not a rule.

The HRD ministry's decision in the appointment of Prof SS Mantha as the chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), last year supports the principle cited for the position of the UGC chairman.

UGC checks 53 pvt varsities, finds only 5 'in order'

NEW DELHI : Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister M.M.
Pallam Raju told Rajya Sabha on December 14 that only five out of 53 private universities inspected by the University Grants Commission (UGC) were found to be in order.

He said 53 of the total 145 private universities were inspected while replying to supplementaries during the question hour in the Rajya Sabha.

"Fifty-three universities were inspected to see how many were following UGC norms... five of these were found in order, and came clear," Raju said.

"Once we get some complaint, we inspect the university. We give them some time to rectify, but if even after that they do not follow regulations, they are asked to close," he said.

The minister added that the UGC, which looks after all non-technical education, had no power to shut down private universities. The UGC can only direct them to close courses against which complaints have been received, he explained.

Raju added that the passage of two pending bills in parliament, Educational Tribunal Bill and National Accreditation Regulatory Authority (NARA) for Higher Educational Institutions Bill, would help in further regulating private universities.

"I take this opportunity to urge the members to pass the bill for setting up a education tribunal and another one for an accreditation authority," Raju said.

The minister also accepted that there were weaknesses in the UGC and the government was trying to strengthen it.

UGC sets norms for tie-ups with foreign varsities

NEW DELHI : The University Grants Commission (Promotion and Maintenance of Standards of Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012 approved in June will ensure that academic collaboration between Indian and foreign educational institutes followed the highest standards.

The regulations mandate that only institutes graded ‘A’ by the National Board of Accreditation or the National Assessment and Accreditation Council can
collaborate with foreign institutes, which, in turn, must figure in the list of top 500 global educational institutes, as ranked by the Times Higher
Education Rankings or the Shanghai Rankings.

Students will not only get a degree from the Indian institute where they are enrolled but also from the collaborating foreign institute, if it is inclined to
give one. No programme of study and research shall be offered which is against national security and territorial integrity of India.

The two institutions (Indian and its foreign collaborator) will have to enter into an agreement which will have to be approved by the UGC before it is
implemented. The approval will be valid for 5 years and the Commission may review the progress made and periodically inform the agencies concerned about the results of such a review. After the expiry of this period, the UGC may extend or withdraw the approval or impose such other conditions for extension, as may deem fit. The regulations make clear that no franchise arrangement will be allowed.

Existing tie-ups through the Indian institutions will have six months to meet the new eligibility criteria. In case they fail to do so, they will have to
terminate the agreements. Institutions that refuse to comply with the new regulations can lose UGC funding, de-recognition in case of a deemed university, and public notices announcing the ineligibility of the institution to enter into collaborations with foreign partners.

Disputes arising in relation to collaboration will be settled as per Indian laws.

As per a 2006 study by the Association of Indian Universities, over 340 institutes were offering courses in collaboration with foreign institutes. The UGC regulations seek to bring some order in area to protect students by ensuring that only genuine academic collaborations are encouraged.