UGC Plans to Establish a Monitoring Committee for Deemed-to-be and Private Universities

Senior Content Writer

UGC is set to establish a monitoring committee featuring representation from pertinent regulators to address issues concerning deemed-to-be universities and private universities. Read full details here!

New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) is set to establish a monitoring committee featuring representation from pertinent regulators to address issues concerning deemed-to-be universities and private universities. This crucial decision was a focal point during the inter-regulatory authority meeting conducted by the commission on January 30, 2024.

Universities will now be rewarded with weightage in the National Assessment and Accreditation Council’s (NAAC) evaluation and rating criteria for providing facilities in line with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) guidelines for persons with disabilities.

The meeting also saw a consensus to review faculty selection and promotion guidelines across all regulators to align them with UGC regulations on faculty recruitment. This move aims to ensure consistency in the existing guidelines.

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M Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman of UGC emphasised the need for institutions to transform into centres of excellence, with all regulatory authorities and councils functioning as facilitators. The discussions further delved into online and distance learning aspects, stressing leveraging technology for compelling teaching-learning experiences. Kumar advocated a shift beyond traditional academic paradigms, encouraging experiential and holistic learning approaches.

Although the UGC holds the highest authority in overseeing higher education in the nation, it does not exercise complete jurisdiction over all facets of higher education. The relevant professional bodies predominantly oversee professional education, while technical education falls under the purview of the AICTE.

Various suggestions, including a significant one in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, have been put forth over the years to consolidate these entities under a unified regulatory authority.

Decisions by the University Grants Commission

During the meeting, several decisions were made including:

Regulatory authorities will issue advisories to higher educational institutions within their jurisdiction, urging them to seek recognition under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956, within a specified timeframe.

Regulatory authorities will actively promote the involvement of faculty members in capacity-building programs conducted by Malaviya Mission teacher training centres, with 111 identified institutions falling under this initiative.

The regulatory authorities will correspond with affiliated industrial organisations, requesting the nomination of industry professionals to register on the Professor of Practice (PoP) portal established by the commission.

Regulatory authorities will issue an advisory to institutions within their purview, directing them to furnish information on the UGC Undertaking Transformative Strategies and Actions in Higher Education (UTSAH) portal, outlining the initiatives undertaken by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Regulators Present at UGC Meeting

The meeting saw the attendance of leaders from the 13 essential regulatory, ranking, and accreditation bodies in higher education. These were the regulators present: