News Analysis India

Tag: UGC

  • Appointment of VCs in violation of norms null and void; can lead to legal complications: UGC to TN govt

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to the Tamil Nadu chief secretary, objecting to the constitution of search-cum- selection committees for the appointment of vice-chancellors of state universities without a nominee of the commission chairman, official sources said.

    The UGC has warned that appointing a vice-chancellor in violation of the higher education regulator’s norms shall be “null and void” and can lead to legal complications. 

    The UGC letter was in reference to a September 13 gazette notification by the Tamil Nadu government to constitute a search committee to recommend a panel of three persons for the selection of vice-chancellor for the University of Madras, one of the oldest in the country.

    An official source said that the UGC has pointed out a Supreme Court judgment of last year, which referred to the appointment of the vice-chancellor at Sardar Patel University, Gujarat.

    The apex court had noted that the “appointment of VCs cannot be made dehors the applicable UGC regulations, even if the State Act concerned prescribes diluted eligibility criteria vis-a-vis the criteria prescribed by UGC regulations.”

    There has been a stand-off between the Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and the state’s DMK-led government over the appointments of vice-chancellors. This conflict over constituting a search committee to select the VC has resulted in the state universities being headless for the past few months. 

    On September 6, the governor, who is the ex-officio chancellor of state universities and makes the appointments of VCs, announced the constitution of three search-cum-selection committees to appoint vice-chancellors to three institutions — the University of Madras, Bharathiar University in Coimbatore and the Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University in Chennai. 

    He also introduced a fourth committee member by nominating a person on behalf of the UGC Chairman Prof M. Jagadesh Kumar.

    On September 13, the state’s higher education department issued a notification for a search-cum-selection committee by excluding the nominee of the UGC chairman, which the governor termed an “act of impropriety” and demanded the state withdraw the notification.

    The Tamil Nadu government has in April passed two bills that empowered it to appoint VCs to 13 state-run universities. 

    The stand-off between the state and the governor has led to no appointment of VCs in these three universities. While there has been no vice-chancellor for the University of Madras for four months, the Bharathiar University and The Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University have been without a VC for the past nine months.

    NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to the Tamil Nadu chief secretary, objecting to the constitution of search-cum- selection committees for the appointment of vice-chancellors of state universities without a nominee of the commission chairman, official sources said.

    The UGC has warned that appointing a vice-chancellor in violation of the higher education regulator’s norms shall be “null and void” and can lead to legal complications. 

    The UGC letter was in reference to a September 13 gazette notification by the Tamil Nadu government to constitute a search committee to recommend a panel of three persons for the selection of vice-chancellor for the University of Madras, one of the oldest in the country.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    An official source said that the UGC has pointed out a Supreme Court judgment of last year, which referred to the appointment of the vice-chancellor at Sardar Patel University, Gujarat.

    The apex court had noted that the “appointment of VCs cannot be made dehors the applicable UGC regulations, even if the State Act concerned prescribes diluted eligibility criteria vis-a-vis the criteria prescribed by UGC regulations.”

    There has been a stand-off between the Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and the state’s DMK-led government over the appointments of vice-chancellors. This conflict over constituting a search committee to select the VC has resulted in the state universities being headless for the past few months. 

    On September 6, the governor, who is the ex-officio chancellor of state universities and makes the appointments of VCs, announced the constitution of three search-cum-selection committees to appoint vice-chancellors to three institutions — the University of Madras, Bharathiar University in Coimbatore and the Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University in Chennai. 

    He also introduced a fourth committee member by nominating a person on behalf of the UGC Chairman Prof M. Jagadesh Kumar.

    On September 13, the state’s higher education department issued a notification for a search-cum-selection committee by excluding the nominee of the UGC chairman, which the governor termed an “act of impropriety” and demanded the state withdraw the notification.

    The Tamil Nadu government has in April passed two bills that empowered it to appoint VCs to 13 state-run universities. 

    The stand-off between the state and the governor has led to no appointment of VCs in these three universities. While there has been no vice-chancellor for the University of Madras for four months, the Bharathiar University and The Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University have been without a VC for the past nine months.

  • ’20 fake universities in India,’ says UGC; Delhi tops the list

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: As many as 20 universities in India have been termed fake by the University Grants Commission (UGC), with Delhi reporting the highest number of such institutions. 

    The list also includes universities from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

    In a letter to the Vice-Chancellors of these 20 universities, the UGC said that they figure in the list of “fake universities” as they are not a “university” within the meaning of Section 2(f) or Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, but engaged in the business of conferring degrees or “using the word university with its name to defraud and cheat innocent students by awarding fake degrees.”

    “It has become a matter of concern as many students are becoming victims of the fraudulent act of your institution.”

    They were also asked to submit a compliance report within 15 days stating that their institution is not awarding any degree. 

    “If no response is received from your side within the stipulated period, UGC shall be compelled to take strict action, including legal action against your university.” 

    Of the 20 such fake universities, eight were from Delhi. These are All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS) State Government University in Alipur;  Commercial University Ltd., Darya Ganj; United Nations University; Vocational University; ADR-Centric Juridical University, Rajendra Place; Indian Institute of Science and Engineering; Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment; and Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University) in Rohini.

    In Andhra Pradesh, the UGC listed Christ New Testament Deemed University in Guntur and Bible Open University of India in Visakhapatnam.

    In Karnataka: Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society in Belgaum, while in Kerala, St. John’s University in Kishanattam was listed as a fake university.

    In Maharashtra, the UGC named Raja Arabic University in Nagpur as a fake university, while in Puducherry, it identified Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education as one.

    In Uttar Pradesh, it listed four universities. These are Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Allahabad; National University of Electro Complex Homeopathy, Kanpur; Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Aligarh; and Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad in Lucknow. 

    In West Bengal, the UGC said the Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine and the Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research are fake universities. 

    The UGC has also written to the state government’s Department of Higher Education and Principal Secretaries, urging them to take appropriate action against the fake institutions in their respective states.

    NEW DELHI: As many as 20 universities in India have been termed fake by the University Grants Commission (UGC), with Delhi reporting the highest number of such institutions. 

    The list also includes universities from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

    In a letter to the Vice-Chancellors of these 20 universities, the UGC said that they figure in the list of “fake universities” as they are not a “university” within the meaning of Section 2(f) or Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, but engaged in the business of conferring degrees or “using the word university with its name to defraud and cheat innocent students by awarding fake degrees.”googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “It has become a matter of concern as many students are becoming victims of the fraudulent act of your institution.”

    They were also asked to submit a compliance report within 15 days stating that their institution is not awarding any degree. 

    “If no response is received from your side within the stipulated period, UGC shall be compelled to take strict action, including legal action against your university.” 

    Of the 20 such fake universities, eight were from Delhi. These are All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS) State Government University in Alipur;  Commercial University Ltd., Darya Ganj; United Nations University; Vocational University; ADR-Centric Juridical University, Rajendra Place; Indian Institute of Science and Engineering; Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment; and Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University) in Rohini.

    In Andhra Pradesh, the UGC listed Christ New Testament Deemed University in Guntur and Bible Open University of India in Visakhapatnam.

    In Karnataka: Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society in Belgaum, while in Kerala, St. John’s University in Kishanattam was listed as a fake university.

    In Maharashtra, the UGC named Raja Arabic University in Nagpur as a fake university, while in Puducherry, it identified Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education as one.

    In Uttar Pradesh, it listed four universities. These are Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Allahabad; National University of Electro Complex Homeopathy, Kanpur; Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Aligarh; and Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad in Lucknow. 

    In West Bengal, the UGC said the Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine and the Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research are fake universities. 

    The UGC has also written to the state government’s Department of Higher Education and Principal Secretaries, urging them to take appropriate action against the fake institutions in their respective states.

  • UGC asks Jadavpur University to submit report on student’s death

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Monday sought a report from the Jadavpur University authorities on its finding in the death of a first-year student who is said to be a victim of alleged ragging by seniors.

    The UGC’s anti-ragging cell asked the university authorities to submit the report by August 21. Following receipt of the report, the UGC will dispatch a team of its anti-ragging cell to conduct an on-the-ground inquiry, said a JU official.

    The UGC, in its communication, has provided a format that the university must follow while submitting the report. According to the format, the institution must provide information on its anti-ragging committee’s inquiry and the conclusion it reached.

    “The central government’s statutory body, in its format, asked the university authorities to mention the CCTVs installed on the campus covering the hostels for its students. It is a fact that there were no CCTVs where the incident took place. But in the UGC guideline, installation of CCTVs was clearly mentioned,” said another JU official.

    After visiting the campus on Sunday, joint commissioner of police Shankhashubhra Chatterjee admitted that the CCTVs were not present and there were a few that were not functional.

    Swapnodeep Kundu, a resident of Bagula in Nadia, was found lying naked on the ground in front of the building that houses his hostel room on the second floor on Thursday last week. The student, who is yet to turn 18, was rushed to a private hospital in an unconscious condition where he succumbed to his injuries.

    ALSO READ | Two more students arrested in first-year student’s death in Jadavpur University

    The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) visited the family of the deceased on Sunday and said brutal torture and sexual assault were performed on the victim.

    Police already arrested three persons, a former student and two second-year students, in connection with Swapnodeep’s death. His family lodged a complaint alleging that the student was ragged and murdered by senior students.

    The Commission for Child Protection Rights, too, served a notice on the university asking it to inform the measures that were taken to prevent ragging.

    On Monday, the heat of the unnatural death of a student in Kolkata’s one of the premiere institutions spread to other parts of the state capital as students of other institutions staged demonstrations.

    The students of Aliah University in Park Circus staged a demonstration in protest against Swapnodeep’s death. The activists of SFI, the student wing of the CPM, put up a roadblock in front of Jadavpur University.

    KOLKATA: The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Monday sought a report from the Jadavpur University authorities on its finding in the death of a first-year student who is said to be a victim of alleged ragging by seniors.

    The UGC’s anti-ragging cell asked the university authorities to submit the report by August 21. Following receipt of the report, the UGC will dispatch a team of its anti-ragging cell to conduct an on-the-ground inquiry, said a JU official.

    The UGC, in its communication, has provided a format that the university must follow while submitting the report. According to the format, the institution must provide information on its anti-ragging committee’s inquiry and the conclusion it reached.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “The central government’s statutory body, in its format, asked the university authorities to mention the CCTVs installed on the campus covering the hostels for its students. It is a fact that there were no CCTVs where the incident took place. But in the UGC guideline, installation of CCTVs was clearly mentioned,” said another JU official.

    After visiting the campus on Sunday, joint commissioner of police Shankhashubhra Chatterjee admitted that the CCTVs were not present and there were a few that were not functional.

    Swapnodeep Kundu, a resident of Bagula in Nadia, was found lying naked on the ground in front of the building that houses his hostel room on the second floor on Thursday last week. The student, who is yet to turn 18, was rushed to a private hospital in an unconscious condition where he succumbed to his injuries.

    ALSO READ | Two more students arrested in first-year student’s death in Jadavpur University

    The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) visited the family of the deceased on Sunday and said brutal torture and sexual assault were performed on the victim.

    Police already arrested three persons, a former student and two second-year students, in connection with Swapnodeep’s death. His family lodged a complaint alleging that the student was ragged and murdered by senior students.

    The Commission for Child Protection Rights, too, served a notice on the university asking it to inform the measures that were taken to prevent ragging.

    On Monday, the heat of the unnatural death of a student in Kolkata’s one of the premiere institutions spread to other parts of the state capital as students of other institutions staged demonstrations.

    The students of Aliah University in Park Circus staged a demonstration in protest against Swapnodeep’s death. The activists of SFI, the student wing of the CPM, put up a roadblock in front of Jadavpur University.

  • ‘Specify steps taken to end caste discrimination on campuses’: SC to UGC

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the University Grants Commission (UGC) to specify steps it has taken and proposed to take, to provide a non-discriminatory, enabling environment for the students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes in institutions of higher learning, terming it a “very serious issue”.

    A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh asked the UGC to furnish the details of steps taken on a plea by the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, who had allegedly died by suicide following alleged caste-based discrimination in their educational institutions.

    While Vemula, a Dalit PhD scholar at Hyderabad Central University, had ended his life on January 17, 2016, Tadvi, a tribal student at TN Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai, took the extreme step on May 22, 2019, due to alleged caste-based discrimination by three doctors of her institution.

    “This is a very serious issue. Whatever concerns are raised… how do you propose to deal with it and what steps have you taken to address these grievances? This issue is non-adversarial and the UGC needs to take some concrete action. It is for the benefit of students and their parents. Steps taken would ensure that these types of incidents don’t happen in future,” the bench told the counsel appearing for the UGC.

    Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the mothers of Vemula and Tadvi, said they have lost their son and daughter respectively, and in the past year three more students studying at a National Law School, a medical college and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay have taken their lives.

    “Therefore, there is a sense of urgency about this petition. It would be appropriate that UGC formulates binding guidelines which can be followed by institutes of higher learning. “It is unfortunate that the existing guidelines do not have a binding effect as they do not have any sanction for violation of the norms. There should be some regulations like Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) at Workplace Act and the anti-ragging law, which provides for punitive action in case of violation”, Jaising said.

    She said equity regulations framed by the UGC in 2012 to address the complaints of caste discrimination on campuses are proving to be inadequate. The counsel for UGC said the Commission is aware of the situation and has written to vice-chancellors of universities and college principals. Justice Sundresh told the counsel that efforts needed to be made so the students from SC/ST communities are mainstreamed.

    “You need to ensure that there is no discrimination as some of them may drop out of the college/universities if they don’t get along with other students. For this, some out-of-the-box solutions are needed,” he said.

    The bench then asked the UGC counsel to elicit suggestions from the petitioners and file a reply specifying the steps it has taken and proposed to take to create a non-discriminatory environment on campuses within four weeks.

    On September 20, 2019, the top court issued a notice on the plea by the mothers of Vemula and Tadvi, seeking to end caste bias in universities and other higher education institutions across the country. It had sought responses from the Centre and the UGC on the petition.

    The petitioners have sought enforcement of fundamental rights, particularly the right to equality, right to prohibition of discrimination against caste, and the right to life. The petition has claimed rampant prevalence of caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions throughout the country and said it reflects flagrant non-compliance with existing norms and regulations.

    It has said these incidents are violative of the fundamental rights to equality, equal opportunity, right against discrimination, abolition of untouchability, and right to life guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 16, 17 and 21 of the Constitution.

    The petitioners have sought directions to the Centre and the UGC to strictly ensure enforcement of and compliance with the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012, popularly called ‘UGC equity regulations’. They have also sought directions from the Centre and the UGC to ensure that all universities, including deemed universities and higher educational institutions, comply with UGC equity regulations in “letter and in spirit”.

    The plea has sought the court’s direction to ensure that all universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEI) establish Equal Opportunity Cells and other anti-discrimination internal complaint mechanisms and to include members from SC/ST communities and independent representatives from NGOs or social activists to ensure objectivity and impartiality in the process.

    It has also sought direction to all universities to take strong disciplinary action against the victimisation of students or staff who file complaints alleging caste-based discrimination and to take necessary steps in the nature of interim reliefs that restrain the HEI from creating a hostile environment against students who file such complaints.

    Besides these directions, the petition has sought various steps to ensure an end to caste-based discrimination on campuses. “Since 2004, there have been over 20 documented instances of students committing suicides across the universities in the country. Various committees set up to look into these deaths have concluded that SC, ST students have faced systematic discrimination in matters of allotting supervisors, caste-based abuses, problems in matters of scholarships, and more,” the plea has said.

    READ MORE: Mothers of Rohith Vemula, Payal Tadvi move SC for putting end to caste-based bias in campuses

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the University Grants Commission (UGC) to specify steps it has taken and proposed to take, to provide a non-discriminatory, enabling environment for the students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes in institutions of higher learning, terming it a “very serious issue”.

    A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh asked the UGC to furnish the details of steps taken on a plea by the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, who had allegedly died by suicide following alleged caste-based discrimination in their educational institutions.

    While Vemula, a Dalit PhD scholar at Hyderabad Central University, had ended his life on January 17, 2016, Tadvi, a tribal student at TN Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai, took the extreme step on May 22, 2019, due to alleged caste-based discrimination by three doctors of her institution.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “This is a very serious issue. Whatever concerns are raised… how do you propose to deal with it and what steps have you taken to address these grievances? This issue is non-adversarial and the UGC needs to take some concrete action. It is for the benefit of students and their parents. Steps taken would ensure that these types of incidents don’t happen in future,” the bench told the counsel appearing for the UGC.

    Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the mothers of Vemula and Tadvi, said they have lost their son and daughter respectively, and in the past year three more students studying at a National Law School, a medical college and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay have taken their lives.

    “Therefore, there is a sense of urgency about this petition. It would be appropriate that UGC formulates binding guidelines which can be followed by institutes of higher learning. “It is unfortunate that the existing guidelines do not have a binding effect as they do not have any sanction for violation of the norms. There should be some regulations like Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) at Workplace Act and the anti-ragging law, which provides for punitive action in case of violation”, Jaising said.

    She said equity regulations framed by the UGC in 2012 to address the complaints of caste discrimination on campuses are proving to be inadequate. The counsel for UGC said the Commission is aware of the situation and has written to vice-chancellors of universities and college principals. Justice Sundresh told the counsel that efforts needed to be made so the students from SC/ST communities are mainstreamed.

    “You need to ensure that there is no discrimination as some of them may drop out of the college/universities if they don’t get along with other students. For this, some out-of-the-box solutions are needed,” he said.

    The bench then asked the UGC counsel to elicit suggestions from the petitioners and file a reply specifying the steps it has taken and proposed to take to create a non-discriminatory environment on campuses within four weeks.

    On September 20, 2019, the top court issued a notice on the plea by the mothers of Vemula and Tadvi, seeking to end caste bias in universities and other higher education institutions across the country. It had sought responses from the Centre and the UGC on the petition.

    The petitioners have sought enforcement of fundamental rights, particularly the right to equality, right to prohibition of discrimination against caste, and the right to life. The petition has claimed rampant prevalence of caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions throughout the country and said it reflects flagrant non-compliance with existing norms and regulations.

    It has said these incidents are violative of the fundamental rights to equality, equal opportunity, right against discrimination, abolition of untouchability, and right to life guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 16, 17 and 21 of the Constitution.

    The petitioners have sought directions to the Centre and the UGC to strictly ensure enforcement of and compliance with the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012, popularly called ‘UGC equity regulations’. They have also sought directions from the Centre and the UGC to ensure that all universities, including deemed universities and higher educational institutions, comply with UGC equity regulations in “letter and in spirit”.

    The plea has sought the court’s direction to ensure that all universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEI) establish Equal Opportunity Cells and other anti-discrimination internal complaint mechanisms and to include members from SC/ST communities and independent representatives from NGOs or social activists to ensure objectivity and impartiality in the process.

    It has also sought direction to all universities to take strong disciplinary action against the victimisation of students or staff who file complaints alleging caste-based discrimination and to take necessary steps in the nature of interim reliefs that restrain the HEI from creating a hostile environment against students who file such complaints.

    Besides these directions, the petition has sought various steps to ensure an end to caste-based discrimination on campuses. “Since 2004, there have been over 20 documented instances of students committing suicides across the universities in the country. Various committees set up to look into these deaths have concluded that SC, ST students have faced systematic discrimination in matters of allotting supervisors, caste-based abuses, problems in matters of scholarships, and more,” the plea has said.

    READ MORE: Mothers of Rohith Vemula, Payal Tadvi move SC for putting end to caste-based bias in campuses

  • ‘Paucity of faculty with PhDs in higher education’

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: India’s top 100 institutions have the most doctoral faculty, with top management schools having the maximum number of PhD teachers, according to the data from the just-released National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). But even among these best institutes, the proportion of high-qualified faculty is skewed.

    While the management institutes in India have the highest number of faculty with doctoral degrees at 91.60 per cent, their proportion is only 61 per cent in other colleges. As per NIRF, which ranks higher education institutions in India, it was observed that faculty with doctoral qualifications is concentrated in the top 100 institutions; the remaining institutions have fewer faculty with postgraduate degrees. “This is a serious handicap since mentorship received during the doctoral training can play a vital role in preparing the faculty for a teaching career in higher education,” said the NIRF document.

    University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof M. Jagadesh Kumar said that “institutions in the top 100 bracket in NIRF are strong in promoting research. That is why almost all the faculty members are doctorates in these institutions.” He said, on the other hand, that only those colleges with master’s programmes and research culture will have doctorates as faculty members. 

    “It is, therefore, not surprising that only 61 per cent of colleges have faculty that have doctoral degrees, and the top 100 institutions have the highest number of faculty with doctoral degrees,” he told this paper. Also, in some areas, such as commerce, law, architecture, and foreign languages, fewer people pursue a PhD. There will be fewer faculty members with a PhD in colleges offering these programmes, he explained. One of the parameters on which 100 institutes were ranked best by NIRF is teaching, learning and resources. The other parameters are research and professional practice, graduation outcome, outreach, and inclusivity and perception.

    As per data, of the top 100 institutes that were rated best for ‘engineering,’ 81.20 per cent had faculty with PhDs, as compared to just 34.94 of the remaining engineering institutes that had registered themselves for the prestigious ranking.

    In the same way, in the ‘overall’ category, the 100 institutions that were judged the best, nearly 78 per cent had faculty with doctoral degrees compared to only 51.36 per cent in the remaining institutions. 

    Among the 100 best ‘universities,’ 73.60 per cent had faculty with PhDs, compared to 64.29 per cent in the rest which registered. The 100 top management institutes had the maximum number of PhDs at 91.60 per cent. This was in stark contrast to other management institutes, which had only 57.37 per cent of faculty with doctoral degrees. The pharmacy was one category that saw less number of PhD holders. While in the 100 best pharmacy institutes, the figure stood at 70.82 per cent, compared to a mere 33.27 per cent in the remaining institutes.

    Similarly, in the NIRF-ranked 100 colleges, the faculty with Ph.D degrees stood at 61.06 per cent, compared to 44.63 per cent in the remaining institutes. Moreover, the average number of faculty in the top 100 institutions varies from a minimum of 34 and 46 in the case of ‘pharmacy’ and ‘management’ to a maximum of 685 and 645 in the case of ‘universities’ and ‘overall’ categories, respectively.

    NEW DELHI: India’s top 100 institutions have the most doctoral faculty, with top management schools having the maximum number of PhD teachers, according to the data from the just-released National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). But even among these best institutes, the proportion of high-qualified faculty is skewed.

    While the management institutes in India have the highest number of faculty with doctoral degrees at 91.60 per cent, their proportion is only 61 per cent in other colleges. As per NIRF, which ranks higher education institutions in India, it was observed that faculty with doctoral qualifications is concentrated in the top 100 institutions; the remaining institutions have fewer faculty with postgraduate degrees. “This is a serious handicap since mentorship received during the doctoral training can play a vital role in preparing the faculty for a teaching career in higher education,” said the NIRF document.

    University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof M. Jagadesh Kumar said that “institutions in the top 100 bracket in NIRF are strong in promoting research. That is why almost all the faculty members are doctorates in these institutions.” He said, on the other hand, that only those colleges with master’s programmes and research culture will have doctorates as faculty members. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “It is, therefore, not surprising that only 61 per cent of colleges have faculty that have doctoral degrees, and the top 100 institutions have the highest number of faculty with doctoral degrees,” he told this paper. Also, in some areas, such as commerce, law, architecture, and foreign languages, fewer people pursue a PhD. There will be fewer faculty members with a PhD in colleges offering these programmes, he explained. One of the parameters on which 100 institutes were ranked best by NIRF is teaching, learning and resources. The other parameters are research and professional practice, graduation outcome, outreach, and inclusivity and perception.

    As per data, of the top 100 institutes that were rated best for ‘engineering,’ 81.20 per cent had faculty with PhDs, as compared to just 34.94 of the remaining engineering institutes that had registered themselves for the prestigious ranking.

    In the same way, in the ‘overall’ category, the 100 institutions that were judged the best, nearly 78 per cent had faculty with doctoral degrees compared to only 51.36 per cent in the remaining institutions. 

    Among the 100 best ‘universities,’ 73.60 per cent had faculty with PhDs, compared to 64.29 per cent in the rest which registered. The 100 top management institutes had the maximum number of PhDs at 91.60 per cent. This was in stark contrast to other management institutes, which had only 57.37 per cent of faculty with doctoral degrees. The pharmacy was one category that saw less number of PhD holders. While in the 100 best pharmacy institutes, the figure stood at 70.82 per cent, compared to a mere 33.27 per cent in the remaining institutes.

    Similarly, in the NIRF-ranked 100 colleges, the faculty with Ph.D degrees stood at 61.06 per cent, compared to 44.63 per cent in the remaining institutes. Moreover, the average number of faculty in the top 100 institutions varies from a minimum of 34 and 46 in the case of ‘pharmacy’ and ‘management’ to a maximum of 685 and 645 in the case of ‘universities’ and ‘overall’ categories, respectively.

  • Nearly 14 lakh students to sit for CUET-UG, 41 percent jump from last year

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The second edition of CUET-UG will see a 41 percent jump in the total number of students taking the examinations for admission in undergraduate courses at central universities.

    Also, the number of universities that have accepted the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) score has gone up from 90 in 2022 to 242 in 2023, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof. M Jagadesh Kumar told The New Indian Express.

    In 2022, the debut year of CUET-UG, 12.50 lakh students registered, and 9.9 lakh students submitted their applications.

    In 2023, 16.85 lakh students registered, of which 13.995 lakhs paid the application fee and submitted the application form. This was an increase of 4 lakh students. “In 2023, there is a 41% increase in the total number of students who will sit for CUET-UG,” he said. The exams are scheduled from May 21 to 31.

    Prof Kumar said that among the five southern states – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu – the most significant number of students from Kerala will attempt CUET-UG this time.

    In 2022, 37,303 students from Kerala applied for CUET-UG, compared to 56,111 this year, showing an increase of 51 per cent.

    The second largest number of submitted applications in 2023 is from Tamil Nadu, which stands at 24,462, an increase of 45 per cent compared to 2022.

    The top three states where most students will appear in CUET-UG are Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Bihar. These three states were the top three states in 2022 too.

    ALSO READ | Over 7.5 lakh Indians opted to study abroad in 2022; US, Canada, UK preferred picks

    Out of 13.99 lakhs who will sit for CUET-UG in 2023, 6.51 lakhs are females and 7.48 lakhs are males. In 2022, out of 9.90 lakhs, 4.34 lakhs were females and 5.56 lakhs were males.

    “Compared to 2022, this year, the increase in female students is 50% compared to 34% in male students,” Prof. Kumar said.

    With more universities opting for CUET scores for admission, he said this “significant rise indicates that CUET-UG is becoming a popular option for admissions in UG programmes.”

    There is a substantial growth in the number of submitted applications of ST students. In 2022, it was 58,881. But in 2023, it rose to 95,119, indicating a rise of 61.5 per cent compared to 2022.

    A similar increase was seen in other categories too. For SC category students, the submitted applications in 2023 are 1,40,307, an increase of 35.5% compared to 2022.

    The number of submitted applications in 2023 for Other Backward Caste-Non Creamy Layer, General-unreserved, and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category students is 461022, 642443 and 60611, respectively.

    This indicates a rise of 45.2%, 39.6%, and 20.5% in the OBC-NCL, General-unreserved and EWS category applications compared to 2022, he added.

    The five central universities which have received the most significant number of applications for CUET-UG in 2023 are Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, University of Allahabad, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University and Jamia Millia Islamia. Last year, these universities were also the primary draw.

    There is a considerable jump in the number of students from the Jammu and Kashmir region. In 2022, a total of 13021 students took CUET-UG from this region. But in 2023, this number is 82655 representing an increase of 6.3 times.

    From the north-eastern region (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim), the number of students who will take CUET-UG has increased by 31% as compared to 2022. While 59,208 students took CUET-UG in 2022, it is 77,365 in 2023.

    Last year students from 59 countries submitted their applications for CUET-UG; this year, it has increased to 74 countries, with 1000 students spread across Europe, Asia, America and Gulf countries.

    Prof. Kumar said the CUET-UG score is not only used for admissions in B.A., B.Com, and B.Sc. in various disciplines; it is also used for admissions in various other programmes such as Integrated Dual Degree BBA LL.B, B.Voc., B. Des., Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor in Computer Application, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Integrated  B.Sc.-M.Sc. or Integrated BA-MA.

    The score is also used for admissions in B.Tech in various engineering disciplines by many universities. It is also used for lateral entry of diploma holders in the second year of B.Tech, he added.

    NEW DELHI: The second edition of CUET-UG will see a 41 percent jump in the total number of students taking the examinations for admission in undergraduate courses at central universities.

    Also, the number of universities that have accepted the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) score has gone up from 90 in 2022 to 242 in 2023, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof. M Jagadesh Kumar told The New Indian Express.

    In 2022, the debut year of CUET-UG, 12.50 lakh students registered, and 9.9 lakh students submitted their applications.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    In 2023, 16.85 lakh students registered, of which 13.995 lakhs paid the application fee and submitted the application form. This was an increase of 4 lakh students. “In 2023, there is a 41% increase in the total number of students who will sit for CUET-UG,” he said. The exams are scheduled from May 21 to 31.

    Prof Kumar said that among the five southern states – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu – the most significant number of students from Kerala will attempt CUET-UG this time.

    In 2022, 37,303 students from Kerala applied for CUET-UG, compared to 56,111 this year, showing an increase of 51 per cent.

    The second largest number of submitted applications in 2023 is from Tamil Nadu, which stands at 24,462, an increase of 45 per cent compared to 2022.

    The top three states where most students will appear in CUET-UG are Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Bihar. These three states were the top three states in 2022 too.

    ALSO READ | Over 7.5 lakh Indians opted to study abroad in 2022; US, Canada, UK preferred picks

    Out of 13.99 lakhs who will sit for CUET-UG in 2023, 6.51 lakhs are females and 7.48 lakhs are males. In 2022, out of 9.90 lakhs, 4.34 lakhs were females and 5.56 lakhs were males.

    “Compared to 2022, this year, the increase in female students is 50% compared to 34% in male students,” Prof. Kumar said.

    With more universities opting for CUET scores for admission, he said this “significant rise indicates that CUET-UG is becoming a popular option for admissions in UG programmes.”

    There is a substantial growth in the number of submitted applications of ST students. In 2022, it was 58,881. But in 2023, it rose to 95,119, indicating a rise of 61.5 per cent compared to 2022.

    A similar increase was seen in other categories too. For SC category students, the submitted applications in 2023 are 1,40,307, an increase of 35.5% compared to 2022.

    The number of submitted applications in 2023 for Other Backward Caste-Non Creamy Layer, General-unreserved, and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category students is 461022, 642443 and 60611, respectively.

    This indicates a rise of 45.2%, 39.6%, and 20.5% in the OBC-NCL, General-unreserved and EWS category applications compared to 2022, he added.

    The five central universities which have received the most significant number of applications for CUET-UG in 2023 are Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, University of Allahabad, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University and Jamia Millia Islamia. Last year, these universities were also the primary draw.

    There is a considerable jump in the number of students from the Jammu and Kashmir region. In 2022, a total of 13021 students took CUET-UG from this region. But in 2023, this number is 82655 representing an increase of 6.3 times.

    From the north-eastern region (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim), the number of students who will take CUET-UG has increased by 31% as compared to 2022. While 59,208 students took CUET-UG in 2022, it is 77,365 in 2023.

    Last year students from 59 countries submitted their applications for CUET-UG; this year, it has increased to 74 countries, with 1000 students spread across Europe, Asia, America and Gulf countries.

    Prof. Kumar said the CUET-UG score is not only used for admissions in B.A., B.Com, and B.Sc. in various disciplines; it is also used for admissions in various other programmes such as Integrated Dual Degree BBA LL.B, B.Voc., B. Des., Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor in Computer Application, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Integrated  B.Sc.-M.Sc. or Integrated BA-MA.

    The score is also used for admissions in B.Tech in various engineering disciplines by many universities. It is also used for lateral entry of diploma holders in the second year of B.Tech, he added.

  • Foreign universities in India can fix fees and admission policy: UGC

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Top foreign universities will now be able to set up their campuses in India, with the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday releasing draft regulations for their establishment and operations in the country, under which they will be able to decide their admission process, fees structure and repatriate funds back home.

    Making the announcement, UGC Chairman Professor M Jagadesh Kumar said foreign universities can only offer full-time programmes and mandatorily impart education in offline mode as online classes, and distance learning will not be allowed.

    “No foreign higher education can set up campuses without the approval of the UGC. Foreign varsities will have to ensure the quality of education imparted at their Indian campuses is on par with their main campus,” he added.

    He said universities that participate in global rankings would require a place in the top 500 to apply for setting up campuses in India. But those who are not under such ranking will need to be “highly reputed.”

    The draft regulations for “Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India”, aimed at “providing greater access to our Indian students to high-quality international education in their country,” will be notified by Jan-end, after considering all the feedback from all the stakeholders.

    The regulatory framework will provide an international dimension to higher education, enable Indian students to obtain foreign qualifications at affordable cost, and make India an attractive global study destination, he added.

    While these foreign higher educational institutions (FHEIs) will have the freedom to decide their admission criteria and fee structure, the commission has advised keeping the fees “reasonable and transparent.” Prof Kumar also clarified that regulations say they will be free to provide need-based scholarships to students.

    The initial approval will be for ten years, and their operations will be renewed in the ninth year, subject to their meeting certain conditions. However, he said the institutions should not offer any such study programme which jeopardises the national interest of India or the standards of higher education in India.

    The Foreign Exchange Management Act of 1999 will govern the repatriation of funds and cross-border movement of funds.

    He also stressed that UGC would have the right to inspect the campuses at any time, and all domestic laws, like anti-ragging laws, would apply to them too. These foreign universities have also been provided complete autonomy to hire faculty and other staff members from India or abroad.

    The UGC will constitute a standing committee to examine matters related to the setting up and operation of campuses of FHEIs in India. The panel will assess each application on merits, including the credibility of the educational institutions, the programmes to be offered, their potential to strengthen educational opportunities in India, and the proposed academic infrastructure, and make recommendations thereof within 45 days.

    Initially, UGC will grant in-principle approval and issue a letter of intent to the FHEI to set up campuses in India within two years of approval.

    “The new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has envisioned that top universities in the world will be facilitated to operate in India. For this, a legislative framework facilitating such entry will be put in place, and such universities will be given special dispensation regarding regulatory, governance, and content norms on par with other autonomous institutions of India,” UGC Chairman said.

    NEW DELHI: Top foreign universities will now be able to set up their campuses in India, with the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday releasing draft regulations for their establishment and operations in the country, under which they will be able to decide their admission process, fees structure and repatriate funds back home.

    Making the announcement, UGC Chairman Professor M Jagadesh Kumar said foreign universities can only offer full-time programmes and mandatorily impart education in offline mode as online classes, and distance learning will not be allowed.

    “No foreign higher education can set up campuses without the approval of the UGC. Foreign varsities will have to ensure the quality of education imparted at their Indian campuses is on par with their main campus,” he added.

    He said universities that participate in global rankings would require a place in the top 500 to apply for setting up campuses in India. But those who are not under such ranking will need to be “highly reputed.”

    The draft regulations for “Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India”, aimed at “providing greater access to our Indian students to high-quality international education in their country,” will be notified by Jan-end, after considering all the feedback from all the stakeholders.

    The regulatory framework will provide an international dimension to higher education, enable Indian students to obtain foreign qualifications at affordable cost, and make India an attractive global study destination, he added.

    While these foreign higher educational institutions (FHEIs) will have the freedom to decide their admission criteria and fee structure, the commission has advised keeping the fees “reasonable and transparent.” Prof Kumar also clarified that regulations say they will be free to provide need-based scholarships to students.

    The initial approval will be for ten years, and their operations will be renewed in the ninth year, subject to their meeting certain conditions. However, he said the institutions should not offer any such study programme which jeopardises the national interest of India or the standards of higher education in India.

    The Foreign Exchange Management Act of 1999 will govern the repatriation of funds and cross-border movement of funds.

    He also stressed that UGC would have the right to inspect the campuses at any time, and all domestic laws, like anti-ragging laws, would apply to them too. These foreign universities have also been provided complete autonomy to hire faculty and other staff members from India or abroad.

    The UGC will constitute a standing committee to examine matters related to the setting up and operation of campuses of FHEIs in India. The panel will assess each application on merits, including the credibility of the educational institutions, the programmes to be offered, their potential to strengthen educational opportunities in India, and the proposed academic infrastructure, and make recommendations thereof within 45 days.

    Initially, UGC will grant in-principle approval and issue a letter of intent to the FHEI to set up campuses in India within two years of approval.

    “The new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has envisioned that top universities in the world will be facilitated to operate in India. For this, a legislative framework facilitating such entry will be put in place, and such universities will be given special dispensation regarding regulatory, governance, and content norms on par with other autonomous institutions of India,” UGC Chairman said.

  • Yearender: A year of academic overhaul, major initiatives on the anvil for 2023

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The maiden Common Universities Entrance Test (CUET), touted as a single-window solution to cumbersome college admissions, had a bumpy start in 2022, but the year belonged to the new National Education Policy overhauling the country’s academic structure.

    Major promotion of mother tongue, including teaching engineering and medicine, and soon legal education, in local languages, immense flexibility to students by providing them multiple entry and exit in courses and easing PhD rules are sweeping measures that will change the face of education in the coming years.

    The year also saw India’s premier educational establishments – Indian Institutes of Technologies (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Managements (IIMs) – bettering their international rankings, paving the way for strengthening their global presence by opening up offshore campuses.

    It will be two-way traffic as foreign universities open their campuses in India, making global standards in higher education affordable at home.

    The coming year will focus on one of the major initiatives of the education ministry, the National Credit Framework (NCrF), for which Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched a public consultation on October 19.

    The first-of-its-kind framework in India, NCrF, to be launched in 2023, aims to integrate academic education and skilling. It is a unified credit accumulation and transfer framework, which applies to school, higher and vocational education providing flexibility to students to pick their learning trajectories, as it allows for mid-way course correction or modifications according to their talents and interests.

    On the anvil is also the Higher Education Commission of India, for which a committee was set up to merge the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and National Council for Teachers Education (NCTE). Though the proposal first came in 2018, it is one of the significant transformations suggested under NEP 2020.

    According to University Grants Commission Chairperson Prof M. Jagadesh Kumar, in 2022, the Commission introduced many initiatives and encouraged higher educational institutions (HEIs) to implement them effectively.

    One such achievement was when several educational institutions registered for the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), which paved the way for uploading students’ credentials on the ABC Portal.

    ABC is a virtual/digital storehouse that contains information on the credits earned by individual students throughout their learning journey. It will enable students to open their accounts and give multiple options for entering and leaving colleges or universities.

    “With the enabling provision of allowing students to pursue two academic programmes simultaneously, the UGC has created multiple formal and informal learning pathways. UGC’s Professor of Practice will pave the way to increase institution-industry collaborations,” Prof. Kumar told TNIE.

    The revised Ph.D rules that will facilitate the direct entry of four-year UG students into Ph.D courses, doing away with the mandatory condition of publications and permitting research and teaching assistantships, is the other highlight.

    The year also saw the announcement of twinning, joint or dual degrees with academic collaborations between Indian and foreign higher educational institutes.

    However, one of the significant challenges this year was filling faculty vacancies – a whopping over 11,000 positions – in 45 Central Universities (6,180), IITs (4,502), and IIMs (493); but also in Kendriya Vidyalayas (14,000 teaching and non-teaching posts) and Navodaya Vidyalaya (4,227). The ministry said the process to fill up these positions has begun in a “mission mode.”

    Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) Commissioner Vinayak Garg told TNIE all vacancies of teaching and non-teaching staff are being filled in mission mode. Of the total of 4227 notified vacancies, 757 have been filled. “All the vaccines will be filled by April 2023,” he said.

    So what more is in store for next year?

    A better coordinated and glitch-free CUET, which the UGC chairman has stressed, was neither to make board exams irrelevant nor give a push to coaching culture so that both students and their parents don’t agonise in terms of travelling long distances, change of examination centres at the last minute and even technical glitches while taking the exam.

    A significant reform on the card is the National Higher Education Qualification Framework, which will be instrumental in the development, classification, and recognition of qualifications to ease the integration of vocational education into higher education.

    Another major initiative will be the National Digital University, which is likely to be established on the hub and spoke model, and would bring together various universities with no upper cap on the number of seats so that Class 12 pass students can access higher education.

    The Four-Year Under-Graduate Programme (FYUP) to be adopted in all higher education institutions from 2023-24 academic session is yet another step that aims to develop student’s capabilities across a range of disciplines, including sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities, languages, as well as professional, technical, and vocational subjects.

    NEW DELHI: The maiden Common Universities Entrance Test (CUET), touted as a single-window solution to cumbersome college admissions, had a bumpy start in 2022, but the year belonged to the new National Education Policy overhauling the country’s academic structure.

    Major promotion of mother tongue, including teaching engineering and medicine, and soon legal education, in local languages, immense flexibility to students by providing them multiple entry and exit in courses and easing PhD rules are sweeping measures that will change the face of education in the coming years.

    The year also saw India’s premier educational establishments – Indian Institutes of Technologies (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Managements (IIMs) – bettering their international rankings, paving the way for strengthening their global presence by opening up offshore campuses.

    It will be two-way traffic as foreign universities open their campuses in India, making global standards in higher education affordable at home.

    The coming year will focus on one of the major initiatives of the education ministry, the National Credit Framework (NCrF), for which Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched a public consultation on October 19.

    The first-of-its-kind framework in India, NCrF, to be launched in 2023, aims to integrate academic education and skilling. It is a unified credit accumulation and transfer framework, which applies to school, higher and vocational education providing flexibility to students to pick their learning trajectories, as it allows for mid-way course correction or modifications according to their talents and interests.

    On the anvil is also the Higher Education Commission of India, for which a committee was set up to merge the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and National Council for Teachers Education (NCTE). Though the proposal first came in 2018, it is one of the significant transformations suggested under NEP 2020.

    According to University Grants Commission Chairperson Prof M. Jagadesh Kumar, in 2022, the Commission introduced many initiatives and encouraged higher educational institutions (HEIs) to implement them effectively.

    One such achievement was when several educational institutions registered for the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), which paved the way for uploading students’ credentials on the ABC Portal.

    ABC is a virtual/digital storehouse that contains information on the credits earned by individual students throughout their learning journey. It will enable students to open their accounts and give multiple options for entering and leaving colleges or universities.

    “With the enabling provision of allowing students to pursue two academic programmes simultaneously, the UGC has created multiple formal and informal learning pathways. UGC’s Professor of Practice will pave the way to increase institution-industry collaborations,” Prof. Kumar told TNIE.

    The revised Ph.D rules that will facilitate the direct entry of four-year UG students into Ph.D courses, doing away with the mandatory condition of publications and permitting research and teaching assistantships, is the other highlight.

    The year also saw the announcement of twinning, joint or dual degrees with academic collaborations between Indian and foreign higher educational institutes.

    However, one of the significant challenges this year was filling faculty vacancies – a whopping over 11,000 positions – in 45 Central Universities (6,180), IITs (4,502), and IIMs (493); but also in Kendriya Vidyalayas (14,000 teaching and non-teaching posts) and Navodaya Vidyalaya (4,227). The ministry said the process to fill up these positions has begun in a “mission mode.”

    Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) Commissioner Vinayak Garg told TNIE all vacancies of teaching and non-teaching staff are being filled in mission mode. Of the total of 4227 notified vacancies, 757 have been filled. “All the vaccines will be filled by April 2023,” he said.

    So what more is in store for next year?

    A better coordinated and glitch-free CUET, which the UGC chairman has stressed, was neither to make board exams irrelevant nor give a push to coaching culture so that both students and their parents don’t agonise in terms of travelling long distances, change of examination centres at the last minute and even technical glitches while taking the exam.

    A significant reform on the card is the National Higher Education Qualification Framework, which will be instrumental in the development, classification, and recognition of qualifications to ease the integration of vocational education into higher education.

    Another major initiative will be the National Digital University, which is likely to be established on the hub and spoke model, and would bring together various universities with no upper cap on the number of seats so that Class 12 pass students can access higher education.

    The Four-Year Under-Graduate Programme (FYUP) to be adopted in all higher education institutions from 2023-24 academic session is yet another step that aims to develop student’s capabilities across a range of disciplines, including sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities, languages, as well as professional, technical, and vocational subjects.

  • UGC asks VCs, principals to roll out revised PhD regulations

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Tuesday asked vice-chancellors and college principals to initiate necessary steps to implement the revised minimum standard and procedure for the award of PhD.

    In the letter to higher educational institutions (HEIs), the UGC said that the new regulations are framed “to encourage research scholars to become well-trained researchers and inquisitive explorers.”

    “All HEIs are requested to initiate necessary steps to implement the new regulations for the award of PhD,” the letter said.

    The UGC replaced its rules notified in 2016 and brought the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022. The revised guidelines have changed the eligibility, admission and evaluation process. It has also done away with the mandatory requirement of publishing research papers in refereed journals.

    The UGC notified the new regulations on November 7. As per the new regulations, students who have completed a four-year undergraduate course will also be eligible for direct admission to a doctorate programme.

    The new rule said a candidate should have a minimum of 75 per cent marks in “aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed”, and in case the candidate does not have 75 per cent marks in a four-year undergraduate program, they have to pursue a one-year master’s programme and score at least 55 per cent.

    PhD regulations of 2016 said that PhD scholars “must publish at least one (1) research paper in a refereed journal and make two paper presentations in conferences/seminars before the submission of the dissertation/thesis for adjudication.”

    UGC Chairperson Professor M Jagadesh Kumar said that publishing research papers in peer-reviewed journals might not be mandatory anymore, but it does not mean PhD scholars should stop doing that altogether.

    “Focussing on high-quality research will lead to publications in good journals, even if it is not mandatory. It will add value when they apply for employment or post-doctoral opportunities,” he said.

    The regulations are applicable with immediate effect from the date of notification. Any PhD registered after 1 July 2009 shall be governed by the rules of 2009 or 2016, the notification said.

    NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Tuesday asked vice-chancellors and college principals to initiate necessary steps to implement the revised minimum standard and procedure for the award of PhD.

    In the letter to higher educational institutions (HEIs), the UGC said that the new regulations are framed “to encourage research scholars to become well-trained researchers and inquisitive explorers.”

    “All HEIs are requested to initiate necessary steps to implement the new regulations for the award of PhD,” the letter said.

    The UGC replaced its rules notified in 2016 and brought the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022. The revised guidelines have changed the eligibility, admission and evaluation process. It has also done away with the mandatory requirement of publishing research papers in refereed journals.

    The UGC notified the new regulations on November 7. As per the new regulations, students who have completed a four-year undergraduate course will also be eligible for direct admission to a doctorate programme.

    The new rule said a candidate should have a minimum of 75 per cent marks in “aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed”, and in case the candidate does not have 75 per cent marks in a four-year undergraduate program, they have to pursue a one-year master’s programme and score at least 55 per cent.

    PhD regulations of 2016 said that PhD scholars “must publish at least one (1) research paper in a refereed journal and make two paper presentations in conferences/seminars before the submission of the dissertation/thesis for adjudication.”

    UGC Chairperson Professor M Jagadesh Kumar said that publishing research papers in peer-reviewed journals might not be mandatory anymore, but it does not mean PhD scholars should stop doing that altogether.

    “Focussing on high-quality research will lead to publications in good journals, even if it is not mandatory. It will add value when they apply for employment or post-doctoral opportunities,” he said.

    The regulations are applicable with immediate effect from the date of notification. Any PhD registered after 1 July 2009 shall be governed by the rules of 2009 or 2016, the notification said.

  • UGC launches UG and PG cyber security syllabus

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday launched the Cyber Security Course syllabus at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

    Rolling out the curriculum, UGC Chairman Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar said, “the syllabus aims to create more aware, responsive and responsible digital citizens, thereby contributing effectively to an overall healthy cybersecurity posture and ecosystem.”

    He said that the importance of cyber security due to the increased dependency and use of cyberspace by all of us in our personal and professional lives could not be overemphasised.

    “One of the key actions for preventing cyber crimes is to generate sustained awareness among the public, especially among the vulnerable sections and groups, on cyber hygiene,” Kumar told TNIE.

    The proposed syllabus gives broad guidelines, and teachers who would teach the subject will have enough flexibility to balance time vis-a-vis depth of coverage.

    According to the UGC, students should be taught the foundation of cyber security and the threat landscape to equip them with technical knowledge and skills to implement and monitor cyber security mechanisms to protect information technology assets.

    Further, after completing the degree program, students will be able to understand the cyber security threat landscape and develop a deeper understanding and familiarity with various types of cyber attacks, cyber crimes, vulnerabilities and remedies.

    Kumar said UGC has been making sustained efforts towards creating cyber security awareness amongst Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs).

    The UGC said HEIs might invite cyber security, computer, IT qualified faculty or other experts from industry and subject matter experts to take the lectures, practicals and tutorials.

    To celebrate the Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas 2022, the UGC organised a webinar on Thursday in which a presentation on the prevention of cybercrime and adoption of cyber hygiene was made by Deepak Virmani, Deputy Secretary, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs.

    The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been launched to strengthen the capabilities of law enforcement agencies (LEAS) and improve coordination among the LEAS and other agencies.

    The MHA has also launched the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) to facilitate online reporting of cybercrime incidents.

    The home ministry has requested all the states and union territories to observe the Cyber Jaagrookta (Awareness) Diwas (CJD)on the first Wednesday of every month in all the schools, colleges, universities, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and municipalities.

    Following this, the UGC has also requested HEIs not only to celebrate Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas (CJD) but also to appoint Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at their institutions to follow the point of action for the preparation and implementation of the Cyber Crisis Management Plan (CCMP) for countering cyber-attack and cyber terrorism and also to submit the report to UGC.

    NEW DELHI:  The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday launched the Cyber Security Course syllabus at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

    Rolling out the curriculum, UGC Chairman Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar said, “the syllabus aims to create more aware, responsive and responsible digital citizens, thereby contributing effectively to an overall healthy cybersecurity posture and ecosystem.”

    He said that the importance of cyber security due to the increased dependency and use of cyberspace by all of us in our personal and professional lives could not be overemphasised.

    “One of the key actions for preventing cyber crimes is to generate sustained awareness among the public, especially among the vulnerable sections and groups, on cyber hygiene,” Kumar told TNIE.

    The proposed syllabus gives broad guidelines, and teachers who would teach the subject will have enough flexibility to balance time vis-a-vis depth of coverage.

    According to the UGC, students should be taught the foundation of cyber security and the threat landscape to equip them with technical knowledge and skills to implement and monitor cyber security mechanisms to protect information technology assets.

    Further, after completing the degree program, students will be able to understand the cyber security threat landscape and develop a deeper understanding and familiarity with various types of cyber attacks, cyber crimes, vulnerabilities and remedies.

    Kumar said UGC has been making sustained efforts towards creating cyber security awareness amongst Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs).

    The UGC said HEIs might invite cyber security, computer, IT qualified faculty or other experts from industry and subject matter experts to take the lectures, practicals and tutorials.

    To celebrate the Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas 2022, the UGC organised a webinar on Thursday in which a presentation on the prevention of cybercrime and adoption of cyber hygiene was made by Deepak Virmani, Deputy Secretary, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs.

    The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been launched to strengthen the capabilities of law enforcement agencies (LEAS) and improve coordination among the LEAS and other agencies.

    The MHA has also launched the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) to facilitate online reporting of cybercrime incidents.

    The home ministry has requested all the states and union territories to observe the Cyber Jaagrookta (Awareness) Diwas (CJD)on the first Wednesday of every month in all the schools, colleges, universities, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and municipalities.

    Following this, the UGC has also requested HEIs not only to celebrate Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas (CJD) but also to appoint Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at their institutions to follow the point of action for the preparation and implementation of the Cyber Crisis Management Plan (CCMP) for countering cyber-attack and cyber terrorism and also to submit the report to UGC.