UGC lets deemed pvt univs have 6 off-campus centres
New Delhi:
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
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Barely three months after the University Grants Commission (UGC) issued notice to 10 deemed universities, including prestigious ones like the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, for having off-campus centres without clearance, it has amended its regulation allowing private deemed universities to have six such centres.In case of government-established and managed universities, the UGC's ceiling of six off-campus centres will not apply .
However, HRD ministry sources said the decision allowing six off-campus centres does not change the nature of the UGC notice to the 10 deemed universities. “Having off-campuses does not mean UGC and HRD ministry clearance is not needed.Fact remains that these 10 violated the existing UGC re gulations,“ said an official.BITS, Pilani that received notice for having off-campus centres in Goa and Hyderabad has moved Delhi high court against the UGC.
UGC's case against these universities got further diluted after it approved the existence of Bhubaneshwar-based National Institute of Science Education & Research, off-campus centre of Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai.
“This has weakened UGC's case against 10 deemed universities. Eventually all will get clearance,“ said a senior UGC official, who admitted that the HRD ministry was taken by surprise when the notices were sent.
In November, notices were sent to Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies University; Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani; Birla Institute of Technology , Mesra; Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad; Banasthali University , Rajasthan; Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology , Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu; Indian Veterinary Research Institute Uttar Pradesh; Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education, Gwalior; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Homi Bhabha National Institute.
However, HRD ministry sources said the decision allowing six off-campus centres does not change the nature of the UGC notice to the 10 deemed universities. “Having off-campuses does not mean UGC and HRD ministry clearance is not needed.Fact remains that these 10 violated the existing UGC re gulations,“ said an official.BITS, Pilani that received notice for having off-campus centres in Goa and Hyderabad has moved Delhi high court against the UGC.
UGC's case against these universities got further diluted after it approved the existence of Bhubaneshwar-based National Institute of Science Education & Research, off-campus centre of Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai.
“This has weakened UGC's case against 10 deemed universities. Eventually all will get clearance,“ said a senior UGC official, who admitted that the HRD ministry was taken by surprise when the notices were sent.
In November, notices were sent to Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies University; Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani; Birla Institute of Technology , Mesra; Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad; Banasthali University , Rajasthan; Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology , Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu; Indian Veterinary Research Institute Uttar Pradesh; Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education, Gwalior; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Homi Bhabha National Institute.
Source: Times of India, 10-02-2016
