The country has a total of 160 ‘deemed to be university’ that will soon be converted to the ‘university’ status. This was said by UGC Chairman M. Jagdish Kumar. He mentioned that the reviewing process of the deemed universities is underway. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has constituted a committee to review the regulations.
Students who hold degrees from the deemed to be universities cannot claim that they have graduated from a university. Keeping this in mind, a decision is being taken to address this issue. According to Mr. Kumar, when students graduate from a deemed to be a university and go abroad for higher studies, they are unable to say that they have graduated from a university. As such, nobody likes to say deemed to be university. This is the reason why the title will soon be removed from deemed to be universities. In other words, the deemed to be universities’ will soon be converted to the ‘university’ status.
Along with this issue, the Commission will also review the private university regulations. A committee has also been formed for the same purpose. As per the opinion of the Chairman, a large number of students in the country study in private universities due to which it becomes necessary to strengthen the private universities as well. He added that the quality of education, admission process, recruitment, etc. in the private universities will be done according to the standards. However, it is noteworthy that two years ago, all deemed universities were forbidden by UGC to use only the word ‘university’ in their names. An order by the apex court of India was also cited in this regard.
Reactions Affirmative
Soon after the news was shared by the UGC chairman on Twitter, various stakeholders claimed that this is a landmark decision. As shown in the tweet below, this will help in strengthening relations with foreign universities. Universities like BITS Pilani, Manipal and Symbiosis had to face problems due to their status. The current students who are studying at these universities are likely to get benefitted due to this initiative.
Another Twitter user has commented that this is a good step taken by UGC. Due to some unnecessary stoppers, delay and negative perception and people and students are caused. The enforcement of the regulation of the 2018 UGC will be a solution to maintain the standards and quality of higher education.
