Govt accepts UGC proposal allowing pvt deemed varsities 6 campuses

In a relief to several premier institutions that had received notices for off-campus centres, the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has accepted a University Grants Commission (UGC) proposal, which allows private deemed universities six campuses beyond approved geographical boundaries.

However, government-run deemed universities like the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan can expand much further as the restriction of having not more than six off-campuses does not apply to them.

Several leading institutions such as the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBMI), Mumbai; Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani; Indian School of Mines Dhanbad; Banasthali University (Rajasthan); Tata Institute of Fundamental Research are learnt to have been issued notices by the UGC over over their off-campus centres.

In another key development, the Ministry has also approved a UGC proposal laying the criteria for appointment of vice-chancellors.

Now, a candidate to be appointed a vice-chancellor of a deemed university should have a minimum of 10 years of experience as professor in the university system or 10 years of equivalent experience in a reputed research or academic organisation. The details for composition of search and selection committees for selection have also been finalised.

"The Commission (UGC) had in a recent meeting approved these amendments in the UGC regulations for deemed institutions, which have found concurrence of the ministry," a senior HRD ministry official said.

The vice-chancellor shall be a whole-time salaried officer of the institution appointed by the visitor or chancellor from a panel of three names suggested by a search cum selection committee.

As per the new norms, in case the management control of an institution deemed to be a university is with the Centre or the state governments, the VC shall be appointed in accordance with procedure laid down by these governments.