UGC to finalize inspection modalities for deemed universities today

NEW DELHI: In its full meeting on Friday, University Grants Commission will decide the modalities for the implementation of the orders of the Supreme Court regarding physical inspection of seven deemed universities.
UGC is going ahead even as HRD ministry is yet to firm up its stand on 34 other deemed universities that were also reviewed. Though ministry wants to have some say in physical verification, chances are that once UGC sets up committees to undertake the task it will be difficult for HRD to intervene and claim a role.Even if 34 deemed universities go through physical verification, UGC will get to decide the composition of committees.
The full commission will also consider draft guidelines on adoption of choice-based credit system. The new regulation aims to have a uniform grading system to deal with existing multiple approaches prevalent throughout the country. UGC has been maintaining that Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of evaluation be introduced in all universities. A committee set up by UGC had given wide-ranging recommendations on how to implement uniform CGPA. Sources said, “It is likely that the draft guidelines will be approved by the commission but the final decision will rest with HRD ministry.”
UGC will also consider setting up a university chair in the name of Lakshminath Bezabaruah, doyen of Assamese literature. The Commission has proposed that a chair in his name be included in the 12th Plan guidelines for UGC chairs in universities under the category of ‘persons of eminence’. UGC has already approved Goa University’s proposal to establish a chair for diaspora studies.