BENGALURU: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Christ University, Jain University, NITTE University, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, IIITB and Manipal Academy of Higher Education are among the 14 “deemed-to-be universities” in the state notified by the UGC to refrain from using the word ‘University’ suffixed to the name or associated with the institution’s name in any manner, as per a Supreme Court directive.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed 123 such deemed-to-be universities in the country to drop ‘University’ from their names. The circular, dated November 10, cites the Supreme Court directive of November 3. It also cautions that stringent measures will be taken against institutions that fail to follow the order.
“No institution other than a University established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act or a State Act shall be entitled to have the word ‘University’ associated with its name in any manner whatsoever,” reads the order, which points out to clauses from Section 23 of the UGC Act (1956). The circular, addressed to all vice-chancellors and directors of the deemed-to-be universities listed by the Commission, also directs such institutes to mention the word ‘Deemed to be University’ within parenthesis.
According to UGC Secretary P.K. Thakur, necessary action will be initiated against institutes failing to comply within 30 days. Institutions are also given an option to submit a proposal with an alternative name to the Commission or Human Resource Development Ministry to ensure suitable action is taken by the ministry.
The directive was issued after the confusion over the status of institutions was brought to the attention of the Supreme Court from across the country over the past few years.
The ‘varsities’
- BLDE University, Bijapur
- Christ University, Bengaluru
- IISc, Bengaluru
- International Institute of Information Technology, Bengaluru
- Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeswara University, Mysuru
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru
- Jain University, Bengaluru
- KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Udupi
- NITTE University, Mangaluru
- Sri Devraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Kolar
- Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education, Tumakuru
- Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bengaluru
- Yenepoya University, Mangaluru
State must push Mysore varsity for eminence status: Ex-VCs
In the light of the University Grants Commission (UGC) announcing perks to 20 Higher education institutions, identified as National Institutions of Eminence (NIoE), former vice-chancellors of the state have urged the state government to strengthen the call to recognise University of Mysore as one among them.
Members of the Forum of Former Vice-Chancellors of Karnataka State Universities (FVCK) pointed to issues around the university that needs immediate attention from the state government. “The government should appoint a regular vice-chancellor and fill vacancies at the varsity soon. The university should be permitted to invite eminent scholars as Adjunct Professors and appoint visiting professors under several endowments and chairs. Issues should be redressed with priority to enable UoM to be eligible for the NIoE tag,” said Dr S.N. Hegde, President, FVCK. According to the Forum, grants of Rs 1,000 crore which would be given to each NIoE for five years could be used towards bettering and practising academic, administrative and functional autonomy. FVCK also suggested to the government to include a letter along with the application to the UGC promising to fill up current vacancies at the varsity. The Forum decided to meet officials of the department of higher education to pursue the issue.
