Staff Reporter :

 

 

Maharashtra Government has formed a panel of experts to draft rules and regulations for transforming private aided colleges into private universities that would help in further strengthening the higher education reach. The aim is to provide operational freedom to the institutions that would help them introduce new courses. Currently, such institutions have to function within the ambit of Government regulations. The formation of panel is linked with the New Education Policy 2020 (NEP) that is now gradually getting encompassed into the education system, where greater thrust is on adaptation to real world demand. Headed by Dr Bhushan Patwardhan, ex-Vice-Chairperson, University Grants Commission, the panel would have four members.

 

The other members nominated include Education Deputy Secretary (Varsity Education), Department of Higher and Technical Education; Director, Higher and Technical Education, and Joint Director, Higher Education, Pune. Dr Patwardhan would act as Member Secretary. The panel has been asked to frame rules for State to see whether an institution of repute can be transformed into multi-disciplinary universities, with thrust on flexibility and approach to new technology. Post adoption of NEP, the private aided colleges have stepped up inquiries with Department of Higher and Technical Education as to introducing new courses linked to current market demand. However, as the colleges are attached to respective varsity jurisdiction, the process to introduce new courses is quite archaic and lengthy. The panel terms of reference is to look into mechanism through which the administrative process for transforming the aided private colleges into universities can be expedited.

 

The experts committee also has to study the current financial and technical aspects vis-a-vis policy to adopted post conversion to University. Many of the private unaided Deemed Universities have their own financial model and this has reduced their dependency on State Government for meeting salaries expenses. The panel has been given a period of two months to submit its draft recommendations. The committee is asked to suggest modalities as to determining qualifying criteria for colleges applying for conversion to university, like the required past academic performance of the institution, available facilities, quality of research.

 

Another aspect is regarding the land provided to the Institution, in case same is leased out by Government then determining its future obligation. Spelling out State liability as to salaries grants for teaching and non teaching staff and also the PF contribution post conversion to university. Similarly, the State has also told the experts panel to determine the nature of services of the employees, teaching and non-teaching at these institutions in case they get permission to convert into University. Also, the rules relating to reservation and determination of fees structure for general category students too would have to laid down as State is keen not to make higher education too pricey.