THE list of defaulter universities published by the University Grants Commission (UGC) that went viral on social media on Friday raised many eyebrows not only among the institutions but also among the common public. For, the list used the word‘defaulter’ for reputed universities citing the reason that they had not appointed Ombudsperson for redressal of grievances of students. Also, though the prominent universities from the region appointed Ombudspersons, the UGC did not take it into account while issuing the list. The list includes some of the reputed universities of the region namely Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur; Laxminarayan Innovation Technological University (LITU), Nagpur; and Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU).

 

Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), too, has been included in the list of ‘defaulters’. The educationists ‘The Hitavada’ spoke to expressed displeasure over the use of the word ‘defaulter’ by the UGC for allegedly not appointing Ombudsperson. The UGC letter dated June 19, 2024, signed by Manish Joshi, Secretary, states, “Updated list of defaulting universities which have not appointed Ombudsperson as provided in the UGC (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023.This is a public notice of even number dated January 17, 2024 containing a list of universities that have not appointed the Ombudsperson as per the UGC. Following intimation from the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) regarding the appointment of Ombudsperson, the list has been updated as of June 1, 2024 and is attached herewith. It is once again reiterated that the defaulting universities may appoint the Ombudsperson as per the UGC Regulations.” In its letter, the UGC has asked the Central and State universities, Deemed to be Universities, and private universities to communicate the appointments of the Ombudsperson on separate IDs. MNLU, LITU, and MUHS appointed Ombudsper-sons in April and in May end. Dr Nitin Patil, Vice-Chancellor of MAFSU, admitted that the university had not yet appointed Ombudsperson but said that it had started the process of appointing Ombudspersons in each department. It takes a lot of time to complete the process of appointing Ombudsperson. Universities have to find a proper and responsible person having experience of university affairs. Seeking his consent also is a bit long process. Still, the universities mentioned above conducted the process and appointed Ombudspersons. But, going by the list published by the UGC, it appears that the Commission did not take into account appointment of Ombudspersons by MNLU, LITU, and MUHS. 

 

The affairs of MNLU, MUHS, and Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth- Akola are being looked after by their respective apex bodies namely Bar Council of India, National Medical Commission, and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Still, the UGC has asked them to appoint Omb.udsperson, which is being viewed as ‘overstepping’ of authority. Everybody got shocked by the UGC using the word ‘defaulter’ in the list. What criteria did UGC apply to put these universities in the default- ers’ list is unclear. ‘The Hitavada’ contacted Manish Joshi, Secretary of UGC, through WhatsApp and asked, “What does UGC want to say by calling these universities as defaulters?” He replied with a m essage, “Not appointing Ombudsperson is a v iolation of UGC regulations.” The word ‘defaulter’ is usually associated with some irregularity or default of payment. While displaying the said list of universities, the UGC could have simply called that it was the list of universities that had not appointed Ombudspersons. The list has come at the start of the admis- sion season and many feel that this may affect the admission prospects of these universities bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb three universities in the region name- ly Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University (SGBAU), and Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University (KKSU) have appointed Ombudspersons. RTMNU has appointed Justice (retired) Sharad Trivedi, SGBAU has appointed Dr Shrikant Komawar, and KKSU has appointed Prof Indumati Bharambe as Ombudsperson