UGC puts errant varsities on watch list - Bangalore - Cities - The Times of India

UGC puts errant varsities on watch list - Bangalore - Cities - The Times of India

BANGALORE: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has sent a clear message to private universities which cannot affiliate an institution/ college or

cannot establish off-campus centres beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the state concerned without its approval.

The UGC move follows complaints that some state private universities have affiliated colleges and started off-campus centres beyond the territorial jurisdiction of their state in violation of UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulations 2003.

According to the UGC, there were 40 universities which are competent to award degrees but as specified by UGC under Section 22 of the UGC Act and with the approval of the statutory councils, wherever required through their main campus. "Wherever the approval of the statutory council is not a pre-requisite to start a programme, the universities are required to maintain the minimum standards regarding academic and physical infrastructure as laid down by the concerned statutory council," it stated.

Of the universities listed by the UGC, none of them are from southern states. They are mainly from northern states, including Shillong, Manipal, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Nagaland. "However, they can establish off-campus centres within the concerned state after their existence of five years and with the prior approval of the UGC. So far, UGC has not approved any off-campus centres of any private university," it said.

On running programmes in distance mode, the approval of the joint committee of UGC-All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE)-Distance Education Council is required.

WARNING

The UGC cautioned students and parents to cross-check before seeking admission in these universities at their off-shore campuses. The list is posted at www.ugc.ac.in
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