MAHARASHTRA’S HIGHER and technical education department has decided to suggest reforms in the process followed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The decision was taken following minister Chandrakant Patil's meeting with Vice Chancellors of various universities in Mantralaya on Tuesday, discussing the delay and issues in complying with NAAC accreditation mandate. A committee is formed under the leadership of VC of Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, Prof V L Maheshwari, to study the issues faced by colleges and other higher education institutions in the state, in obtaining NAAC accreditation. The decision was taken after knowing about various issues faced by the higher education institutions in applying for the NAAC accreditation process. “The committee is tasked to study all these issues and suggest reforms to the existing process followed by the NAAC,” said a senior official from the department adding that Maharashtra will be the first state to suggest such reforms to NAAC. Minister Patil, said, “According to the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, it is important for universities and colleges to conduct NAAC assessment to ensure quality in higher education. But many colleges do not conduct NAAC assessments. In a meeting in this regard, various difficulties faced by colleges and concerns of universities were presented. Many pointed out that the process should be easy, simple and easier so that colleges in rural areas too will come forward for NAAC assessment.” A separate committee is set up by the department which will be headed by Prakash Bachchav, Joint Director Higher Education, Pune region. This is tasked to prepare constructive measures that the state government can take so that more colleges get NAAC accredited. Director of Higher Education, Dr. Shailendra Deolankar said, “While the government is taking proactive steps to ensure quality in higher education by bringing in the NAAC mandate for colleges and universities, it is keen on keeping a compassionate view and is understanding the issues faced by higher education institutions. While we are making it compulsory, the state is also working to identify ways to help institutions and also suggest reforms in the process.” As government is cracking down on colleges running without NAAC, a set of new instructions are already issued to universities which include – publication of list of non-accredited colleges in local newspapers, displaying the same list on official website of the university and issuing show-cause notices to these colleges within three days on why they should not be de-affiliated. After noticing that many institutions continue to run without NAAC accreditation, even after it is made mandatory, the state had called for meetings with VCs of universities where issues faced by colleges were pointed out. “Among others, an important issue faced by colleges is payment of application fee and other expenses which may run into lakhs. While a reputed city college may be able to bear the expenses, it is nearly impossible for small colleges from rural set-ups to follow suit. Additionally, there is yet a great level of unawareness on the process, causing confusion among institutions. And fearing severe consequences many prefer to stay away from the accreditation process. The committee will study more issues by talking to colleges to suggest reforms," said an official the department.
