V-Cs leaving midway: Panel finds a ‘permanent’ solution

“Higher and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Tope has assured the bill will be introduced in the monsoon session in 2012. During the drafting of the bill,I met leaders of various political parties to ensure it gets support from all. The draft keeps in mind the future of students,so we’re trying our best to ensure it is above political considerations,” said Nigvekar,

Provosts for continuity

“The Pro-VC system has not worked out,at least in UoP. We need a permanent seat to help universities go through the interim period in the event of a V-C leaving. Also,when an outgoing V-C puts in his papers,he should work for at least two weeks with the new V-C so that a new person does not have to start all over again to get familiar with the system.” The draft does not have provisions for a five-year bond for V-Cs as Tope suggested earlier.

More autonomy for colleges

The committee proposes more powers for autonomous colleges. “As of now,autonomous colleges conduct their own exams but degrees are given by universities. We have proposed that colleges be allowed to give joint degrees,so that certificates have names of the college as well as the university. Colleges with NAAC grade A or B,should automatically be declared autonomous and self-financed. They should be allowed to conduct their own certificate and diploma courses,” says Nigvekar.

Soul in place of Senate

The draft proposes a Society Partnership Council (SOUL) in place of Senate. V-Cs will present an annual report to SOUL,which will make recommendations mandatory for V-Cs to implement. The committee suggests that deans of colleges be appointed by merit and not through elections to rid the university systems of political motivations.

New funding pattern

A change in the university funding pattern has been proposed. The draft says the major chunk should come through a ‘Higher and Professional Education Finance Corporation’ and the rest through consultants and other domain skills and entrepreneurial ventures apart from traditional fund sources. There should be a separate fee fixation committee to fix fees for every degree course. At present,sources include grants-in-aid from the state government,development grants from the UGC,besides fees and other charges.