UGC lays down accreditation regulations to ensure quality

Incidentally,a bill to make accreditation must is pending in Parliament. It was expected to be taken up in the ongoing budget session but with most of its bills stalled for over two years,the HRD Ministry has all but given up on legislative route for reform. In fact,only last month,the UGC announced a scheme to encourage innovation in universities after it became clear that a bill to set up Innovation Universities stood little chance of being passed by Parliament. In its report last week,the Parliamentary Standing Committee lambasted the bill.

The new regulations state that a higher educational institution must seek accreditation from the Assessment and Accreditation Agency before starting academic operations. If granted,the accreditation would be valid for five years. The institution would then be re-assessed and accredited. No higher educational institution or its faculties,schools,departments,centres would be eligible for financial assistance from UGC unless it is accredited. And to incentivise accreditation,the UGC proposes to suggest a higher funding for an institution accredited in the highest grade. Besides,special category status,such as deemed university,would also be dependent on accreditation.

The Assessment and Accreditation Agency would be backed by a code of ethics,be committed to transparency,provide an opportunity to students,teachers and non-teaching staff to submit their views on academic quality and on the Self Study Report prepared by the institution. The agency would publish online the final accreditation granted,along with the documents based on which it was granted. The rules state that the decision on accreditation must be taken within six months of it being sought.

Institutions failing to comply with the norms could lose UGC recognition and grants or be declared unaccredited.