Higher Education Council to vet private varsities

The procedure for setting up  private universities in the State is all set to be more stringent with the amendments proposed to the Karnataka State Universities Act.

The Karnataka State Higher Education Council would screen the institutions which wish to set up private varsities in Karnataka, if the proposed legislation comes into effect. A committee constituted by the Council  has mooted to include a new chapter in the Universities Act to streamline the process of establishing private varsities.

Three-tier process

Under the new regime, the institution wishing to set up a private university will have to submit an application to the Department of Higher Education, which refers the matter to the Council.

The Council will in turn submit a report on the eligibility after looking into the financial and academic capabilities. The government will arrive at the final decision on the basis of the report, following which a bill will be moved in both Houses of the Assembly.

The process isn’t yet complete. The varsity can begin admissions only after the Higher Education Council issues an eligibility certificate after inspection of buildings and other infrastructure.

The new framework is expected to be ready in about three months. Higher Education Department principal secretary M Madan Gopal told Deccan Herald that about 12 applications for setting up private universities were pending with the State government.

The proposals will be keenly watched as private universities are on the rise in Karnataka. The State has seen the birth of two such varsities - Azim Premji University and Alliance University - in the last two years. The uncertainity over the fate of deemed universities too has led to renewed interest in private varsities.