Deemed varsity status hangs in fate

Union Human Resource Development ministry decides to review the proposals

As many as 17 institutions in the State have now abandoned their hopes of securing the deemed varsity status.

Institutions with good academic record are unhappy with the rampant awarding of deemed university status over the past few months. With fledgling institutions securing deemed university status, the allegation of violating the fundamental criterion for granting the status has become vociferous.

Citing an example, Dr S Kumar, Principal and Dean, M S Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital of the Gokula Education Foundation said, “The Medical Council of India (MCI), a statutory body, had declined a particular institution the permission to continue due to lack of faculty and infrastructure facilities. But, the University Grants Commission bestowed the deemed university status on the same institution. The call by Ministry of Human Resource to review the scenario is a welcome decision and it will take stock of the situation.”

 Dr Kumar pointed out, “A league of Universities in Boston as part of the US-China-India Leadership Programme conducted a detailed study on the deemed universities in our country. Against the backdrop of China and India being predicted as the future world leaders, the programme concluded that the quality of education in India raised concern.”

Gokula Education Foundation was one among the institutions that had sought the deemed university status. However, it has now withdrawn the proposal considering the trend of awarding the status to institutions.

But Doreswamy, Founder Chairman, People’s Education Society (PES) is irked by the decision. He said, “Deserving institutions which satisfy the norms should be awarded the deemed university status. Institutions in other states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa have been bestowed with deemed university status although they are nascent.”

In the country, over the last five years, 62 universities have been accorded deemed university status. Of the total existing 128 deemed universities, Tamil Nadu has 29 deemed universities followed by 21 in Maharashtra, 15 in Karnataka, 11 in Delhi and 10 in Uttar Pradesh.