Accreditation system for higher edu institutions mulled: Sibal

The independent accreditation agencies to be roped in for the purpose will be working under an "accreditation regulator" to manage issues of conflict of interest and ensure objectivity and transparency in the process, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal today said.

"The accreditation mechanism is expected to provide a credible method of informing all stake-holders, including potential students, employers etc of the academic quality benchmark of the institution and the programmes of study.

This will mirror the world-wide practise to ensure quality assurance and certification of institutions and programmes of study," he said.

He said this while reading his speech copy at the ground breaking ceremony of the proposed campus of the Schulich School of Business of York University near Rajiv Gandhi international airport here.

The National Accreditation Regulatory Authority for Higher Educational Institutions Bill 2010 makes it mandatory for every higher educational institution (other than the institutions engaged in agricultural education) to be accredited by an independent accreditation agency.

The Bill establishes a National Accreditation Regulatory Authority for Higher Education to register and monitor the accreditation agencies which will accredit every higher educational institution based on a specified procedure and fees.

GMR Group and the Schulich School of Business of the Toronto-based York University will jointly establish the business school near the airport.

York University is Canada's third largest university and one of the leading interdisciplinary teaching and research universities in that country.

The accreditation agency has to be a non-profit organisation, which is to be controlled by the central or state government.

Sibal also said a legislation to prohibit and punish malpractices and adoption of unfair practises in technical and medical education as well as in the university system is being considered by Parliament.

"The legislation should deter fly-by-night operators in higher education from indulging into illegal profiteering and exploitation," the minister said.

He also observed that independent tribunals will be set up for fast-track adjudication of all disputes, including those involving regulatory authorities, that arise in higher education sector, in a speedy and objective manner.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and GMR Group chairman G M Rao also spoke on the occasion.