Draft legislation likely to be presented in the next session

The Commission has framed the draft of the legislation, which is likely to be presented during the next sessions of two houses of legislature. Once enacted, the legislation will provide complete autonomy to the varsities in the areas of administration, academics and even appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff. Further, the Act also contains new provisions with respect to the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor, setting up of the Academic council and also a Board of Governance.

Sources in the department of Higher Education said that the new Act will be presented before the legislature during the next session for approval. According to the draft, the University search committee for the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor will comprise only High Court and Supreme Court judges.

Further, each of the faculties such as science, arts and commerce will be set up as ‘Schools of Science, Arts and Commerce’ respectively. The draft of the Act has been framed by a panel comprising the former Director of the Indian Institute of Science, Dr Govardhan Mehta, founder and former Vice-chancellor of the National Law School  Dr N R Madhav Menon and former Vice-Chancellor of Hyderabad University, Professor Rama Rao. The Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission, Dr K Kasturi Rangan is set to discuss the new Act with the Minister for Higher Education, Aravind Limbavali and Chief Minister Yeddyurappa before it is presented before the two houses of legislature.