UoM to compete for 'Institution of Eminence' status

The University of Mysore (UoM) is all set to apply for the 'Institution of Eminence' status and the officials are hopeful of getting the prestigious tag, which will help the varsity to emerge as a world-class teaching and research institution. The varsity will get Rs 1,000 crore and additional facilities from the University Grants Commission (UGC) if selected.

The UGC has recently invited applications for the grants under the 'Institutes of Eminence' scheme from universities and higher educational institutions. Out of them, only 10 public and 10 private institutions will be selected for provision of enabling regulatory architecture.

In-charge Vice Chancellor of UoM Dayananda Mane told DH that the varsity is preparing to apply to the UGC. "Despite tough competition, we will be able to obtain the 'Institutes of Eminence' status. The varsity stands in the 36th position out of 776 universities across the country. Thus, we have good chances of getting the tag with little efforts," the VC said.

The authorities had conducted a meeting in connection with participation in the competition. They have taken measures to meet the guidelines, issued by the UGC. The authorities have asked the professors of each department to prepare a perspective plan for five to 15 years, about research and other programmes. They have also been asked to prepare a developmental plan of the department for medium and long terms.

"If we receive the status, the varsity should compete at the global level. As per the UGC guidelines, the varsity should have a minimum strength of 30% staff strength, but a large number of teaching posts are vacant. So, 87 backlog posts will be filled within 15 days," he said.

Under the 'Institutes of Eminence' programme, the UGC will provide all secretarial assistance, including the honorarium to be paid to the members of the Empowered Expert Committee. The expenditure on account of assessing by any expert, either domestic or international, by the Empowered Expert Committee shall be borne by the UGC.

If the institution is declared as an 'Institution of Eminence', it will be free to choose its path to become an institution of global repute. It has to adhere to an indicative list of parameters and the institution should satisfy them within a reasonable pre-determined time frame, from the date of notification, said the VC.

The Empowered Expert Committee conducts an appraisal, based on the document submitted by the applicant. If the institution fails to meet the goals at the end of the fifth and subsequent years, suitable action will be taken against the authorities as recommended by the Empowered Expert Committee to the Ministry of Human Resource Development.