All staff of the University of Mysore (UoM) should put their concerted efforts in view of securing the Grade I recognition by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), said, Vice Chancellor G Hemantha Kumar.

Chairing the Academic Council meeting of the UoM, at Crawford Hall, the administrative building of the university, here, on Monday, he said, several measures have to be taken to achieve the recognition and all staff — from higher officials to the ground-level staff — should strive for this. This was the first Academic Council meeting for Hemantha Kumar, after assuming charge as VC, last month.

“During the last cycle of accreditation, Grade I recognition was missed by a whisker. For Grade I, we had to score above 3.5 points, whereas we got 3.47 points. If we put in some more efforts, scoring above 3.5 points is not difficult,” he said.

School system

The Central University model would be replicated from June, corresponding with the next academic year, to take the UoM to the next level.

“Like in Central Universities, the ‘school system’ will be introduced. Inter-zonal interaction, academic activities and research should be stressed. Dean of Commerce Faculty Aisha M Sheriff has been given the responsibility to effect the changes. The committee, headed by her, will soon give a report on conducting inter-zonal academic activities. It will help inter-disciplinary interaction and exchange of knowledge. It will help enhance the quality of education,” said the VC.

“Similarly, research activities would be encouraged by using internal sources of the university. Since last itself, assistant professors have been given a grant of Rs 1 lakh for conducting mini projects. A total of 45 teaching faculty have availed the funds for research projects. This year, the numbers will go up. Instead of waiting for UGC funds for research, the university is mobilising various internal funds to encourage research. The research initiative would also help score well in the NAAC accreditation,” said Hemantha Kumar.

Surprise visits

“There are complaints that the attendance policy is not adhered to university colleges. This may lead to deterioration of education. So, a flying squad will be formed to pay surprise visits to ensure the attendance of students in university colleges,” said the VC.

When the members, at the meeting, said that the attendance policy is grossly violated in BEd colleges and that it has given way for corruption, the VC said, the problem has come to his notice.

“Stringent action will be taken against the erring staff. The menace would be checked once the squad is formed. A secret committee has been formed to constitute the squads. Besides, the attendance of students, the squad will inspect the attendance and bio-metric system of the staff,” he said.