Deemed universities: bad examples

Dr J D Bapat

The UGC was perhaps prompted to increase the controls looking at the bad examples of the deemed universities in the country. The practices commonly observed in some badly managed deemed universities in the country are as follows:
- stage-managed written tests
- heavy donations
- gross lack of faculty. For example, the university awards Ph D but does not have adequate faculty with doctoral degree in its institutions.
- poor quality teaching
- rampant corruption in the system of examination and evaluation
- siphoning of money collected through fees towards non-academic activities
- absence of research by the faculty and lack of research facilities

Suggest ways to prevent malpractices in the educational institutions

Age no bar to lead scientific institutions

Age no bar to lead scientific institutions Gist of PM's address to 96th Science Congree, Shillong Contending that the government has laid down the foundation to foster research, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked scientists to promote younger talent and strengthen leadership in universities and research institutions. "The best science is done by young people. Our institutions must be receptive to the needs of the young people. They must promote younger talent and allow youth to lead," he said inaugurating the 96th Indian Science Congress at the picturesque North Eastern Hill University campus in Shillong. Singh said the government can at best ease the supply side constraints on teaching and research and the demand side stimulus must come from institutions and the industry. "India is lagging behind not just developed western nations, but also the newly industrialising economies of Asia," Singh said adding that while the government is doing its bit to ensure quantitative development, the leadership for qualitative development must come from the scientific community. "Our universities must do more to foster a research environment. We need strengthening of institutional leadership in universities and research institutions," the Prime Minister said. Seniority and age may be relevant in the bureaucratic system, but scientific institutions must be led by intellectual leaders, irrespective of age, he said. Singh asked the industry to invest more in R and D and boost the demand for science and technology graduates and researchers. Source: Indian Express, Jan 3, 2009

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