UGC lists out conditions for PU

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 9

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has listed out conditions that Panjab University (PU) needs to follow as it has missed the Category I status of autonomous institutions and has been designated in the Category II. In a letter dated April 20, which will be placed before the Syndicate on Sunday, the UGC has asked the PU to inform the UGC about the benefits being implemented from the new academic session.

The PU has to give in writing that it would comply with the regulations as mentioned for the Category II universities.

The Syndicate also has to decide whether the PU should apply for Category I again. The declaration on autonomous institutions was made on March 20. Kurukshetra University and Guru Nanak Dev University have Category I status.

Category II vs Category I

The UGC has listed out that the PU could offer distance education courses with its approval, provided it satisfies conditions laid down under the UGC (Open and Distance Learning) Regulations, 2017, and amendments from time to time. Universities with Category I are, however, free to start any distance education course.

Only Category I institutes can open research parks, incubation centres, university society linkage centres in self-financing mode either on its own or in partnership with private partners, without approval of the UGC. In all such arrangements, the ownership of all immovable property and that component of movable property procured through the resources of the institutions would remain with the university.

External review

In case there is any external review required to be done by the UGC under any statute or executive orders, in case of a Category I institution, it would be sufficient that the institution sends a report to the UGC in a prescribed review format. For a Category II institution, the review can be done by the institution itself through external peer review mechanism wherein the peer  team members shall be chosen by the institution itself from representatives of Category I institutions, and the review report shall be sent to the UGC after completion of the review.

Like Category I institutions, the PU is also free to start degree courses without reference to the UGC, but the degree programmes have to be consistent with the UGC nomenclature. 

It is on a par with Category I institutions in hiring foreign faculty having taught at any university appearing in top 500 of any of the world renowned institutions named in the Times Higher Education or QS Rankings. But it has to be limited to 20 per cent of the sanctioned strength.

IQAC analysis

In its review, the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the PU said, “If the university thinks it fit, it could submit an application to the UGC for being listed as a Category I university. Director IQAC Prof Rajivlochan said, “It is for the Syndicate or the Senate to decide whether to apply for Category I status or not. With the designation of new status, there is no financial gain. However, the Category I status will enhance the brand value.”