80 pc faculty of 2 varsities in Una, Kangra found ineligible

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 15

Around 70 to 80 per cent faculty of two private universities in Una and Kangra districts have been found to be ineligible for the posts they are serving on. These teachers do not have the desired qualifications, according to the UGC norms.

The screening of the documents of the faculty of 12 of 17 private universities has revealed that 30 to 40 per cent faculty is not eligible for the posts they are holding, said Maj Gen Atul Kaushik (retd), Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission (HPPEIRC), here today. He added that around 70 to 80 per cent faculty of two universities in Una and Kangra districts had been found to be ineligible while the screening of the faculty of the remaining universities was underway.

HPPEIRC may appoint administrators in 4 varsities

The universities have been told to fill the gaps and replace the ineligible faculty. The commission is contemplating to appoint administrators in three or four universities where financial viability has been diluted and admissions have gradually come down. These universities have also failed to comply with the orders of the HPPEIRC. —Maj Gen Kaushik (retd), Chairman of  HPPEIRC

These faculty members do not fulfil the UGC norms issued in 2009 and 2016. They have either not provided information regarding the National Eligibility Test (NET) qualification or the Phd exemption certificate. Moreover, the name of a teacher appeared in the faculty list of more than one university.

“The universities have been told to fill the gaps and replace the ineligible faculty. The commission is contemplating to appoint administrators in three or four universities where financial viability has been diluted and admissions have gradually come down. These universities have also failed to comply with the orders of the HPPEIRC,” Maj Gen Kaushik (retd) said.

He said, “Similarly, the principals of 60 private colleges (50 per cent of 120 colleges) are either ineligible for the posts they are holding or are working in the officiating capacity. Either they do not meet the required qualifications or experience or the proper selection procedure was not followed in their appointments. In some cases, the member of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) was not included in the selection process while in other cases the concurrence of the HPU was not taken in appointments”.

Maj Gen Kaushik (retd) said, “The commission has sought bio-data (education qualifications and experience) to establish the credibility of the institutions and the academic integrity and notices have been sent to the managements of 20 private colleges that have not submitted the required documents. Earlier, the principals of 102 private colleges were found to be ineligible for the posts they were holding. However, the number reduced after the colleges submitted additional information and documents”.

He said, “The final report will be shared with the HPU and the Higher Education Department for appropriate action against the erring colleges and the UGC and other bodies will also be informed”.

He added that malpractices in education would not be tolerated as it brings a bad name to the state and the appointment of ineligible teachers was a bad reflection on the quality of education.

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