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Knowledge panel, UGC differ on world-class universities

Anita Joshua

NKC favours a “needs-blind admission” policy
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NEW DELHI: Differences have crept up between the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) and the University Grants Commission over world-class universities (WCUs) the government is planning to set up.

Calling for a revision of the concept note of the UGC, the NKC has expressed reservations about its suggestions, be it curriculum, faculty, fees or governance and management. Even on the title of the legislation for setting up the WCUs, the two do not see eye to eye.

Draft legislation name

While the UGC has suggested that the draft legislation be called the Indian World Class University System Act — “indicating that it is not about one particular university but about a cluster of them which form a system” — the NKC continues to press for it to be termed the National Universities System Act.

A major area of contention is fees. The UGC is of the view that it should be the last word on the quantum to be prescribed, but the NKC wants autonomy for the universities to fix student fee levels and tap other sources for generating funds such as industry collaborations, overseas operations as also innovative use of university facilities and alumni networks.

To address the concern that autonomy would make the WCUs inaccessible to the disadvantaged, the NKC has suggested a “needs-blind admission” policy which will ensure that an applicant’s ability or inability to pay will not influence the admission decision. The UGC’s contention is that a differential fee structure is possible depending on the inputs required by various courses, but “all issues relating to the fee structure have to be subject to Supreme Court judgments and regulations made by the Commission in this regard.”

The NKC has faulted the UGC proposal for a “student-originated” curriculum. It says while there is need to ensure relevance of the curriculum on a continuing basis, it may be difficult to devise appropriate methodologies for a student-originated curriculum. Also, the NKC wants the syllabi revised annually for the universities to keep themselves abreast of the changes and current developments in various disciplines.

Much of its difference with the UGC revolves round autonomy including appointment of Vice-Chancellors. According to the NKC, the appointment should be free of political interference, and the governance structures should be manageable and compact. Besides, it is for greater financial autonomy coupled with adequate internal controls and accountability.

While broadly agreeing with the spirit of NKC’s contention on this count, the UGC says neither the strict rules of the bureaucracy nor the loose principles of commercial enterprises should govern education. Calling for a review of the existing procedure of appointment of Vice-Chancellors, the UGC has ruled out a second term for incumbents.

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