The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : July 18 meet to decide on unitary universities

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 04, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

July 18 meet to decide on unitary universities

Priscilla Jebaraj

Proposal concerns five government arts and science colleges

CHENNAI: The State Higher Education Department is moving forward on a proposal to convert five government arts and science colleges into unitary universities.

Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy is convening a meeting of arts and science college Principals and teachers in the State on July 18. All Vice-Chancellors have been invited.

The proposal will be discussed and a decision taken, said Higher Education Secretary K. Ganesan.

The conversion may be brought about this academic year or in the middle of the year, he said. The timeline would depend on the outcome of the meeting.

Last year, the government had announced its plan to convert Presidency College and Queen Mary’s College in Chennai; the Government Arts and Science College in Kumbakonam; the Government Arts College in Coimbatore; and the Wellingdon Institute of Advanced Study in Education into universities.

A section of teachers and students opposed it. A similar proposal to convert two aided institutions – the PSG College in Coimbatore and the Thiagarajar college in Madurai – was opposed in the Assembly. A select committee of the Assembly was appointed to study the issue.

Mr. Ganesan said since the committee’s recommendations were only relevant in the case of aided colleges, the government was going ahead with its five colleges now. Speculation over the move was rampant ever since the government failed to appoint Principals for these five institutions.

“Instead of appointing Principals, we thought we might as well appoint Vice-Chancellors,” said Mr. Ganesan. “Once we get it cleared, we will appoint…whichever way it is, Principals or not, we will appoint.”

The meeting on June 18, to be held at the University of Madras’ Centenary Auditorium, will be attended by the Director of Collegiate Education. Other items on the agenda include a review of the Choice-Based Credit System and a discussion on fixing rules for teacher counselling. Courses to be introduced and other ways to improve higher education will be discussed, according to a government release.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu