The University Grants Commission (UGC) would soon introduce a new review system to ensure accountability in handling grants, projects and research funds, said Vice-Chairman H.Devaraj.
Delivering the 31st convocation address at the Bharathidasan University here on Tuesday, Mr.Devaraj said the apex body had been funding liberally to the universities across the country under various heads, including research projects. The universities were accountable for the grants and funds allocated to them, he said. The UGC has been working on a new review system to verify the utility of the funds. Once operational, this would bring in some improvement in the usage of funds by these institutions, he said.
Stating that funds were not an issue, Mr.Devaraj said the UGC was not getting meaningful proposals from the researchers. Many universities and institutes already possessed good infrastructure and equipment. They had good human resources too. However, there was a need to fine-tune these resources to suit the present-day requirements.
To transform universities into world class institutes, the UGC was conferring the universities with Universities with Potential for Excellence (UPE) status. As many as 15 universities had been accorded the UPE status during the 9th and 10th plan period. It had been proposed to accord the status to 10 more universities during the 12th plan period. Four universities in Tamil Nadu, including Bharathidasan University, have been shortlisted for the status. Mr.Devaraj exuded hope that the universities would make good use of the opportunity. Though the country had witnessed a spectacular expansion in the field of higher education, the growth had been accompanied by problems, including proliferation of substandard institutions, dilution of quality, outdated curricula, lack of accountability, and poor management. Tremendous efforts would have to be made to rectify the situation. Stating that the Bharathidasan University was looking forward to make a presentation to get the UPE status, V.M.Muthukumar, Vice Chancellor, said it would make all efforts to get the honour. With three new colleges coming under its fold, the number of colleges affiliated to the university had gone up to 138, he said.
K.Rosaiah, Governor, gave away degrees to graduates. P.Palaniappan, Minister for Higher Education, spoke.