The deemed-to-be universities in recent months have acquired the misnomer of being "dam'nd universities." Recent moves by the HRD Ministry in this regard have raised doubts about the efficacy of these institutions. The Yashpal Committee and other experts associated with policy matters in higher education are also not comfortable with the system.
As a result, the stakeholders of 'deemed universities' as also the student cadres of institutions along with others, have been confused. The public at large, remains confounded.
The concept of deemed university was conceived by the UGC to evolve an educational structure of the institutions which excelled in their spheres of higher education. These institutions had the potential of a university but were still lacking in some areas as to qualify themselves as a full-fledged university. The rationale was that these institutions could breathe easy and evolve their course structure and syllabi in the wake of new academic challenges.
No easy task
In the traditional system, these institutions faced bottlenecks in their growth due to the affiliation system with one university or the other. Undue delays and non-approval of their new programmes, coupled with the regulatory mechanism of the university system and the obtrusiveness of its hierarchy, held them back from further progress. Hence, to provide sufficient autonomy and make provision for their speedy developments of academic programmes, the deemed-to-be university was brought about.
These institutions were examined rigorously by a multiple process which seldom left scope for faltering in the findings of the examiners. Several high-level autonomous bodies, viz., the All-India Council for Technical Education, the Medical Council of India, the Dental Council of India, the Bar Council of India and scores of other autonomous bodies, were part of the Central government's scheme of inspection committees for approval of such professional courses.
Therefore, it may not be misconstrued that 130-odd varsities sprang up overnight and became the bone of contention between those who stood for uprightness and others who took this task rather in a Bohemian style - the perception which has usually been created.
In demand
Most of these institutions were significantly in demand due to the heavy rush of students for talent growth and match the market demand for employment.
During the 1990s, there was a spurt in demand in areas that suited the economic reforms and a tendentious turn towards professional employment in the spheres of medical, and engineering education, business and hotel management, housing, tourism etc. Inevitably, higher education became part of this industrial growth - hence an industry in itself. These demands began multiplying and government agencies were hard put to respond to such needs. The deemed-to-be universities became the tool "ready to respond" to such demands and their growth increased.
These institutions were not exactly the same as the conventional varsities in terms of research output or characteristic innovativeness. They were meant to be a quick recipe for short-term courses or vocational courses and did marvellously well in those areas. In many cases these universities stood aloft in comparison to other institutions. Their infrastructure, lab facilities, libraries, the quality of classrooms and facilities have been worthy of mention, compared to the pathetic state of affairs in State universities and, to some extent, in some Central universities.
However, some of the deemed-to-be universities fell short of the requisite standards and they created a dismal image of these institutions. As a result, they met a sad demise at the hands of experts and lost the academic market. Hence, no universality of judgment could be valid in those cases.
A question has been raised about these institutions' research potential. Research is a long process and it does not show quick results. Nor are these institutions by their very nature of catering to the demands of students in emerging areas - for short term course, with an eye on jobs - could become the mainstay of research.
It is also well-known that several government-sponsored institutions are languishing in a pitiable condition as far as research is concerned. Do we close down those institutions? Is it not a laudable mission if institutions can impart quality education to prepare future generation to be excellent managers, engineers and professional corporate executives? Will that not be the main contribution to a developing society by educational institutions? Although imparting quality education and engaged in research are not incompatible, it is a question of emphasis and parenthetically singling out one or the other.
(The writer is a former member, UGC and former Indian ambassador to Turkmenistan)
Keywords: Deemed universities, HRD Ministry, Yashpal Committee
Comments:
I have only this to say about the writer's reference to high level autonomous bodies like the AICTE and the Medical Council of India. These august bodies are already under the scanner of the government for serious irregularities in the matter of according approvals to some of the institutions without exercising due care.
Private deemed universities are not the centre of research but they are the centrr for making money. These universities want autonomy for sake of their convenience and not for the sake of students.
Castigation of a particular class of institutions, which have been participating in the greatest service to the nation, reeks of ill-motives. Those who have been responsible for creating such unfounded confusion should come forward to explain whether the impugned class of institutions got created themselves in violation of prevailing laws and regulations? Can an institution get notified by the Government of India as Deemed to be university without express recommendation of the UGC in exercise of powers vested to it under the UGC Act, 1956? Also can a minister of the present government absolve himself of wrong, malafide or challengeable decisions, if any, of a preceding government while himself being a minister of that government? If the ministry of Human Resource Development sinned and forced the UGC to recommend for notification some undeserving institutions, how can the present government be absolved? Can the governments be allowed to play with the future of thousands of students, hundreds of capable teachers and scores of institutions for none of their faults? Moreover, if, in any case, some wrongs have been committed the Act provides for remedies. Instead of adopting a lawful and systematic process they are out to insinuate the whole class. That's unacceptable.
I am a graduate of The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai), 2002 batch. It is a Deemed University. The course structure of the Institute, its monitoring and assessment systems are very innovative and it academic curriculum is dynamic. Would it be possible for an institution such as this to maintain its autonomy and its innovative methods, if it were to get affiliated to one of the Government Universities?
The government must consider this question carefully before taking further steps. One should refrain from throwing the proverbial baby out with the bathwater.
I am doing Ph.D at one of the deemed universities that has been de-recognized. I was admitted as a research scholar in this university almost a year ago. Meanwhile, I had also been selected by another private university in Coimbatore. I declined their invitation due to the proximity of the former to my home and its cheaper fee structure. I had also been selected to a state university in Coimbatore, whose invitation also I had declined. But, today, my choice has been proven wrong and I feel totally left in the lurch. I have completed a year's research in this de-recognized university under an external guide who is also a reputed research guide at a well established university. I feel outraged by the recent events. Does any one know what will become of my studies?
@ Viraj Naidoo :
The purpose of deemed university has been achieved by TISS. And if you can go through the list of universities recognized you will find most of the are just namesake universities with the sole purpose of making money. There are instances of Income Tax raids in those universities.
The student community should be grateful to the HRD Ministry for the action. Remember ministry might have erred in giving recommendations to UGC, but in the long run it will be the students who will be affected.
I am a victim of a deemed university where mismanagement and incompetencies were the order of the day. Most of my batch mates were without a job after completing our MBA including me who was the second topper of the class with a very narrow margin. My middle class family had taken a huge loan and now I am left with a petty job in the open market.since I am not going to disclose the identity of my university i mention here that it had very good contacts with the Governor of a State. You have to be there to experience all your hard work going in vain. so it is high time that the real competency of a university is judged before setting the standards for its fee structure and giving it a deemed status. You cannot allow some people to play with the dreams of a young student.
The whole concept of DEEMED University is misconceived. If an institution is good enough to justify its release from the shackles of attachment with a University, the government should grant autonomous status to such an institution by way of issuing a Special Notification for the purpose.No need of a DEEMED tag, which is after all a sub-standard tag indicating less than the complete, for a good institution performing well.