BDU to approach UGC for Potential for Excellence status

Nine departments had already received SAP status

The Bharathidasan University will soon approach the University Grants Commission (UGC) for getting the status of University with Potential for Excellence, said V.M.Muthukumar, Vice Chancellor.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Wednesday, he said nine departments of the varsity had already received the status of Special Assistance Programme (SAP) of the UGC.

These departments were recognised for having potential in extensive research and teaching.

The SAP programme, which was intended to encourage the pursuit of excellence and teamwork in advanced teaching and research to accelerate the realisation of international standards in specific fields, had enabled the departments to carry out research on various fields with special assistance from the UGC.

Any university that had nine departments with SAP status could apply for the University with Potential for Excellence.

Since the university had already fulfilled this requirement and has been reaccredited with “A” grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), it has been decided to approach the UGC for getting the prestigious status.

Stressing on the importance of improving the performance of some departments, Dr.Muthukumar said the requirements would be listed out and corrective steps would be taken to fulfil the requirements of UGC for getting the status.

The heads of departments and other stakeholders would be asked to gear up for getting the status.

Formal application would be submitted within a month. The university would join the ranks of Madras University and Madurai Kamaraj University if it receives the status, Dr. Muthukumar said.

Dr.Muthukumar added that six affiliated colleges of the university had been accorded with College with Potential for Excellence and 10 more colleges had applied for the status.

The preliminary process of assessing the colleges had been started.