UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION
 

The progress made in the implementation of the NPE by the UGC is briefly stated in the following paragraphs:

19.1Consolidation and Expansion of Institutions

(a) Development of Universities:

Guidelines for Seventh Plan period were formulated in Septem- ber, 1986 in the light of the New Education Policy, emphasis- ing consolidation of existing facilities.

Universities were invited to have detailed discussions and interaction with the Commission in January and February 1987. These meetings were attended by the Commission members, university academics, educationists, State Government repre- sentatives, and professionals to help in formulating and finalising the university proposals. Development proposals of 99 universities' were finalised in March, 1987 and grants amounting to Rs.141.87 crores approved for Seventh Plan period. Special assistance is being provided to universities and colleges to remove obsolescence and to modernise labora- tories and libraries, etc.

b) Development of Colleges:

New guidelines for development of colleges as per NPE - POA had been framed and widely circulated in February, 1987. The emphasis in the guidelines is on the improvement of standards and quality of education, restructuring and diversification of courses and provision of better facilities in backward and rural areas. The Commission approved has so far approved grants totalling Rs. 49.66 crores to 2,632 colleges as basic grant Rs. 51.72 crores to 1,201 Colleges for development of Under graduate education, and Rs. 1.12 crores to 21 Colleges for Development of Post graduate education. Special assist- ance is being provided to colleges to remove obsolescence and to modernise their laboratories and libraries.

c) New Management Structure:

A Committee has been constituted to review the management patterns of universities including the structure, roles and responsibilities of various university bodies in the light of the new demands on the university system. The Committee has organised PA four seminars and constituted special sub-groups to discuss various aspects of the university management. The work of this committee is in progress.

d) Guidelines for granting affiliation to new colleges:

The Commission has formulated guidelines for granting affili- ation to new colleges, and circulated them to universities/State Governments for their guidance.

19.2 Autonomous Colleges:

Revised guidelines on Autnomous Colleges as per NPE - POA were framed and circulated to all universities/ colleges/State Governments in January, 1987.

The State Governments have been requested to make amendments in the Acts of the Universities wherever necessary to empower. The Universities to confirm autonomus status on Colleges.

500 colleges are proposed to be developed as autonomous colleges by the end of VII Plan. So far 48 new colleges (9 in Andhra Pradesh, 24 in Tamil Nadu, 4 in Rajasthan, 11 in Madhya Pradesh) have been approved for grant of a Universities in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are considering proposals from several. There has been no response so far from Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala, Orissa, Punjab and West Bengal.

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19.3 Design of Courses

The scheme of restructuring of courses has been introduced by the UGC with a view to make the first degree courses more relevant and to link education with work/field/practical experience and productivity. 31 Universities have introduced the scheme of restructuring of courses in 117 colleges by January, 1988.

24 Curriculum Development Centres were established, 7 in science and 17 in Humanities and Social Sciences for continuous review of curricula. The Commission has received one report on the curriculum on English language in November, 1987. Other reports from different centres will be available during 1988-89.

19.4 Teachers

(a) Revision of pay scales:

On the recommendation of the Mehrotra Committee, the pay scales of teachers in Universities and colleges have been revised with effect from 1.1.1986. The revised scales are an improvement oil their existing pay structure. The pay scales have been upgraded at all levels. Every lecturer will have opportunities for two promotions; one to a Senior Scale after 8 years and the other to the position of Reader/Selection Grade Lecturer after another 8 years. There will be a qualifying test for recruitment at the Lecturer's level; incentives have been provided for research qualification. Systematic performance appraisal and continuing education programmes will be an integral part of the design for career advancement.

The Scheme has been implemented in the Central Universities. The State Governments have been offered financial assistance to the extent of 80% of the additional expenditure for implementing the revised scales in the State Universities and Colleges affiliated to them. Several State Governments have pa accepted the Scheme; others are in the process of considering its implementation.

(b) Teacher Evaluation, Training:

A Task Force appointed by the UGC is in the process of evolving a system of performance of evaluation of teachers as visualised in the NPE. The Task Force has also been asked to recommend a Code of professional ethics for teachers. Its work is in progress in consultation with the, All India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisations.

The UGC has framed a scheme for establishment of Academic Staff Colleges for the orientation of newly appointed University and College lecturers. 48 Universities have been identified to set up Administrative Staff Colleges. Of these 21 have already started organising orientation programmes- and 7 more will become funtional shortly. Each college will be able to organise training for about 400 teachers per annum. Subsequently, these colleges will also organise refresher courses for in-service teachers.

19.5 Strengthening of Research

(a) Development of common facilities:

The U.G.C has been making efforts to establish and develop common facilities that can be utilized by a number of Univer- sities. Under this programme, the following facilities have been set up:

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(i) Modern computer based information centres at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (Science subjects); SNDT Women's University, Bombay (Humanities); and MS University of Baroda (Social Sciences).

(ii) A Nuclear Science Centre is being established at Jawa- harlal Nehru University campus, New Delhi, as an autonomous Organisation.

(iii) It has been decided to establish a National Centre in Astronomy at Osmania University, Hyderabad, and an Inter- University Centre of Astronomy and Astro Physics at Pune.

(b) Special Assistance Programmes

176 selected University Departments are receiving assistance under the Special Assistance Programme which comprises Cen- tres of Advanced Study, Departments of Special Assistance and Departmental Research Support. It has been decided to assist 5 more Departments under the scheme of Centres of Advanced Study, 36 more under the Departments of Special Assistance and-23 more for Departmental Research Support.

(c) COSIST Programme

81 Departments are being assisted under the scheme of strengthening infrastructure in Science and Technology educa- tion and research. 15 more Departments have been identified for assistance under this scheme.

(d) Other programmes for strengthening research

The U.G.C has introduced an eligibility test for award of research fellowships. While tests in the fields of humani- ties and social sciences are conducted by the U.G.C., the test in science disciplines is conducted jointly with the CSIR.

A scheme of Research Scientists has been instituted to pro- vide opportunities to those who wish to pursue research as a career in the Universities. 200 positions have been created under this scheme.

19.6 Improvement in Efficiency

The Commission has already sanctioned installation of computer system in 93 Universities. 200 Colleges are also being provided assistance to instal small computers. These computers would also be used for maintenance of student records, accounts and other data required for administration and management.

19.7 State Councils of Higher Education

In order to create an effective machinery for planning and co- ordination of higher education at the State level and also to coordinate programmes of development of higher education with the U.G.C., the NPE visualises the establishment of State Councils of Higher Education. The Commission has framed guidelines for the setting up of these Councils. These guidelines have since been reviewed in the light of the Supreme Court judgement which struck down the establishment of a similar body by the Government of Andhra Pradesh on the ground that the State had no legislative competence to set up such bodies. These guidelines have been made available to the State Governments for consideration.

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19.8 Education for Women

The U.G.C. has decided to provide financial support to Universities for undertaking well defined projects for research in women's studies and also for the development of curriculum relevant to women's studies. Guidelines for formulation of appropriate proposals have been framed and made available to Universities. Under this scheme, a Centre for Women's Studies and Research has been set up at the SNDT Women's University Bombay. The Universities of Kerala, Ranchi, Delhi, Punjab, South Gujarat, Banaras Hindu and North Eastern Hill are engaged in the preparation of curriculum for women's study at the undergraduate level.

19.9 Education of SC/ST and backward sections

The Commission has been making efforts to promote, strengthen and monitor effective implementation of programmes/schemes to further educational levels/ opprotunities for SC/ST and other backward sec- tions through multiple approaches such as:

- Special programmes of adult and continuing education for ST and SC.

- Award of teacher fellowships, junior research fellowships and research associateships. These awards are made through exclusive schemes centrally administered by the U.G.C. as well as through Universities against the reserved quota.

- Establishement and maintenance of monitoring units/special cells in about 70 Universities for effective implementation arid monitoring of schemes/policies for SC/ST.

19.10 Physical Education and Sports

Guidelines have been framed for providing assistance to Universities and Colleges for development of sports infrastructure. Funds for this purpose have been provided under the NSO programmes of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports.

A scheme has been formulated for introduction of a three- year degree course in physical education, health education and sports. It is intended that this course should be introduced at least in one college in each district. Introduction of this course has been approved in 10 Colleges and 5 Universities.

19.11 Media and Educational Technology

The U.G.C. has been televising programmes on higher education entitled "Countrywide Classroom". These programmes are telecast daily for two hours and are designed for the enrichment of undergraduate students and teachers. Colour TV sets are being provided to about 2,000 Colleges in phases. Four Educational Media Research Centres (EMRCs) and Seven Audio Visual Research Centres have also been established to support the programme.

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