Expert panel to prepare policy to convert unaided colleges into private varsities

Pune: The Maharashtra higher and technical education department has constituted an expert committee to prepare a comprehensive policy facilitating conversion of unaided govt colleges into private universities for greater autonomy and momentum. The report is to be submitted within two monthsMinister of higher education Chandrakant Patil said on Wednesday that former vice-chairman of the University Grants Commission Dr Bhushan Patwardhan will chair the committee. It will examine the eligibility criteria for conversion, minimum academic performance of colleges, infrastructure requirements and quality of research.The committee will study the academic, technical, financial and administrative aspects of conversion and submit recommendations to the govt. Several educational institutions had been raising requests that their aided colleges be permitted to convert into private universities.The deputy secretary of the higher and technical education department, university education, and the state director of higher education will be members of the committee. The joint director, higher education, Pune division, will be the coordinator and member secretary.Patil's statement said: "The committee will also study the policy to be followed regarding salary and non-salary grants provided by the govt after conversion as also matters related to the employees' provident fund."It will make recommendations on the service conditions, seniority, protection of rights and consent of existing teaching and non-teaching staff. Additionally, the committee will suggest guidelines to ensure that reservation for backward class students is protected and fee regulation for general students is addressed.The committee will further examine the feasibility of multidisciplinary institutions in line with the National Education Policy and clarify the policy regarding land allotted by the govt.BOX: Degree certificates to be uploaded on DigiLocker before convocationHigher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil has directed that after declaration of results and completion of due verification, degree certificates be uploaded on the DigiLocker immediately. The students should not be made to wait until the convocation ceremony.He said many students apply to foreign universities, higher education institutions, scholarships, internships and employment opportunities soon after their results are declared. However, they face difficulty in submitting their degree certificates within the prescribed deadline because of the gap between result declaration and convocation.Patil has directed the department to take necessary steps to ensure universities in the state follow a uniform process to upload degree certificates on DigiLocker.
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