The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to look into any violations concerning the appointment of teachers and the award of PhD degrees in higher educational institutions (HEIs). The decision was taken by the Commission at its 568th meeting. A standing committee was also set up to monitor the selection process of teachers and awarding of PhD degrees.
Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, disclosed to IANS that the Committee will meet up regularly and choose a few institutions to assess. These institutions will securely provide documents verifying that the appointment of teachers and award of PhDs have abided by the UGC regulations. If the documents to not comply then the Committee will recommend an appropriate action to be taken on the matter.
Kumar mentioned, that the UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff and University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations are mandatory for the maintenance of higher education standards. Although, despite these regulations, stakeholders have expressed concerns over violations.
The role of higher educational institutions in providing knowledge to the nation and cultivating intellectuals is essential. The UGC periodically notifies regulations that guarantee the quality of teachers and research degrees. The quality of higher education is highly reliant on the quality of those that teach and how research is distributed.
The UGC recognizes the importance of high standards in higher education and will take the necessary steps to prevent any breach of their regulations. By doing so, they will help ensure that universities and colleges remain centers of learning and support the nation’s growth.
