New Delhi: Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry has decided to de-recognize as many as 44 deemed universities. As per sources, the ministry’s judgment amounts to an acknowledgement of indiscretions in awarding the deemed tag to these institutions, under the first UPA government in which Arjun Singh was the HRD minister. This big step was taken after clearance from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
The list of these 44 deemed universities includes one promoted by I&B minister of state S Jagathrakshakan, three government-sponsored ones, and some in the NCR, such as Manav Rachna University, Shobit University and Santosh University. These deemed universities were found lacking on many grounds - ranging from lack of infrastructure to lack of evidence of expertise in disciplines, in which they claim to specialize in.
Nearly two lakh students are enrolled into these universities. However, the HRD ministry emphasized that the affected students would be taken care of. The ministry’s task force has recommended that institutions not found fit for deemed university status would be reverted to status quo ante as an affiliated college of the state university of jurisdiction, so that students would be able to complete their ongoing courses and obtain degree from the affiliating university.
Similarly, medical and dental colleges not found suitable can affiliate to a state university or a state medical university. In case the institution is unable to obtain affiliation, efforts would be made to facilitate the migration / reenrolment of the affected students in other institutions. Doctoral students would have to re-register in affiliating universities and those in distance education should either go to IGNOU or state open universities.
