New Delhi: National Commission for Higher Education and Research (NCHER) is likely to replace the bodies such as University Grants commission (UGC), All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) and National Council of Teachers Education (NCTE). NICHER is an overarching body, which would perform functions such as prescribing quality controls and setting out rules for the selection of Vice-Chancellors. Moreover, the Government, in order to ensure quality education, is planning to make accreditation compulsory for all institutions of higher education.
As per sources, the HRD ministry on Monday i.e. February 1, 2010 revealed details of the draft bill on the commission that would replace bodies like the University Grants commission, All India Council of Technical Education and National Council of Teachers Education. According to the draft bill, the commission would specify norms and standards for grant of authorization to a university or a higher educational institution before it can begin operations. It would maintain a national registry with names of eligible persons for the post of vice-chancellors. When needed, it would suggest five names.
Further, measures are being adopted to make the process of authorization transparent. Within 30 days of receiving an application, the commission would have to declare its intent to grant authorization. It would then issue a public notice on its website, inviting comments and objections. Thereafter, within four months of receiving the application, the commission would issue authorization. It would have to give in writing the reasons for turning down an application. The panel is expected to develop a national curriculum framework on emerging or inter-disciplinary fields and guide universities in revising curriculum.
