Indore: After losing right to prepare syllabus, varsities risk loss of right to grant admission

INDORE: Nearly six years after it had snatched the right of state universities to prepare its own curriculum, department of higher education (DHE) recently proposed a  unified admission process of all the universities in the state.

In a meeting of registrars of state varsities chaired by principal secretary (higher education) BR Naidu, a proposal was put forth for holding common entrance test for admission to teaching departments of all universities in the state.

“Registrar of all universities, except DAVV, liked the proposal and expressed their willingness to be a part of the unified admission process. But, DAVV in charge registrar Ajay Verma objected to it,” sources said. Verma reportedly said that the “Right to grant admission in teaching departments rests with the universities and they should not be deprived of it.”

He also reportedly stated that the DAVV already holds common entrance test for admission in professional courses offered by its teaching departments.

“Our CET is very successful and it should not be disturbed, ” Verma told the meeting.

To this, the DHE officials said that the DAVV should embrace unified admission process for those courses which are not part of CET.

Verma stated the proposal for non-CET courses could be considered.

While UGC is advocating for more and more autonomy for institutions of higher learning, state government is encroaching upon autonomy of universities and up for gradually snatching their freedom

Professors of DAVV flayed the DHE’s proposal saying that it’s encroaching upon autonomy of universities even when UGC is advocating for granting more and more freedom to institutions of higher learning in curriculum making, admissions, finance and exams.

“Some six year ago, the DHE had taken away right to prepare syllabus from university and now it attempts to snatch admission process too,” he said.

He also stated that quality of students will be compromised if unified admission process would be adopted.

“For quality students, DAVV conducts entrance test at centres across the country. The DHE will hold unified entrance test only in MP due to we won’t get talent from all over the country,” said a professor wishing anonymity.

VARSITIES SEEK HIKE IN GRANT
The universities sought hike in funds allocated to them annually. The registrars told the PS that there is a huge gap in the expenditure and the grant allocated by the DHE for disbursement of salary and maintenance of the university.

They said that the grant should be increased significantly. The PS sought requirements of the universities. He stated that their requirements would be put before the state Cabinet.