Replacing LEC, NU to begin academic audit of colleges from July

Nagpur: Come July, the Nagpur University (NU) would finally start ‘academic audit’ for over 500 affiliated colleges, which would eventually replace the old system of ‘Local Enquiry Committee (LEC)’.
The new system would be implemented on the lines of the one adopted by the apex bodies like All India Council for technical Education (AICTE), National Assessment and Accreditation Council, and National Board of Accreditation (NBA).
“It was made mandatory by the new ‘Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016’ to have such a body in all state universities. The audit would be conducted by an expert panel comprising internal and external members who would be subject experts of various faculties like engineers, architects, chartered and cost accountants, among others. We’ve conducted many meetings of Board of Deans (BODs) in this regard to finalize the things,” pro-vice chancellor Pramod Yeole told TOI.
As per the procedure, the university would invite applications from the colleges detailing on infrastructure and facilities, number of teaching and non-teaching staff and students, hostel, library and courses offered, among others. They also have to inform about their financial holdings, which may be a bone of contention for them.
“Entire information is to be uploaded on the NU portal along with requisite documents and photographs. We would also be seeking an affidavit from the colleges on veracity of entire information submitted by them. In case, any discrepancies were found, we can act against them,” the pro-VC warned.
NU has finalized procedures to constitute the expert panel that would thoroughly scrutinized the colleges’ proposals and award grades to them. “Those performing well would be awarded top grades and their affiliation would be continued for three years. Those in the middle range would be granted affiliation till two years. Those securing low grades would lost their affiliation, but we will grant them a chance to improve,” Yeole said.
The new Act granted powers to pro-VC to inspect all affiliated colleges once in three years, under Section 107. “We will definitely examine the colleges which would be found lacking basic facilities or where discrepancies were found in their applications. The biggest advantage is the entire data would be available on the public domain on the NU portal. Anyone, including the students or common public can point out discrepancies in information provided by the colleges and we would verify it. It would help bring more transparency in their working,” the pro-VC said.
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