Nagpur: Statutory body members of Nagpur University on Friday slammed the administration after TOI highlighted how the varsity was running without mandatory National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) certification.
Those responsible for the lapse, from the previous and current administration, should be held accountable for this blunder and must be punished, the members demanded.
“I’ve been highlighting lack of big research activities and also lack of bridge courses in the last couple of years in Senate and Management Council (MC) meetings. Except false assurances, nothing moved and as a result, we’re without the NAAC grading now. It’s shocking that one of the oldest institutions in India is operating without certification that has been made mandatory by University Grants Commission,” said a dejected MC member Vishnu Changde.
An Academic Council member said when he had pointed out to former vice-chancellor SP Kane about the delay in sending self-study report (SSR), the VC had assured that varsity would be completing the formalities shortly and hence it has received one-year extension. “We had requested both Kane and the present VC Subhash Chaudhari for initiating some action against those who had delayed the SSR. Else, such apathy would continue forever. How can officials take such important task very lightly and don’t even get punished,” he asked.
Agreeing with them, Senate member Mohan Bajpayee wondered why no action was taken till date against any official even after a month of NAAC certification’s expiry.
“It’s very shocking that the university is operating without NAAC certification when most students choose university on that basis. NU administration is turning out to be a big failure across all spheres. There’s still time to make amends. Now NU should act on a war footing and do everything to get the top NAAC grade. The VC should lead by example, instead of declaring that the university is not going to get an ‘A’ grade,” he said.