M Tariq
Khan
Lucknow,
January 05
Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik wants a change in academic regalia worn by scholars at convocations while receiving their university degrees. In a meeting with the vice chancellors of all Uttar Pradesh Universities, Naik asked them to introduce uniformity not merely in the dress code but also in the functions, which are held at such convocations.
He recallied how he was unable to put the medal round the neck of a receiving scholar at the latter’s request during a recent convocation because of the traditional cap worn by scholars at the graduation ceremonies. " I have also noticed that some universities hold extravagant convocations. This should be discouraged. Such events should be simple and have uniformity all over the State," he said. Expressing concern over the declining standards of education, Naik, suggested incentives and institution of ‘Chancellor Award’' to inculcate and encourage a healthy competition and foment quality higher education on the
lines of Visitors Award set up by the Central Government.
Pointing out at the poor state and level of education being imparted in Indian educational institutions, the UP Governor lamented that none of the total 700 universities
in the country figured in the existing list of top 200 educational institutions
of the world. “The top
100 Indian institutions, according to one survey, has 70 universities under
public sector and 30 in private sector. Only two out of the total 62 universities/institutions
(the SGPGI on 26 and Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut on 66 position) have
made it to the list,” he said. Urging the VCs to utilize various University
Grants Commission (UGC) programmes, Naik emphasized the need for their regular
appraisal by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). “As of now
only Bundelkhand, Jhansi and Sampoornand Sanskrit University of Varanasi
fulfill these norms,” he said adding that similar assessment for medical,
technical and agriculture universities was equally important.
On the
basis of his interaction with the VCs of various universities, Naik said had drafted
a nine-point agenda for discussion at the meeting. This included timely
completion of academic year, holding of students union election under a democratic
set up, review of examination and evaluation system, uniformity in
convocations, speedy disposal of representations received against university
orders, setting the age limit and qualifications of a VC as per UGC norms and establishing
a better coordination and cooperation in the functioning.
He asked
the VCs to categories their pending demands and problems into two – those pending
with his secretariat and those pending with the State Government level – to ensure
their speedy disposal. “I have drawn the attention of the chief minister
towards the problems that have been brought to me my notice. He has assured me of
their expeditious disposal. The State Medical Education and Agriculture
Education Departments have informed me about the steps taken by them relating to
the SGPGI and Banda Agriculture University and I am sure they would do the same
on other pending issues,” he said.
