Students walk across a busy university campus toward academic buildings
Pune: A committee constituted by the state higher and technical education department to recommend norms for establishing private universities in Maharashtra has invited feedback from educationists, institutions, students, parents, industry representatives and the public.
Led by Bhushan Patwardhan, former chairperson of National Assessment and Accreditation Council’s executive committee, the panel will examine six key areas, including infrastructural requirements, academic quality and alignment with National Education Policy 2020, and consistency between the state law and University Grants Commission Act. When he was UGC vice-chairperson in 2019, a draft private university bill, envisaged as umbrella guidelines for all private universities in the country, was formulated, but it did not see the light of the day.
We have floated an online survey and told the higher education department to host it on its website for wider reach,” he added. “This started with govt’s move to review whether private colleges can be converted into private universities. Some have read this as a step toward privatization. A govt resolution last month set up this committee to review and, if needed, revise the criteria for private universities in the state. The committee has decided to consult people, students, experts, and other stakeholders.