Academics committee to monitor faculty appointments, awarding of PhD degrees: UGC

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken the decision to establish a committee that will assess faculty appointments and oversee the awarding of PhDs in higher education institutions (HEIs) in a timely manner.

By Jitendra Jangid May 27, 2023, 12:37 IST

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to set up a committee that will evaluate faculty appointments as well as look into the awarding of PhDs at higher education institutions (HEIs) on a timely basis. The Commission plans to establish this team in a bid to check the violation of regulations. This decision was finalised at the 568th meeting of the Commission held on April 24, 2023.“The role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in nurturing intellectuals and imparting knowledge to the nation’s growth is well known. The UGC, with the mandate to promote and coordinate University education, notifies, among other things, regulations to ensure the quality of the teachers and the quality of research degrees from time to time,” UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar said.The necessity for this standing committee came up owing to the instances of appointment standards being violated over the years - that has later resulted in several complaints to regulatory bodies.Explaining more about the Committee, Kumar stated that the team will meet at regular intervals throughout the year to choose a few institutions, gather information on faculty appointments and keep records on the award of Ph.D. degrees. They will also verify documents to ensure that all the recruitment process of teacher appointments and Ph.D. degree awards follows the UGC regulations. The standing committee will also recommend appropriate actions, in case of any violation.Two of the regulations which will specify the minimum eligibility criteria for the appointment or promotion of teachers and award of PhD degrees include:- Commission’s regulation on minimum qualification for appointment of teachers as well as other academic staff in universities and colleges along with the measures for the maintenance of standards in higher education, 2018.- And Commission’s (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022.Both the above regulations will establish the criteria for choosing eligible candidates for teacher appointments and upholding the quality of research degrees given at HEIs. Furthermore, the agreement with these regulations is also mandatory.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken the decision to establish a committee that will assess faculty appointments and oversee the awarding of PhDs in higher education institutions (HEIs) in a timely manner. This move by the Commission aims to prevent the violation of regulations. The decision was reached during the 568th meeting of the Commission on April 24, 2023.

M Jagadesh Kumar, the Chairman of UGC, highlighted the crucial role played by HEIs in nurturing intellectuals and contributing to the nation's growth through knowledge dissemination. He emphasized that the UGC, entrusted with the task of promoting and coordinating university education, periodically issues regulations to ensure the quality of teachers and research degrees.

The need for a standing committee arose due to instances where appointment standards were disregarded in the past, leading to numerous complaints lodged with regulatory bodies. Kumar elaborated on the committee's responsibilities, stating that it would convene at regular intervals throughout the year to select a few institutions, gather information on faculty appointments, and maintain records of PhD degree awards. The committee will also scrutinize documents to ensure compliance with UGC regulations in all teacher appointments and PhD degree conferrals. In case of any violations, appropriate actions will be recommended by the standing committee.

Two regulations will play a significant role in establishing the minimum eligibility criteria for teacher appointments, promotions, and PhD degree awards. These regulations are as follows:

The Commission's regulation on minimum qualifications for the appointment of teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges, along with measures to uphold standards in higher education (2018).
The Commission's (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations of 2022.

Both regulations will define the criteria for selecting eligible candidates for teacher appointments and ensure the quality of research degrees granted by HEIs. Furthermore, adherence to these regulations is mandatory.

Academics committee to monitor faculty appointments, awarding of PhD degrees: UGC

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