Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service
Shimla, December 12
The qualifications and experience of newly appointed vice-chancellors (VC) of eight private universities in Himachal is under the regulator's scrutiny even as one university is without a VC for the past eight months.
The Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission (HPPERC) has sought clarification and additional documents from the VCs of Bahra and Arni universities while the papers of the VCs of IEC and APG universities are under scrutiny.
The documents regarding qualification and experience of new VCs are yet to be submitted by Chitkara, Maharishi Markandeshwar, Shoolini and ICFAI universities, sources in the commission said. A 10-year experience as professor is mandatory for the post, according to University Grants Commission guidelines. Earlier, the HP Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commissionhad, after the scrutiny of documents, pointed out that the V-Cs of 11 of the 17 private universities in the state were ineligible for the post on account of age, experience or educational qualifications. Three of them had subsequently quit on their own while eight were told to step down in 2020.
HPPERC Chairman Maj Gen Atul Kaushik (retd) said their aim was to ensure quality education. "Appointing ineligible people at top posts reflects in the quality of education. It's a matter of grave concern. We are not against any private institute, but malpractices will not be toleratedhellip; The eligibility of all new V-Cs will also be verified," he said.
Meanwhile, the Indus International University, Una, has been functioning without a vice-chancellors for the past eight months.
Courtesy: Tribune News Service