HP CM exhorts private universities to strictly follow UGC norms

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh asked private universities to strictly adhere to the norms prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) regarding infrastructure and faculty.

While presiding over a workshop organised by Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission (HPPEIRC) he said, “the grievances of teachers should also be covered under the regulatory commission especially in respect of proper recruitment of faculty as per UGC norms (eligibility and subject specialization), payment of proper salary and other benefits.”

“Himachal Pradesh is the first state to appoint a regulatory commission for private educational institutions imparting higher education. UGC has played an important role in improving the standard of education in private educational institutions, ensuring transparency, enforcing statutory provisions and academic regulations. The Private universities should strictly adhere to the norms prescribed by the University Grants Commission, said the CM.

He said besides exercising a strict control over the private educational institutions, the commission had ensured merit-based admissions in all private universities, giving justice to students and as a consequence , the institutions were now following a uniform academic calendar as per the UGC norms.

The chief minister announced the launch of "Mukhya Mantri Gyandeep Yojna" and expressed hope that the scheme would encourage more students to pursue higher education and go a long way in achieving the goal of 36 per cent enrollment in the same by 2022