Panjab University Out of Race for 'World Class University' Status

Plans and dreams of Panjab University to achieve the world class status have been shattered due to a recent notification issued by University Grants Commission (UGC). The UGC laid down certain rules and regulations for the universities that wish to register for ‘Institute of Eminence’ status. According to the official notification issued by UGC on September 13, 2017, only the private or government owned universities could apply for the world class status. In the case of Panjab University, it enjoys a unique status of ‘inter-state corporate body’.

What does ‘Inter-State Corporate Body’ mean?

• Panjab University is the only university in the country that enjoys ‘inter-state corporate body’ status.
• The varsity neither comes under the control of central government nor state government.
• Panjab University was established under Punjab Re-Organisation Act 1962, which means that the corporate body can operate and function in those areas in accordance to which it was functioning immediately a day before the establishment subject to central government direction.
• The issue relating to the changes with regard to the status and budget are put up in the parliament.

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The officials of Panjab University were not happy with the notification issued by UGC. They termed it as a grave error for not amending the guidelines so that PU can participate. The authorities of Panjab University claimed that wrote to UGC in 2016 to include ‘inter state body corporate’ in the draft notification. The policy of UGC will affect the university, both image wise and financially, revealed an official.

Panjab University is considered as a better university, on the lines of DU and JNU. The recently released Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2018 indicates the decent performance of the varsity in the area of research.

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Conditions Laid by UGC for World Class Universities: -

• Autonomous governance structures
• A vital proportion of international students
• Admitting students through a transparent system to ensure intake of meritorious students
• Satisfactory financial assistance to meritorious students for supporting a need-blind admission process
• Exceptional levels of funding
• Best quality of teaching
• Exceptional performance in research
• Prevalence of administrative, academic and financial autonomy
• Highly qualified faculty, with freedom to hire from various parts of the world