'SUK' Asks Colleges to Provide Info for RUSA Scheme

The Shivaji University has asked its affiliated colleges to send information regarding academic and administrative departments by April 27 for the Centre's Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) scheme.

The university issued a circular on April 21 on the same. If any particular college fails to send the information on time, the SUK has said that it will not accept the annual affiliation application or the application regarding the exam. RUSA panel members had visited the university in the first week of April to record the university's academic achievements through direct interaction with faculties. Following this visit, the panel sent a mail to the university asking for all the required details by April 27.

Last year, the state directorate of higher education asked colleges to file proposals under the RUSA scheme. However, these were not properly filled in by the colleges and they had to be re-submitted later last year. An official said that the university does not want a repeat of last year's poor response and so will take strict action this year.

The Centre's ministry of human resource development in 2013 launched RUSA for higher education development, to promote infrastructure development in universities. Through its funding, RUSA aims to increase student enrolment in the higher education system. As per RUSA guidelines, 65% funds are provided by the Centre and 35% grants are provided by the state.

"A university official said that the RUSA scheme provides hefty financial assistance for the infrastructure development. Colleges accredited with an 'A' grade by the National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) are eligible for the scheme."

-Shivaji University, Kolhapur