Vice Chancellors of 17 new central universities met President of India, Mr. Ram Nath Kovind on January 6, 2018. The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the problems that are being faced by the new central universities. During the meeting, the VCs expressed their concern on faculty shortage and uneven pace of campus development. President of India invited the VCs of 17 new central universities to attend the Governor’s conference that took place recently.
The VCs of central universities, which were set up after 2009 were invited to the conference. After 2009, the Government of India established central universities in the following states: -
- Jammu
- Madhya Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- Gujarat
- Himachal Pradesh
- Kashmir
- Jharkhand
- South Bihar
- Punjab
- Orissa
- Kerala
- Haryana
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
- Rajasthan
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All the 17 new central universities in these states are suffering from a shortage of faculty. Over 30% of faculty posts are vacant in these central universities. The situation of Central University in Odisha is disastrous with about 84% of faculty posts being vacant. Similarly, central universities in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Karnataka have over 60% – 75% of faculty posts vacant.
Almost all the VCs of these central universities expressed their concern over poor recruitment on their campus location. Vice Chancellor of Central University in Mothihari pointed that the varsity is still struggling to install a fixed telephone line. On the other hand, many of the teachers do not prefer to work in such a remote location like Mothihari, he pointed.
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Apart from issues pertaining to faculty shortage and infrastructure, the VCs pointed the delay in construction of permanent campuses. Out of 17 new central universities that were established after 2009, only five universities have moved to permanent campuses. Similarly, four central universities in Kashmir, Gujarat, Mothihari and Himachal Pradesh have not been allocated land by the respective state governments.
During the meeting, it was figured out that these universities still need Rs. 4,834 crore to complete various activities.