Pune: A committee constituted by the state higher and technical education department to recommend norms for establishing private universities in Maharashtra has invited feedback from educationists, institutions, students, parents, industry representatives and the public.
Led by Bhushan Patwardhan, former chairperson of National Assessment and Accreditation Council’s executive committee, the panel will examine six key areas, including infrastructural requirements, academic quality and alignment with National Education Policy 2020, and consistency between the state law and University Grants Commission Act.
Patwardhan said the committee will also review admission procedures and fee fixation, teachers and staff recruitment, and compliance with court directives. The deadline to submit responses is Sept 25.
“This started with govt’s move to review whether private colleges can be converted into private universities. Some have read this as a step toward privatization. A govt resolution last month set up this committee to review and, if needed, revise the criteria for private universities in the state. The committee has decided to consult people, students, experts, and other stakeholders. We have floated an online survey and told the higher education department to host it on its website for wider reach,” he added.
When he was UGC vice-chairperson in 2019, a draft private university bill, envisaged as umbrella guidelines for all private universities in the country, was formulated, but it did not see the light of the day.
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