Here’re UGC Instructions For Accreditation Of Higher Education Institutions

Bhubaneswar: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued fresh instructions for accreditation of higher education institutions in the country.

As per the UGC (Mandatory Assessment and Accreditation of higher Educational Institutions) Regulations 2012, it is mandatory for each higher education institution to get accredited by the accreditation agency after passing out of two batches or six years, whichever is earlier.

The UGC also set a target that colleges and universities should get accredited with a minimum score of 2.5 by the year 2022.

To achieve the target, the UGC introduced a new initiative called ‘Paramarsh’ in the year 2019 for mentoring the non-accredited institutions.

“This initiative intends to promote well-performing accredited institutions to mentor the NAAC accreditation aspiring institutions to upgrade their academic performance and get accredited. A well-designed scheme of Mentor-Mentee relationship will not only benefit both the institutions but also lead to quality education for the students who are currently enrolled in the Indian higher education system,” stated a UGC notification dated January 29, 2021.

So far, 167 Mentor Institutions have been approved under ‘Paramarsh’ to mentor 936 non-accredited higher education institutions. The list of the Mentor Institutions can be found on the UGC website, www.ugc.ac.in.

The UGC in the notification said that there are still a large number of institutions which are yet to be accredited. These institutions are expected to make all out efforts to get themselves accredited at the earliest. Moreover, the NAAC accreditation aspiring institutions may seek guidance from the Mentor Institutions as well as other high performing institutions so that they can get an exposure to the best practices.

The higher education institutions are therefore expected to come forward for accreditation so as to maintain global standards and ensure quality of our higher education system, the notification read.

Source: https://sambadenglish.com/herere-ugc-instructions-for-accreditation-of-higher-education-institutions/

UGC grants autonomy to 8 colleges in Maharashtra, state tally rises to 68

From the next academic year, the new autonomous colleges can introduce their own curriculum and assessment method. All the institutes had scored 3.51 or more out of 4 during their last assessment by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC),

The University Grants Commission (UGC) recently granted academic autonomy to eight colleges in Maharashtra, of which three are from Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The number of autonomous institutes in the state is now 68.

Dr Bhanuben Mahendra Nanavati (BMN) College of Home Science, Matunga, became the first college affiliated to Shrimati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women’s University to get autonomy. Similarly, Hansraj Jivandas College of Education, Khar and Changu Kana Thakur (CKT) College, Panvel, were granted autonomy. Both the institutes are affiliated to the University of Mumbai (MU).

All the institutes had scored 3.51 or more out of 4 during their last assessment by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which made them eligible for autonomy without undergoing scrutiny by various UGC committees.

From the next academic year, the new autonomous colleges can introduce their own curriculum and assessment method. They can also seek Rs 5 crore grant from Rashtriya Uchchatar Shikshan Abhiyan (RUSA) — a funding agency under the Centre.

“The objective behind seeking autonomy was to enhance our existing programmes as per industry needs, focus on skill development, modify assessment system, introduce online courses and need-based programmes,” said Shilpa Chirankar, principal, BMN College.

Sidheshwar Gadade, secretary, Janardhan Bhagat Shikshan Prasaran Sanstha, which runs CKT College, said the institute will offer a new curriculum for undergraduate and postgraduate courses at one go.

“We don’t need to make drastic changes to the existing Commerce curriculum. But curricula for Science and Arts will be updated. Also, we’ll allow 40% marks for internal assessment as compared 25% by the varsity. We’ll intend to strengthen and revise our diploma and certificate courses,” he said.

According to the state project directorate of RUSA, five more colleges from Maharashtra are likely to get autonomy by January-end.

“We are trying making colleges understand the benefits of autonomy. We want to create islands of excellence,” said a RUSA official.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/ugc-grants-autonomy-to-8-colleges-in-maharashtra-state-tally-rises-to-68/story-2tdmawVkAR7OBuZ7Jry7yM.html (Accessed on January 11, 2019)