UGC failed in its objectives, must be scrapped: HRD panel

New Delhi, April 1: A panel formed by HRD Minister Smriti Irani to review working of University Grant Commission (UGC) has suggested scrapping it completely.

The panel said that the nodal body for universities in India not only has ‘failed to fulfil its mandate but also has not been able to deal with emerging diverse complexities.'

The panel headed by former UGC chairperson Hari Gautam believes that restructuring of UGC will be a futile exercise and hence, has recommended setting up of a new body called National Higher Education Authority through an act of Parliament, says Times of India report.

It has also prepared a draft of the bill but said that till the time such a body is set up, HRD ministry can bring about many changes through executive order.

The two volume report says that UGC has deviated from its core goal of being a watchdog for ensuring excellence in education.

It says UGC is "plagued in the main by reductionism in its functioning."
"It (UGC) has side-stepped its function of being a sentinel of excellence in education and embraced the relatively easier function of funding education", the report has been quoted.

Advising reform from the top, the report submitted to HRD Ministry said, "UGC chairperson should be advised to strictly keep a vigilant track of the various performance areas of the UGC and assess the contribution at all levels."

OneIndia News