VCs support semester system,regular fee hikes

The two-day Vice-Chancellors conference concluded with a host of reform ideas figuring in a wishlist prepared by them.

The two-day Vice-Chancellors conference concluded on Saturday with a host of reform ideas figuring in a wishlist prepared by them. Among the ideas floated were semester system; external academic audit and upto 10 per cent fee revision every three years; transparency in appointments of VCs; collaboration with foreign universities; incentivising faculty to check brain drain; more grants for research; and autonomy.

State universities showed readiness for a two-semester system even as opposition to the proposal continues in Delhi University.

One of the key recommendation said,Critical shortage of faculty needs to be addressed on a priority basis. Strategies may include instituting Young Faculty Awards; teaching assignments for research scholars; providing short- or medium-term employment for foreign faculty on international level of remuneration; nationwide accreditation of faculty.

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While calling for additional grants,the V-Cs also expressed openness to third party audits. This should be a pre-condition for the eligibility of the institution for funding support, they said.

HRD Minister Kapil Sibal welcomed the suggestions and asked VCs to demarcate these into those that are immediately doable and those that are the long-term goals so that a strategy of implementation can be devised.