In a bid to fulfill ever increasing demand of the students to open new courses and increase the number of subjects being taught in the cash strapped government colleges of the state, the higher education department is planning to encourage the private universities of the state to start new courses in the government colleges of the state. The private universities would start such courses in which they are having necessary expertise in the buildings of the government colleges. The interested universities would be required to provide faculty and the teaching material for the courses offered by them. They would also award their degree and diplomas to the students. The proposal is ready and is expected to be introduced soon. Experts opine that when implemented, the scheme would add a new dimension to the system of higher education in Uttarakhand.
Confirming the proposal, the secretary (in charge) of higher education, Vinod Prasad Raturi told The Pioneer that services and expertise of the private universities of the state can be used in a better way by implementing the concept. He said that the private universities would be required to pay a fixed rent to the college and they would charge fees from the students as per the norms.
Uttarakhand has 18 private universities and by introducing their courses in the government colleges, these universities would get a wide platform across the state.
When asked to comment on the new proposal, the Chief Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the SGRR university, Bhupendra Raturi said, “ The SGRR university is always ready to contribute its bit in promotion of higher education in the state.’’
There are 100 government colleges in Uttarakhand and many of them are running in rented buildings. Those who have buildings of their own face problems like lack of equipped laboratories, good library and other facilities. Large numbers of faculty position in the colleges are also vacant prompting the students to undertake agitations from time to time. Since the government colleges are situated in all the cities and towns of the state, the higher education department is always under pressure to increase the number of subjects and add more courses in these colleges. Under such circumstances, the proposal to encourage the private universities to start their courses in the government colleges is expected to improve things. To the private universities the proposal would give a chance to increase their reach in remote parts of the state.