Sir — The new draft rules of the University Grants Commission (UGC), making PhD mandatory for recruitment of assistant professors and taking the undergraduate degree into the evaluation scheme, is myopic and kills the intent and purpose of the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan. Higher education must open up avenues for new breakthroughs and vistas to emerge and not become an employment exchange, as is seen in the burgeoning number of ‘guest faculties’ throughout the country.
With choice based credit system, it is necessary for Governments to promote interdisciplinary teaching and research. While commerce and science are faring relatively better, the decline of humanities is a matter of concern. A fresh infusion of talent and thoughts from science and engineering streams can enrich arts to a great extent. Their inputs will revitalise a field plagued by plagiarism, incestuous protectionism and inability to innovate.