Nagpur News.
In a decisive measure, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has brought private universities across the country under the scope of Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005. Now, the private universities would not be able to hide information regarding students’ fees, admissions, appointments of faculties and other related information. The RTI Act will be applicable to private universities once the Gazette is published. Till now, the universities coming under States and Central Government were in the ambit of RTI Act. Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) is also covered by RTI Act.
The UGC recently gave its sanction to Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities Regulations 2014 with some Reforms and Amendments. Once the Regulations come into force, the private universities could not refuse information sought under RTI Act.
NAAC RECOGNITION MUST:
The private universities will have to first share information about infrastructure facilities. Till now, mention of only land was done. The private universities would not be able to start any academic programme without the assessment of National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) or other Standard Institute. However, the orders of UGC and Human Resource Development Ministry regarding opening of campuses in foreign countries by private universities would not be taken back.
THESE INFORMATIONS WERE BEING HIDDEN:
1) Number of admissions of students.
2) Fees recovered from students.
3) Appointments and profiles of faculties and other staff.
4) Salaries being paid to faculties and other employees.
5) List of eligible guides for PhDs.
Commenting on the UGC decision on bringing private universities under RTI Act ambit, Ved Prakash Mishra, Vice Chancellor of Datta Meghe Medical Institute of Science, said the universities are public institutes. It means that transparency is mandatory. RTI will confirm transparency in private universities, Mishra said.
