A Conference of Vice-Chancellors was held on 22nd June 2012. It focused on the role of Central Universities in improving the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), the establishment of schools of education catering to the needs of pre-service and in-service capacity building of teachers both for schools as well as institutions of higher learning, the integration of skills in higher education programmes conforming to the National Vocational Education Qualifications Framework (NVEQF), the implementation of the Accounting Standards developed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for efficient management of accounts, the eradication of caste-based discrimination and the development of a grievance redressal mechanism, the shortage of faculty in Central Universities and the filling up of backlog vacancies in respect of teaching and non-teaching posts, the accreditation of Central Universities to maintain high academic standards, pension portability for faculty migrating from one University to another, the issue of academic depository to curb forged academic certificates, the common entrance examination for admission to Central Universities, the establishment of Hindi and regional Languages Departments in the Central Universities and the timely utilization of funds.
Vice Chancellors of the Central Universities mentioned, inter alia, that due to the revision of the minimum qualification norms for appointment of teachers, the non-availability of suitable candidates and the non-portability of pensions, they are unable to fill the vacant posts. Inadequate budgetary provision for non-plan non-salary grants and adherence to the ratio of 1: 1.1 between teaching and non-teaching staff are making it difficult to maintain the campus and in particular the laboratories. Problems relating to non-availability and non-transferability of land for the Central Universities were also discussed.
The issue of pension portability has been taken up with the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. In order to meet the situation arising out of the shortage of teachers, the age of superannuation for teachers in Central Universities has been enhanced to 65 years. Besides, subject to the availability of vacant positions and fitness, teachers are eligible for re-employment on contract appointment beyond the age of 65 years up to the age of 70 years. Universities have been permitted to engage adjunct faculty and guest faculty and make contractual appointment of faculty to meet the shortfall. The revised pay scales for teachers have been implemented with effect from 01.01.2006. Now the entry pay for a teacher in a Central University is more than what is received by a civil servant at entry and the promotion opportunities are also better. The rates of Junior Research Fellowships and Senior Research Fellowships have been increased, science based education and research in Universities has been strengthened. As regards the Minimum Qualifications prescribed for teachers and the ratio of teaching to non-teaching staff, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to revisit the issue.
Vice Chancellors of the Central Universities mentioned, inter alia, that due to the revision of the minimum qualification norms for appointment of teachers, the non-availability of suitable candidates and the non-portability of pensions, they are unable to fill the vacant posts. Inadequate budgetary provision for non-plan non-salary grants and adherence to the ratio of 1: 1.1 between teaching and non-teaching staff are making it difficult to maintain the campus and in particular the laboratories. Problems relating to non-availability and non-transferability of land for the Central Universities were also discussed.
The issue of pension portability has been taken up with the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. In order to meet the situation arising out of the shortage of teachers, the age of superannuation for teachers in Central Universities has been enhanced to 65 years. Besides, subject to the availability of vacant positions and fitness, teachers are eligible for re-employment on contract appointment beyond the age of 65 years up to the age of 70 years. Universities have been permitted to engage adjunct faculty and guest faculty and make contractual appointment of faculty to meet the shortfall. The revised pay scales for teachers have been implemented with effect from 01.01.2006. Now the entry pay for a teacher in a Central University is more than what is received by a civil servant at entry and the promotion opportunities are also better. The rates of Junior Research Fellowships and Senior Research Fellowships have been increased, science based education and research in Universities has been strengthened. As regards the Minimum Qualifications prescribed for teachers and the ratio of teaching to non-teaching staff, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to revisit the issue.
No comments:
Post a Comment