{"id":74306,"date":"2020-12-25T18:49:26","date_gmt":"2020-12-25T13:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=74306"},"modified":"2021-03-04T13:20:06","modified_gmt":"2021-03-04T07:50:06","slug":"need-for-reform-in-governance-structure-of-public-universities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/need-for-reform-in-governance-structure-of-public-universities\/","title":{"rendered":"Need for reform in Governance structure of public universities"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><b>Synopsis: The governance<\/b> structure of public universities must be reformed on an urgent basis as it may help them become world class universities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">55 central universities,\u00a0endowed\u00a0with prime land and\u00a0extensive\u00a0central grants, are\u00a0crown jewels of the Indian academic system.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">However, lately, these universities are facing governance-related challenges. Six vice-chancellors (VCs) of central universities have been sacked and another five have been charge-sheeted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Need for Public universities<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">There are some important\u00a0public\u00a0universities, where\u00a0<b>cross-disciplinary research to<\/b>\u00a0solve complex modern problems\u00a0take place, with the\u00a0<b>focus on all the major branches of learning<\/b>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Locus of innovation\u00a0has been switched towards innovative private universities which have\u00a0<b>failed to develop into broad-based universities<\/b>\u00a0with the full range\u00a0<b>of humanities, social and natural sciences and the professional disciplines<\/b>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Thus,\u00a0central universities must be saved\u00a0to\u00a0<b>save the academia<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>What\u00a0is the\u00a0governance\u00a0structure\u00a0in public universities?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">As each of the 55 central universities is governed by a separate Act, there are difference in governance structures, but broadly it is as follows:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><b>VC:<\/b>\u00a0President of India is the\u00a0Visitor of the university. On his behalf,\u202fMinistry of Education\u00a0appoints chancellor.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">For that purpose, Ministry appoints\u00a0search committee\u00a0to interview\u00a0multiple candidates\u00a0and to come up with the list of 3 candidates. From the list ministry appoints a VC.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><b>Senate or court<\/b>: It is chosen through\u00a0different process\u00a0and constituted of\u00a0nominees from various stakeholders, including the government, faculty, students, and citizens.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Technically, this is\u00a0<b>the governing council (GC) of the university<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"8\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><b>Executive council:\u00a0<\/b>Council carry on the university work.\u00a0It is chaired by VC and appoints\u00a0the registrar.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"9\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><b>Finance committee:\u00a0<\/b>Finance committee is\u00a0appointed\u00a0to maintain financial checks and balances.\u00a0It is\u00a0headed by a chief finance officer.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>What are the issues in\u00a0governance structure in public universities?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"10\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">GC\u00a0has no say in the selection of the VC\u00a0and meets only once a year. In theories,\u00a0it\u00a0approves the\u00a0annual plan of the university, presented by VC. But in\u00a0reality,\u00a0plan is approved without discussions or questions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"11\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">After approval there is very minimal\u00a0direction or monitoring from the GC\u00a0throughout the year.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"12\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Size of the GC is very big to organise any fruitful\u00a0meeting. For example;\u00a0GC of Delhi University has 475 members.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Best Practices\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><b>Example of IIM<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"13\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">In contrast to the general Governance structure, IIM structure is much better version.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"14\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">It has set a limit on the members of GC at maximum of 19. All of them are expected to meet s certain standard\u00a0i.e.\u00a0eminent citizens\u00a0with broad social representation and an emphasis on alumni.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"15\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Functions of GC includes:\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Selection of Director,\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Providing overall\u00a0strategic direction,\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Raising\u00a0resources,\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Monitoring the performance of director\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Example of\u00a0Harvard<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"9\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"16\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Until 150 years ago, Harvard was also a government university and was on verge of collapse.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"9\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"17\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">It only became what it is today after\u00a0governance reform\u00a0by creating an empowered board comprising its most successful alumni. They brought\u202fdynamism, oversight, and resources\u00a0with them and made it a world-class university.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Way forward<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"10\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"18\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Thus, it is apparent that\u00a0the governing councils of all central universities\u00a0IITs, and all other central institutions\u00a0is restructured\u00a0by an Act of Parliament.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"10\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"19\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Boards of these universities should comprise of their most eminent alumni.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"10\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"20\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Recently the\u00a0billion-dollar endowment campaign\u00a0announced by university\u00a0is being spearheaded by its most successful alumni, many of them\u00a0created Unicorns, or billion-dollar companies. If alumni like them invited to GC, they may help it become a world-class university like Harvard.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Synopsis: The governance structure of public universities must be reformed on an urgent basis as it may help them become world class universities.\u00a0\u00a0 55 central universities,\u00a0endowed\u00a0with prime land and\u00a0extensive\u00a0central grants, are\u00a0crown jewels of the Indian academic system.\u00a0\u00a0 However, lately, these universities are facing governance-related challenges. Six vice-chancellors (VCs) of central universities have been sacked and&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/need-for-reform-in-governance-structure-of-public-universities\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Need for reform in Governance structure of public universities<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":74360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1230,1351,1310,9],"tags":[1309,1415],"class_list":["post-74306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9-pm-daily-articles","category-daily-news","category-daily-news-updates","category-public","tag-education_related","tag-gov_0","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Need-for-reform-in-Governance-structure-of-public-universities.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","views":{"total":1,"cached_at":"","cached_date":1701143677},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74306"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74306\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}