Ensure varsity has adequate faculties: Gujarat HC to Gujarat Forensic Science University

A division bench of Gujarat High Court, headed by Justice MR Shah, on Tuesday set aside a single bench order and directed the Gujarat Forensic Science University (GFSU) and its institutes to ensure adequate number of qualified faculties are recruited as per the UGC norms.

The court's order came after two students — Sandip Munjyasara and Jayendra Rathod — who are pursuing MTech in Cyber Security and Incident Response from the university, challenged an earlier single judge order.

While partially admitting the petition, the court also directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to ensure that the faculties hired by the university are eligible to be hired as per the UGC criteria.

The court also observed that a university was not just about setting up a building but also ensuring adequate facilities, including the presence of qualified faculties.

The court, however, did not entertain the plea of the students that the fee be charged as per what is charged by other universities (that offer M.Tech courses) which receive grant from the government. The students had also sought that if the former was not allowed, the fee for the courses be fixed by the fee regulatory committee. It should be noted that the university through a resolution of the government has been exempted from some of the rules that apply to other such aided colleges. The court, however, observed that the students were free to challenge the said resolution of the government.