Maharashtra government will soon rope in professional rating agency for the improvement of rankings of state universities. The government proposes to follow the Karnataka government which undertakes a detailed audit and evaluation of all its universities. The state government on Thursday, set up a six-member committee chaired by the vice chancellor of the Savitribai Phule University, Pune, to select the rating agency.
The government decision is part of blue print already prepared for enhancing the quality of higher education in the state in due course of time. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who had chaired the meeting of vice chancellors of universities in April had given directions for taking due steps in this regard.
This is necessary as most universities and colleges in the state performed poorly in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). Savitribai Phule Pune University was ranked among the top 10 universities in the country while Mumbai University dropped from the 101-150 band to the 151-200 in NIRF.
State government officer told DNA,'' The committee comprises vice chancellors of universities of Mumbai and Kolhapur, Fergusson College Principal, director of higher education and joint director of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shikshan Abhiyan (RUSA). The committee will select rating agency by inviting tender. The committee will select 13 universities and 100 colleges from the state to improve their ranking.'' He informed that Karnataka carries out ranking similar to the Central Government's National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) through its own own framework.
University of Mumbai's former vice chancellor Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar said that state higher education system faces formidable problems including appointment of VCs, paucity of financial resources, lack of adequate teaching staff and accountability.''Ranking should be governed by three principles which include access, equity and excellence. The parameters for the same will be continuous revision of syllabi with focus on increase in employment potential, enhancement and enrichment of research facilities and improvement in the quality of teaching,'' he opined.
''In Maharashtra, all universities will sign uniform memorandum of understanding with the rating agency to lend its services to improve ranking,'' the officer added.
The officer said Karnataka State Universities Rating Framework (KSURF) aims to assess and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the universities and help them improve their deficiencies. Universities are ranked under regionally relevant parameters including research excellence, innovation, teaching excellence, employability, infrastructure and inclusiveness and social impact.
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