UGC Refuses To Grant Institution Of Eminence Tag To Jadavpur University, Jamia Hamdard

Jadavpur University and Jamia Hamdard were shortlisted by the centre to grant the Institution of Eminence status.

UGC Refuses To Grant Institution Of Eminence Status To Jadavpur University, Jamia Hamdard

The University Grants Commission (UGC) along with an expert panel has recommended not to grant the Institution of Eminence (IoE) status to Jadavpur University and Jamia Hamdard. Both the universities were shortlisted by the centre to grant the esteemed status which is currently enjoyed by some prestigious institutions in the country like Delhi University, BHU, University of Hyderabad, IISC Bangalore, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and some others. However, a call from the Ministry of Education on the recommendations from the UGC and Empowered Expert Committee (EEC) on the matter is still awaited. By far, no response has been received from the universities as well. 

"Jadavpur University, a state public varsity had initially submitted a proposal with budget outlay of Rs 3,299 crore under the scheme. Subsequently, the Ministry had sought financial commitment from the West Bengal government for their share of funds since the scheme has a provision to fund up to Rs 1,000 crore o the proposed outlay only and to ensure continuity of funds for the implementation plans in case of any shortfall," a top official privy to the development was quoted as saying by PTI. 

"However, the same was not agreed to by the West Bengal government and it revised the proposal, first to Rs 1015 crore and then again revised steeply downward to Rs 606 crore with 25 per cent the amount to be generated by the university at its level. Noticing a significant decrease in the budget outlay, the matter was referred to UGC and EEC to examine the proposal afresh and both of them recommended the Ministry of Education to not consider the university for IoE status," he was further reported as saying. 

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has pulled back the proposal which seeked the Institution of Eminence (IoE) status for Anna University, as per officials. Notably, rejecting a financial proposal the Tamil Nadu government sidelined itself from financial commitments towards the university, and informed the higher education department about the bill passed in the state legislative assembly which seeks to segregate the university into two new universities: Anna Technology and Research University, and Anna University. A Tamil Nadu government committee had also earlier suggested that the Anna University does not require the Institution of Eminence status.

(With inputs from PTI)