UGC directs 10 institutes to shut down off-campus centres; NMIMS, ISM, BITS Pilani & BIT Mesra campuses under fire

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed ten institutions to immediately shut down their off-campus centres, calling them ‘unauthorised’.

The 10 institutes affected by UGC’s direction are:

According to a report in a leading finance daily, “University Grants Commission (UGC) Deputy Secretary Sunita Siwach on November 9 shot off notices to these ten institutions, pointing out that the off-campus centres set up by them have been established in violation of clause 6 of the UGC guidelines and Article 12(5) of the Deemed University regulations of 2010. The regulator gave the institutions a month to submit an action taken report.” 

 “The UGC said in its notice that the off-campus centres have been established by these deemed universities ‘without prior approval of the ministry of human resource and development’ and failing closure, ‘necessary action’ will be taken,” it further stated.

Shiksha Opinion

Many institute heads are expressing their surprise over the UGC action, stating that off-campus centres follow the required UGC guidelines.

Shiksha.com spoke to BITS Goa’s former director K E Raman, “The institute will certainly not close. It is a surprising action on UGC’s part. The regulation that UGC is talking about, our institute doesn’t fall under it. The Goa campus was formed in 2004, accredited by NAAC and inaugurated by the PM. However, if necessary we might take remedial measures.”

Reiterating the same, NMIMS Hyderabad confirmed that they have not received any communication from UGC so far.

Explaining the confusion behind the UGC guidelines, Dr Prithvi Yadav, Director, NMIMS Hyderabad, said, “We had deemed university status prior to 2007. And as per UGC guidelines till 2007, all deemed universities could open off-campuses after duly informing the UGC (for getting confirmation in due course of time). Our Hyderabad and Bangalore campuses were started in 2011. We have provided proper information and documentation to UGC back in 2008. The Government of Andhra Pradesh invited us and gave 90-acre land to start the NMIMS campus at Hyderabad. Now, it’s a matter of UGC’s decision. Once we interact with them, the process of their recognition or acceptance will start.”

Shiksha.com is currently trying to get in touch with the other institute directors and UGC to comment on the issue.

With inputs from Madiha Jawed