Functioning of Private Universities

State Private Universities are established by Acts of the concerned State legislatures. At present these are regulated by the UGC as per provisions contained in the UGC (Establishment and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities), Regulations, 2003. These private universities are inspected by the UGC with the help of concerned Statutory Council(s). Out of the 111 State Private Universities, the UGC Expert Committees have already visited 53, Dr. D. Purandeswari, Minister of State for Human Resource Development said in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has reported that it conducts periodical review of universities in the country. A detailed review of each university is conducted before it is included in Section 2(f) and 12B. A comprehensive review of 124 deemed to be universities was conducted in the year 2009 with the help of Expert Committees, she said.

Quality enhancement and improvement in standards of higher education is an ongoing process. Government has taken several measures in this regard. These measures include introduction of the semester system, regular updating of curricula and Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) etc. The UGC has issued Regulations on “Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education, 2010” for improving the standards of teaching in Indian Universities.

In order to improve quality of teachers and teaching, National Eligibility Test (NET) and State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) have been made compulsory requirements, with the only exception being those who have completed Ph.D in accordance with UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of M.Phil/Ph.D Degree), Regulations 2009.

National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), an autonomous body established by the UGC, accredits universities and colleges on various parameters of quality. The National Board of Accreditation (NBA) accredits programmes offered by the technical institutions. The UGC has launched several schemes to improve the standards of education in Universities and Colleges. Under these schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible universities and colleges for creation and upgradation of infrastructural facilities, including Libraries, Laboratories and Hostels and for strengthening of teaching and research.

In order to attract best talents in the teaching profession, the Government has notified new pay structure for the University teachers w.e.f. 01.01.2006. The UGC has issued the “Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities Regulations” 2003 and the “Institutions Deemed to be Universities Regulations” 2010 for regulating the functioning of private universities and deemed to be universities in the country.

The Ministry has undertaken legislative initiatives including The National Accreditation Regulatory Authority for Higher Educational Institutions Bill, 2010, which provides for making accreditation mandatory in order to ensure independent credible quality assurance mechanism for higher educational institutions in the country.

- Report from Mathrubhumi.com

PhD at Central Electrochemical Research Institute

Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudy, under CSIR has invited applications for admission to PhD. Programme of session August 2012

Eligibility :
MSc or equivalent in any branch of Science and with a valid research fellowship awarded by a national agency (CSIR / UGC / DBT / ICMR / BINC / DST-INSPIRE or equivalent).

Application Process :
For admission to PhD programme, candidates need to fill the application ONLINE at:http://acsir.res.in.

Selection Process :
All applications received through AcSIR will be screened at CSIR-CECRI by a committee and only those candidates who are found suitable will be called for interview / counseling at CSIR-CECRI. No TA will be paid by CECRI for attending the interview / counseling at Karaikudi. However candidates called for interview / counseling will be provided accommodation at CECRI Guest House on payment of nominal charges.

Fellowship :
Candidates selected for the PhD Programme at CECRI shall draw their fellowship and other allowances, contingency etc., as per the scheme applicable to the candidate.

Important Dates :
* Last date for submission of online application : 18 May, 2012
* Intimation to candidates (electronic) :  1 June, 2012
* Interview / Counseling : Date to be notified at http://acsir.res.in
* Declaration of results (on web) : 18 July, 2012
* Enrollment : 13 -14 August, 2012
* Commencement of Session : 17 August, 2012

For details, visit : http://www.cecri.res.in/phd_programme/phd_programme.htm

PhD @ Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow

Applications are invited by Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow for admission to PhD programmes of AcSIR in Science and Engineering for August, 2012 Session.

ELIGIBILITY :

* PhD in Sciences :
Candidates with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering / Technology / Medicine or BS (of 4 year duration) or Master's degree with a keen sense of scientific enquiry for pursuing advanced research in frontier areas of Biological, Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences leading to a PhD degree. Candidate should have a valid National level fellowship (JRF/SRF of various funding agencies, e.g. CSIR, UGC, DBT, DST etc.), INSPIRE or other equivalent fellowships.

* PhD in Engineering :
Candidates with Master's degree in Engineering / Technology / Pharmacy with a good academic record and have the secured Master’s degree admission based on GATE score or Master’s degree in Sciences with a good academic record and a valid GATE score or UGC / CSIR NET / NBHM or valid CSIR-SRF or equivalent fellowship or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Technology with exceptionally good academic record and a valid GATE score having keen interest for research in various Engineering disciplines.

APPLICATIONS :
Applications must be submitted ONLINE at : http://acsir.res.in from midnight of April 25, 2012 to midnight of May 18, 2012. Applicants shortlisted for PhD Programme are required to appear for Written Test / Interview at the respective centres.

SELECTION :
All applications received through AcSIR will be screened at CSIRCDRI by a committee and only those candidates who are found suitable will be called for interview / counselling at CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow. The committee will set theirown criteria as per AcSIR guidelines for short listing the candidates. Candidates are advised to visit the AcSIR website for dates of interview in the 1st week of May, 2012.

IMPORTANT DATES :
* Application Forms will be available from : April 25, 2012
* Last Date for Application submission : May 18, 2012* Intimation to shortlisted candidates (electronic) : 1st week of May, 2012
* Possible dates for Interview (to be held at respective Institutes) : 13th June - 13th July, 2012

For details, logon to : http://www.cdriindia.org/home.asp#http://acsir.res.in/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Advertisement-for-AcSIR.pdf