The Hindu : UGC's proposed Model Act draws flak

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 05, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

UGC's proposed Model Act draws flak

THE JAMIA Administrative Staff Association of Jamia Millia Islamia and the University and College Karamachari Union of Delhi University held a demonstration outside the University Grants Commission's office here on Wednesday protesting against the UGC's proposed Model Act for the universities of the 21st Century.

The two groups submitted a memorandum to the UGC Chairman, Arun Nigavakar, stating that the proposed model would not only take higher education out of the common man's reach but also lead to unnecessary encroachment on the universities' autonomy by interfering in their administrative management, financial and academic affairs.

The memorandum submitted by the Jamia Millia Islamia also points out that the proposal to hold a common entrance test for professional and engineering courses should be withdrawn as it amounts to snatching away the autonomy granted to Jamia Millia and other universities by an Act of Parliament. The protestors from Jamia Millia added that the university has successfully conducted the admission tests for these courses for many years and has managed to maintain all norms and standards.

Also, the groups have asked for removal of the ban imposed on recruitment of non-teaching staff, explaining that the services of the supporting staff in the university are directly correlated to the pupil-teacher ratio.

The ban must, therefore, be immediately lifted, demanded the protestors. The Jamia Millia Islamia group also asked for more promotional avenues for technical and professional staff, a facility that they claim is non-existent.

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DR. LAXMI Mal Singhvi, M.P., known for his pioneering contributions in the fields of judiciary, academics, diplomacy and international fora, will deliver the annual Kothari Memorial Lecture for 2003.

He is scheduled to speak on "Value Based Education -- A Civilizational Perspective'', on February 11 at 11-30 a.m. in the lecture hall of the Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi.

The Delhi University had established the Prof. D.S. Kothari Centre for Science, Ethics and Education, which works for the propagation of the ideas of the late professor.

Speaking about the centre, its co-ordinator, UGC emeritus fellow Feroz Ahmed, said, "Prof. Kothari always worked relentlessly to achieve a synthesis of science, education and moral values. He believed that a strong commitment to ethics is the way forward in the endeavour to harmonise science and moral values. He was one of the synthesisers of ancient Indian philosophy, Gandhian thought and modern science.''

Among the main activities of the centre is to organise every year the `Prof. D. S. Kothari Memorial Lecture', by inviting eminent persons from India and abroad.

On February 11, a book titled "Science and Humanism'', the fourth collection of non-technical writings of Prof. D.S. Kothari, will also be released by the Planning Commission member, K. Venkatasubramanian.

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HELPING TO train undergraduates, graduates and professionals specifically in the area of hydrocarbons, the University Of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) claims to have taken pioneering steps in this direction.

UPES has been established by an Act of the Uttaranchal Government and assented to by the Governor. The University is dedicated exclusively to petroleum and energy studies and claims to provide world-class education, training, research, consultancy and outreach services in the entire spectrum of oil and gas.

UPES has begun its first academic year with five programmes on a full-time and part-time basis with enrolments of 109 students in B.Tech (Applied Petroleum Engg), 106 in MBA (Oil and Gas Management) and 25 in M.Tech (Gas Engg) in Delhi and Dehra Dun. For those interested, the contact address is - University Campus 395, Petroleum House, Street No.1, Vasant Vihar Enclave, Dehra Dun - 248006

Phone -- 0135 - 2764370 - 73, while the Delhi (Regional Centre) office is at A -1, Kailash Colony, phone -- 011- 51730151 - 54.

Bindu Shajan Perrapadan

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