The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Panel of experts to study feasibility

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 21, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Panel of experts to study feasibility

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA, FEB. 20. The Minister for Higher Education, Pinnamaneni Venkateswara Rao, has said that the Government has decided to take all precautions in granting `deemed university' status to aspiring educational institutions in the State.

An experts' committee has been asked to study the possible consequences of issuing the much-sought-after status and submit a report with necessary recommendations, Mr. Rao has informed.

"The committee is expected to submit its report in two to three months. Based on its recommendations and observations, the Government will consider granting deemed university status," the Minister said, addressing the golden jubilee celebrations at Montessori Educational Complex here on Sunday.

Government wary

The Government had been wary of different problems that would arise out of foreign and private universities, he said and added that there were apprehensions about problems like issue of fake degrees. "Against this background, we want to be careful. The committee will go into all aspects. Its report will be vital for the Government to take a definite view," he said.

Mr. Rao said he would positively consider the Montessori institution for the deemed university status in view of its image and commitment to best educational practices.

Job-oriented courses

Speaking on the occasion, the Montessori Director and Correspondent, V. Koteswaramma, said their institution was committed to offering more job-oriented and socially relevant courses to its students. For this, Montessori was seeking higher status to be able to modify syllabi and offer a variety of courses to suit the changing needs of students and industry, she added.

She said the deemed university status would provide space, scope and flexibility to the management for helping students through innovation and collaboration with similar centres of excellence all over the world.

Director felicitated

The faculty of Montessori felicitated Dr. Koteswaramma and presented her a `swarna kankanam' (gold bracelet) on the occasion. The Montessori Mahila Kalasala president, V.V. Krishna Rao, presided over the meeting. The JNTU Vice-Chancellor, Y. Venkata Rami Reddy, the Deputy Secretary and Head of UGC South Eastern Regional Office, S. Jelani, the Commissioner of Vijayawada Municipal Corporation, V. Usha Rani, the Chairman of Forum for Higher Education, I.V. Chalapati Rao, and others were present.

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