Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

UGC team completes university visit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 11-member team from the University Grants Commission (UGC), on a three-day tour of the University of Kerala to recommend grants during the 11th Plan period, completed its tour of the teaching departments and other facilities on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the team had toured the teaching departments located on the Palayam campus of the varsity and had also visited the University Library.

On Thursday, it was the turn of the departments located on the Kariavattom campus.

According to sources in the university, the team comprised of three groups. “On an average the team spent 15 to 25 minutes at each department. Since this is a visit to determine the grants for the 11th Plan, the tour was not an exercise in performance appraisal, the kind that we get to see during a visit by the peer team of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC),” a University official pointed out.

In a presentation made to the UGC team, the university made out a case for receiving Rs. 52.26 crore during the 11th Plan. This is a quantum jump from the Rs.3.6 crore that the varsity received from the UGC during the 10th plan.

This time the varsity had asked for development grant worth Rs.42.31 crore and Rs.9.94 crore for various schemes that it proposes to launch during the 11th Plan including a women’s hostel for Rs.2 crore.

Apart from enhancing intake in its existing programmes, the varsity proposes to strengthen its distance education programme, set up a Competency Development Centre and remedial coaching programmes targeting students from disadvantaged sections of society.

The setting up of a finishing school, shoring up university-industry interactions and introduction of e-governance in the varsity’s administrations are some of the projects that the varsity has promised in the 11th plan period.

As per the suggestions of the UGC team, the University Library has put in a proposal for recruiting close to 20 additional personnel and another for linking by computer the libraries at Palayam and Kariavattom.

The varsity is also due to be re-accredited by the NAAC this year. During its maiden accreditation in 2003, the University managed only a B++ rating.

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