Guidelines to set up private varsities

The State Government has issued guidelines for establishment of private universities in the State.

A committee, headed by Chief Secretary, will examine the proposals basing on the guidelines. The committee has secretary in the Higher Education Department as the member-convener.

Official sources said 28 proposals are pending with the State Government for setting up private universities. In the absence of proper guidelines, these cases are pending for a long time.

The State Government had constituted a high-level committee in May, 2010, headed by the Development Commissioner, to finalise the guidelines. The committee made detailed recommendations, which were approved by the Chief Minister recently.

As per the approved guidelines, each private university will have to  be established by a separate Act, which will be passed by the Assembly. The private universities will also have to fulfil the minimum criteria in terms of programmes, faculty, infrastructure facilities and financial viability.

Any college, opting to establish a private university, should have been in existence for at least 15 years in the State. But in deserving cases, the State Government can relax the condition for institutes of national and international repute.