New UGC chief: 4 months left, but search yet to start

New Delhi: With just four months left before University Grants Commission chairman Ved Prakash completes his term, the human resources development ministry is yet to constitute a search committee to shortlist candidates for the top post.

Even as the government was not satisfied with the performance of the regulatory body, the then UPA appointee Ved Prakash is likely to complete his tenure.

Sources said that appointment of a new UGC chairman is expected only after completion of Ved Prakash’s term.

The UGC is the most important regulatory body for higher education and its role in implementing reforms in the sector would be important as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government prepares to unveil its national education policy later this year.

The government wants one of its trusted men as the chief of the higher education regulator.

However, sources said that the ministry is soon likely to form a search committee for shortlisting candidates for the post. The search committee would be tasked with the responsibility to identify 10 educationists and those with administerial experience in the higher education sectors.

Prakash was appointed on January 18, 2013 as the UGC chairman. India has 759 universities, which include 239 private, 47 central universities, 350 state universities and 123 deemed-to-be universities.

For private universities, the UGC approves courses but does not have direct control of institutes, while for central universities, the UGC funds and and approves courses.

State universities get assistance from Centre through the UGC.