Bihar Proposal to Delink Colleges from Universities Sparks Concern

“Undergraduate education forms the foundation of the academic ecosystem. Universities develop curricula, conduct examinations, supervise academic standards, undertake faculty development and create pathways for students to pursue postgraduate education and research. Fragmenting this structure may weaken this interwoven structure and the continuity between undergraduate and postgraduate education. Secondly, the proposed arrangement would substantially reduce the academic authority of universities over their own constituent colleges.”

“The proposal is still under consideration. Nevertheless, given its far-reaching implications for the future of higher education in Bihar, we consider it our responsibility as a teachers’ organisation to place before Your Excellency certain concerns arising from experiences across the country and from internationally accepted principles of university governance.”

“Any reform that has the effect of increasing direct bureaucratic control over routine academic administration requires careful examination to ensure that it remains consistent with this broader national vision and the intent and spirit of higher education as envisioned originally by our policy makers, as well as the purpose of ensuring greater practicable autonomy to universities and higher educational institutions.”

“Experience from several states demonstrates that strong universities are built upon stable institutions rather than constantly shifting administrative arrangements. Our founding fathers were also opposed to converting the universities into government departments.”