Gangtok, 28 September (IANS). The University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 54 states across the country for not following the necessary rules, including five universities of Sikkim. This information was given by the UGC in a notice issued on 24 September. Universities of Sikkim, identified include Meritorious Skills University (Eastern Sikkim), Sikkim Alpine University (South Sikkim), Sikkim Global Technical University (Namchi), Sikkim International University (West Sikkim) and Sikkim Skill University (Namthang).
According to the UGC, these institutions have not submitted the necessary information under Section 13 of the UGC Act 1956 nor uploaded information related to ‘Public Self-Disclosure’ on their website. The UGC issued clear guidelines in June 2024 that every private university would have to showcase on its website with transparency.
The UGC said that despite repeated reminders, these institutions did not give information nor made it public. Section 13 empowers the UGC to investigate the academic quality, financial status and administrative functioning of a university, but the process has remained incomplete in the case of these institutions.
Five universities from small states like Sikkim are included in this list, while in large states like Uttar Pradesh, only four have been identified by the UGC despite more than 30 private universities. There have been less non-non-compliance cases from states like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Education experts believe that the number of private universities in Sikkim has increased rapidly in recent years, but the monitoring mechanism at the state level is weak.
This development has created a stir in the state politics. The opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has accused the ruling Sikkim Revolutionary Front (SKM) of ‘fast and without control’. SDF spokesman Shale Rai said that the UGC report proves his apprehensions already expressed. He also alleged that the trusts that operate several universities were made in a hurry and their credibility was questioned.
At the same time, the Citizen Action Party (CAP) also described the matter as ‘lack of transparency and accountability in the education sector’. CAP Vice President Kaushal Lohagan said that this situation is very embarrassing for a small state like Sikkim. He has demanded immediate government intervention.
Universities included in the UGC list described the issue as a general process and said that they will soon complete compliance.
The meritorious Skills University said that they had uploaded all the information in May itself and have also got confirmation from the UGC. Sikkim Alpine University said they are constantly in touch with UGC. Sikkim Global Technical University and Sikkim International University have described the delay due to technical upgrade and server migration. Describing it as a ‘regular compliance process’, Sikkim Skill University said that all documents are ready and will be submitted soon.
A statement issued by the Sikkim Skill University in Namthang said that we follow all the rules of UGC and other statutory bodies. The university was established in 2022 and now we have completed three years. We have prepared all the information sought by the UGC. This is a common process and does not affect the recognition or reliability of the university. Please do not believe any rumor.
-IANS
VKU/DKP
