Latest news with #UGC


Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Governor cancels Kerala University syndicate's decision to promote pro-CPM functionary
T'puram: Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has cancelled Kerala University syndicate's decision to promote pro-CPM teachers' union functionary S Naseeb as an associate professor, allegedly violating university and UGC norms. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The syndicate's decision to consider the contract appointment period of the candidate in Sanskrit University for the promotion had sparked controversy earlier. A special meeting of the university syndicate on May 5, convened to discuss the governor's show-cause notice regarding the appointment, decided to ignore the notice and stick to the decision to promote the candidate. However, the university vice-chancellor (VC) Mohanan Kunnummal and opposition members in the syndicate opposed the move. Kunnummal pointed out that accepting the contract appointment period as teaching experience for promotion, contrary to UGC regulations, would necessitate a retrospective review of many current teachers' promotions. Only previous teaching experience with a salary equivalent to the assistant professor position should be considered for promotion, according to the regulations, the VC pointed out. Naseeb's temporary appointment at the Sanskrit University was at a salary lower than that of an assistant professor. Meanwhile, Naseeb approached the high court questioning the VC's stance of not implementing the syndicate's decision, but the court directed the governor to make a decision. Save University Campaign Committee alleged that the decision to lower the qualifications for the post of pro vice-chancellor (PVC) from professor to associate professor in the recently passed university amendment bill was to appoint Naseeb as PVC. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Hence CPM members in the syndicate took a stand to bypass UGC regulations for promotion, the committee said. It also submitted a petition to the governor and VC requesting the prevention of Naseeb's unauthorised promotion. Meanwhile, the state govt submitted a list of candidates to Raj Bhavan to be considered for appointment as interim VCs of Digital and Technological universities. The high court recently ruled that the appointment of interim VCs should be made from the list of candidates prepared by the state govt. Former governor Arif Mohammed Khan appointed Ciza Thomas and K Sivaprasad as the interim VCs of Digital and Technological universities respectively against the state govt's preference.


The Hindu
2 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
RGCB invites applications for PhD biotechnology programme
Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, has invited applications for admission to the PhD programme, starting in August 2025, in various domains of disease biology, bioinformatics and plant science. Candidates with a postgraduate degree in life/agricultural/environmental/veterinary/ pharmaceutical/medical sciences or allied subjects with a minimum of 60 per cent marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in the UGC 10-point scale can apply. Aspirants should also have a valid JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) of UGC/CSIR/ ICMR/DBT/DST-INSPIRE or any other national-level fellowship for a period of five years offered by the government. The upper age limit is 26 years. The age limit will be relaxed for SC/ST candidates and the physically-challenged. The last date for submitting online applications is June 12. For more details, visit:


India Today
2 days ago
- Business
- India Today
15 foreign universities to set up campuses in India this academic year
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday announced that as many as 15 international universities are gearing up to set up campuses in India in the current academic year, with a special focus on STEM disciplines—Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Biomedical Sciences (STEMB).Among them, the University of Liverpool has officially been granted permission by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to open its campus in Bengaluru. The formal Letter of Intent (LoI) was handed over to university officials at a ceremony in New Delhi, presided over by Minister makes the University of Liverpool the second international institution to receive LoI status under the UGC's 2023 guidelines for the establishment and operation of foreign higher educational institution campuses in India. The first LoI was issued to the University of Southampton last year, which is also expected to launch its India campus soon. Founded in 1881 and a member of the prestigious Russell Group, the University of Liverpool is the fourth foreign institution to publicly declare its intention to operate in to Minister Pradhan, this movement aligns with the vision of transforming India into a "Viksit Bharat" (developed India) by 2047. He reiterated that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provides the framework for this transformation, emphasising a globally oriented and future-ready education system aimed at developing global PARTNERSHIPSadvertisementDuring the LoI event, three key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with notable organisations such as AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited, YouWeCan, Dream11, and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). These collaborations aim to drive innovation and create mutually beneficial academic and industry on the occasion, Vineet Joshi, Interim Chairperson of UGC and Secretary of Higher Education, said the LoI represents more than just a procedural milestone. 'It signals a broader transformation in India's higher education sector—anchored in strategic reforms, international collaboration, and a robust policy framework,' he global institutions recognising the potential of India's academic ecosystem, the country's ambition of becoming a global hub for education seems increasingly within Watch


Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
University of Liverpool Indian campus to be established in Bengaluru
The United Kingdom's University of Liverpool received formal approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Monday to open its Indian campus in Bengaluru, becoming the second foreign university to receive a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the UGC to set up a campus in India under UGC (Setting Up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023 after the University of Southampton. The University of Liverpool will initially offer programs in business management, accounting and finance, computer science, biomedical sciences, and game design, and is scheduled to welcome its inaugural cohort of undergraduate and postgraduate students in August 2026, . Speaking at an event in New Delhi to formally hand over LoI to the University of Liverpool, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said this LoI reaffirms India's emergence as a trusted partner in global higher education as envisioned under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Pradhan said that the University of Liverpool is the fourth foreign university to publicly announce its presence in India. Two Australian Universities -- Deakin University and University of Wollongong-- have started their academic programmes at their Indian campuses in GIFT City of Gandhinagar, Gujarat. These two universities do not come under UGC regulations and are governed by 'International Financial Services Centres Authority (setting up and operation of international branch campuses and offshore education centres) regulations, 2022' notified by International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) – a central regulator for financial products, services and institutions – based in Gujarat. UK's University of Southampton which became the first foreign university to receive UGC approval for setting up campus in India in August last year under the 2023 regulations, is set to commence operations in August at its Indian campus in Gurugram's Sector 29. Speaking to the media after the event, Pradhan said that after receiving approvals from UGC, the foreign universities will be setting up their campuses in Lucknow, Gurugram, Greater Noida, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Bengaluru. As per UGC regulations, foreign universities intending to set up campuses in India must be ranked within the top 500 globally, either in overall or subject-specific rankings. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, the University of Liverpool holds the 165th position globally, thereby meeting the eligibility criteria. Professor Tim Jones, vice-chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said that the varsity decided to set up its campus in Bengaluru due to its partnerships and collaborations with various institutes located in Bengaluru. 'For 20 years, we have been working on various joint research projects with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru. Recently, we started collaborations with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. We closely work with Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) in Liverpool, but now increasingly in Bengaluru. So, it is a very natural location for the university to establish a campus there,' he said.


Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: SK Mishra takes charge as Gurdaspur technical varsity V-C
Eminent academician and administrator SK Mishra, an alumnus of IIM Bangalore, assumed charge as the vice-chancellor (V-C) of Sardar Beant Singh State Technical University (SBSSU), Gurdaspur, on Monday. Mishra brings over 25 years of experience in academic administration, educational planning, training and management. Before joining SBSSU, Mishra served as the registrar of IK Gujral Punjab Technical University (IKGPTU), Kapurthala. He has also worked at the National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar. Sharing his vision for the university, Mishra said he aims to transform SBSSU into a model institution of higher education in Punjab and position it prominently at national and international levels. 'One of the key targets is to expand the student strength from 3,000 to 10,000 in the coming years. The dean academics has been directed to take proactive steps towards securing UGC 12(B) status and NBA accreditation,' he said. He encouraged all heads of departments, deans, and departmental in-charges to actively pursue research, innovation, and startup initiatives to enhance the employability of students. Mishra also spoke about his plans to introduce new programmes in emerging fields like pharmacy and law.