Deemed universities are important in a country like ours which is looking forward to becoming a superpower by 2020. Also, when foreign universities are getting ready to bring world class facilities, technology and academic concepts to India, the government should be creating a conducive environment for our institutions too to excel in all spheres of education.

But unfortunately it is not doing this. The problem is not with the concept of deemed universities or autonomous institutes but in the process of granting colleges such status. The 2007 notification by the HRD ministry laid down that an institute must be assessed for innovation, excellence in all aspects of education, world class infrastructure, qualified faculty, accreditation and so on, before it is granted deemed university status. But unfortunately we messed up everything, creating chaos in higher education.

I believe that deemed university status should be granted to any institute which is excellent in education, research and development, infrastructure, innovation and faculty and is committed to the betterment of society. We should make accreditation by any national or international agency mandatory for granting an institute such a status. Peer review at regular intervals should be done to make sure it retains its high standards of education. Autonomous institutions should be agents of change in this fast changing world where life is influenced by globalisation and technological innovations in a big way.

But unfortunately some are setting a bad example. It may also be true that some deemed universities have failed to perform. But that doesn’t mean the concept is itself bad. Ideally, the government should be encouraging institutes to follow the norms and attain autonomy to excel further. A few bad eggs in the basket should not kill the objective of developing excellent and innovative institutions, which can help the country’s progress. By K. Balaveera Reddy, Deccan Chronicle