06 May,2015 07:17 AM IST | | A Correspondent
In its attempt to better the quality of management services offered at colleges, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has once again requested universities across country to introduce e-governance system
In its attempt to better the quality of management services offered at colleges, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has once again requested universities across country to introduce e-governance system. The move has been aimed at introducing reliable Management Information Systems (MIS), using which functioning of educational institutes can be monitored.
A circular in this regard was issued in the last week of April, wherein UGC announced the availability of a dedicated e-schemes portal and requested universities to register themselves on it to avail the various schemes. This is UGC's second attempt at implementing e-governance. The previous attempt had to be scrapped due to irregularities.
The decision was taken after the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) asked the UGC to junk the project. As per the latest circular, UGC wants to introduce e-governance through a service-oriented approach. "The key objective is to enhance office efficiency, achieve transparency, minimise human intervention, prevent frauds, misappropriation of funds, reduce paperwork, etc, in all the institutes.
We, therefore, request all the varsities to be part of this new initiative," stated the circular signed by UGC Secretary Jaspal Sandhu. While colleges affiliated with the Mumbai University (MU) are yet to adopt the system, university officials said that e-governance would be applicable to all its affiliates. "To ensure transparency and provide better quality services, e-governance is a must.
We are yet to go through the latest circular, but colleges have already been told that they will have to register eventually," said Naresh Chandra, pro-vice chancellor, MU. While the introduction of e-governance promises to bring easier and time saving process, many colleges are worried about the downsizing they will have to undertake.
"Though the process will be helpful, it will render a large number of people jobless. We are wondering if the process is worth such massive layoffs," said vice-principal of a Thane-based college.
