Expert Committee recomends to close 44 deemed universities

While students panic, HRD minister says government will ensure every student studying in deemed universities earns a degree

Around 9 am yesterday morning, 23-year-old Dr Riddhi Katuria, a final year MBBS student at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), a deemed university in Karad, heard that her university is to be stripped of its deemed status (see box). Her university is one of 44 across the country that could be stripped of their deemed status by the central government, as they are allegedly being run as family fiefdoms instead of institutions of excellence.

Talking point
"My friends at the campus have not been talking about anything except this all day," Katuria said. An experts committee recommended that the universities' deemed status be revoked. The HRD ministry ledu00a0 by Kapil Sibal handed the committee's report to the Supreme Court and has decided to abide by the stand the court takes on the report.

Medical students in particular are upset with the timing of the Central government's announcement. "The news has come at an extremely inopportune time as exams are round the corner," said Dr Abhijit Joshi, a final year ophthalmology student of D Y Patil College.

Ninad Kulkarni (21), a third-year mechanical engineering student of Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, said he might move abroad if the university's deemed status is not restored. "I will wait to see what the government decides.
I am hoping for the best but if things don't work out, I will opt for a foreign university," said Kulkarni.

Despite repeated attempts, Sanjay Patil, vice-chancellor of D Y Patil Medical college, Kolhapur, did not take our calls. Dean Dr R N Kadam said he was unaware of the situation. "I am in Goa on official business. This has happened suddenly. I did read about the government's decision in today's papers. I don't know why we should lose our deemed status when we have good facilities to offer in our college. I hope the picture changes. Let's hope for the best," Kadam said.

Vice Chancellor, Deepak Tilak, of the Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth (TMV), another university mentioned in the list, said no official communication had reached them from the government.

"A review committee from University Grants Commission had visited us recently and they had clearly mentioned in their report that our deemed university status would be continued for five more years. We will challenge the decision in court," Tilak said.

Despite repeated attempts, Jaywantrao Bhosle, vice chancellor, KIMS University could not be reached for comment.