THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Chief Minister Oommen Chandy throwing his weight behind the proposal to set up private universities in the state despite opposition from Education Minster P K Abdu Rabb, the stage is set for the entry of private players with proven track record in the state’s higher education sector.
The Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) on Wednesday submitted a report to Chandy and Abdu Rabb recommending the setting up of private universities in the state.
The feasibility report was prepared by an expert committee chaired by Cyriac Thomas, former Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University.
It was on the directions of the Chief Minister that the KSHEC set up the committee to examine the proposal. The Education Minister, who was reportedly kept in the dark, had on many occasions, expressed his reservations over the proposal.
Predictably, the sharp divide within the government over the proposal came to the fore immediately after the report was submitted.
While the Chief Minister welcomed the proposal saying it will help improve quality of higher education, Abdu Rabb told reporters in the presence of Chandy that he remains firm on his opposition to the proposal to allow private universities.
Meanwhile, the KSHEC sought to downplay the controversy that the study by an expert panel on the feasibility of setting up private universities was carried out without the knowledge or approval of Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb.
“The study was commissioned by the KSHEC Executive Council in which the Education Minister is not a member. The minister comes in the picture when the report is brought before the governing council for approval at a later stage,” KSHEC member secretary P Anvar told reporters.
Cyriac Thomas said the report does not favour giving a “free hand” to private agencies interested in setting up universities. “Norms of UGC, AICTE and MCI will have to be followed by such universities as the case may be,” he said.
Thomas said the model draft legislation that the committee has prepared for setting up private universities clearly discourages profiteering by private groups. “The model legislation lays down that surplus funds if any should be reinvested for the development of the university,” he said.
Members of the expert panel said it was up to the government to take a decision on whether a separate body should be constituted to regulate and monitor fee structure of private universities on the lines of the Justice James Committee. They said reservation norms should be followed by private universities for admission and appointments.