The Union Government should tweak its approach to the Deemed Universities and allow the alumni of these institutions a greater say in their governance, S K Khanna, former vice-chairman of University Grants Commission and former Chairman of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), said here on Tuesday.
Delivering the Knowledge Leadership Forum Lecture on “Indian Higher Education Institutions-Issues of Governance and Performance” at Sastra University, Khanna asserted that the Centre’s approach to the private varsities was erroneous to the extent of damaging the higher education system.
“The educational institutions do not belong to societies or trusts but they belong to students,” he said, substantiating his point.
Instead of reaching out to the government or other statutory bodies like the AICTE, efforts should be made to invite and keep the alumni in the governance structure of such higher educational institutions, he maintained. Besides, many of the alumni would be successfully placed to facilitate and help the growth of the institutions.
“Hence, a mechanism to involve the alumni should be devised,” Khanna added. He said it was the responsibility of the Centre to make available quality teaching manpower.