Bhubaneswar: All the deemed universities in the country have been permitted to call themselves universities, following a historic decision by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India and University Grants Commission recently. Prior to this decision use of ‘university’ was reserved only for state or central universities as per provisions in Section 3 of UGC Act.  

This decision was taken last month after a meeting of Chancellors and Vice Chancellors of the universities in New Delhi. It was observed in the meeting that provisions of the Section 23 of UGC Act do not apply to the deemed universities therefore they should be allowed to call themselves university. However, all universities should clearly state the provisions under which they have been established.   

Before this it was clarified by UGC in another decision that in view of the qualitative educational programmes imparted by the deemed universities, such universities can start new curriculum and increase the seat strength without requiring approval of UGC and AICTE.  

It is expected that constructive use of these provisions of the UGC will result in an improvement in the higher education in the country as well as benefit to hundred of thousands students.