Jio University must convince UGC panel about actions, plans for IoE tag

To obtain the much-coveted tag of ‘Institute of Eminence’, Jio University must apprise the UGC-appointed Empowered Expert Committee (EEC) of the steps it has taken in the last six months and its plans for the next two-and-a- half years.

“The university is yet to get the Institute of Eminence (IoE) tag, for which it needs to provide information as to what it has done in the last six months and what are their plans for the next two-and-a- half years,” said N Gopalaswami, Chairman, Empowered Expert Committee.

Jio Institute was the only educational institution that had yet to be set up when it was accorded the institution of eminence status in July last year by the EEC set up by the central government, unlike the five others in the list, triggering a controversy over the parameters and the selection process.

The time is running out for Jio University as the Committee may not be inclined to give more than 2.5 years for obtaining the tag, which is critical for the University to take off and reach the big league. Last year, Jio Institute was selected for the ‘Institute of Eminence’ (IoE) status. The Ministry of Human Resource Development had said it was under the “greenfield category”.

The list of institutes selected for the IoE status included IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi, IISc-Bangalore, BITS-Pilani and Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

Public sector institutes selected under the IoE will get a government grant of INR 1,000 crore over five years. Private universities won’t get the grant, but will be given regulatory freedom. For instance, they can take their own decisions on courses, admission policies and course fees.

Source: The Hindu Businessline