UGC mandates disclosure of fees, hostels, scholarships
UGC Transparency Directive: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has compiled a set of information that universities must upload on their websites. Universities are required to update information and documents such as annual reports, accreditation and ranking, institutional development plans and administrative profiles with photos and overviews that are public on their websites to ensure transparency.
The decision to instruct universities and higher education institutions to upload basic information was taken to avoid inconvenience and uncertainty caused to stakeholders. According to UGC chairman Jagadesh Kumar, several university websites lacked minimum basic information or the website was not functional causing “inconvenience to stakeholders”.
Information on scholarships, research and development units should be updated
The UGC has also asked to update details of R&D cells, patents, publications, foreign collaborations and industrial partnerships on the website. For the benefit of the students, the website will have to display the updated information about scholarship grants, academic loan bank, DigiLocker NAD portal along with the national scholarship portal. The UGC plans to release a checklist for comments and suggestions soon.
Minimum Mandatory Disclosure for Universities
According to the UGC, the following information constitutes the minimum mandatory disclosure that universities must publish on their websites. Check out the list below:
- About the college/university
- Overview of the University
- Law and Statute or MoA
- Institutional development plan
- Annual reports
- Constituents/Affiliated Faculties Off-Campus/Off-Shore Campus (wherever applicable)
- Accreditation/Ranking (NAAC, NIRF)
- Academics
- Academic programs
- Academic calendar
- Schools/departments/centres
- Department/School/Centre Faculty Details with Photographs
Details of university admission and fees
Institutions are required to upload details of academic programmes, academic calendar, schools/departments/centres, faculty details with photos, admissions and fees along with other important details:
- Prospectus
- Admission Guidelines for International Students (wherever applicable)
- Fee structure for various programs
- Refund Policy
Details of the research
- Research and Development Cell
- Publications
- Patents
- Foreign cooperation (wherever applicable)
- Cooperation in industry
- Central facilities
- Memorandum of Understanding
Student support service
- Hostel
- Scholarships/scholarships
- Academic loan bank
- Digi Locker NAD portal
- National scholarship portal
Harmony and well-being in the campus
- e-Samadan
- Student Grievance Committee (SGRC)
- Details of the People’s Ombudsman
- Internal quality assurance unit
- Internal Appeals Committee
- Mobile anti-clogging station with helpline number
- Equal opportunities cell
- Socio-economically vulnerable group (SEDG)
Also Read: UGC releases draft guidelines for research internship for undergraduate students, invites feedback
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Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education