UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar announced that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) providing support for persons with disabilities will now receive additional consideration in the accreditation process.

A collaborative effort involving thirteen regulatory bodies across diverse educational domains aims to guide HEIs in seeking recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC). This initiative encourages the establishment of monitoring committees within these institutions to address issues concerning deemed-to-be and private universities.

During the recent inter-regulatory authority meeting convened by the UGC, a resolution was reached to assess the swift and effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar outlined the plan to give weightage to universities or institutions with facilities for persons with disabilities, aligning with Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) guidelines in the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation criteria.

Kumar stated, "All the regulators will review faculty selection or promotion guidelines and align those with UGC regulations to avoid inconsistencies." Additionally, regulatory authorities will reach out to industrial organizations associated with them, urging them to nominate industry professionals for the professor of practice portal of the UGC.

In another move to enhance faculty capabilities, regulatory bodies decided to encourage faculty members' participation in capacity-building programs organized by Malviya Mission Centres. These programs aim to review faculty selection or promotion guidelines, ensuring alignment with UGC regulations to prevent inconsistencies.

HEIs are instructed to seek guidance from their respective regulatory authorities and provide information on initiatives under the National Education Policy (NEP) through the UGC UTSAH portal. This multifaceted approach aims to create a more inclusive and technologically advanced higher education landscape in the country.

News Source: India Today