CUSAT, KU yet to get accreditation

Two state universities are likely to lose the financial assistance from the University Grants Commission (UGC) from April 2014 as they are yet to get accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). As per UGC (Mandatory Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012, financial assistance by the UGC to institutions of higher education shall be given only those institutions, which have undergone assessment and accreditation process stipulated under the regulations. Accordingly, all universities and institutions receiving financial assistance from UGC were asked to apply to the recognized accreditation agency, NAAC, latest by June 1, 2014. On December 27, 2013, the UGC had warned those universities, which fail to get the accreditation before the stipulated date, of discontinuation of financial assistance. The accreditation validity of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) expired in November 2006. According to CUSAT registrar, the university applied for accreditation last year and their Letter of Intent has been approved by NAAC. "The NAAC team will inspect the university in another three months and we are hopeful to get the accreditation," he said. Meanwhile, the accreditation validity of University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, got expired in March 2008. Though the university applied for Cycle 2 accreditation validity, Letter of Intention to NAAC was rejected due to non-submission of complete documents. However, university's Internal Quality Assurance Committee director Simon Thattil claimed that they have submitted all the remaining documents and was positive about getting the accreditation. However, sources said that absence of Vice-Chancellor would adversely affect the university in getting the accreditation. The 133 universities which are eligible, but have not yet applied for accreditation include Kannur University, Kerala Kalamandalam and Central University of Kerala. They will also not have the opportunity to receive UGC grant. At present, the only universities which have NAAC accreditation in the state are Calicut University and MG University apart from Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, which is a deemed university.

Keywords: universities,University Grants Commission ,UGC,National Assessment , Accreditation Council,NAAC,Mandatory Assessment ,Accreditation , Higher Educational Institutions, Regulations, Cochin University, Science , Technology ,CUSAT, Intent , Kannur University, Kerala Kalamandalam ,Central University, Calicut University, MG University , Indian Institute , Space Science , Technology,education news