Uttarakhand govt asks universities to focus on obtaining higher NIRF rankings

The Uttarakhand government wants to focus on improving the national rankings of the state’s universities and educational institutions. Hence, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan directed all institutional heads and vice-chancellors to work toward achieving high rankings for their institutions in the coming days.

Speaking at a high-level meeting of vice-chancellors and heads of educational institutions in the state, Anand Bardhan directed them to focus on the National Education Policy (NEP) to achieve high gradation in National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings. Reviewing the universities’ functioning in the state Bardhan discussed various issues with the Vice-Chancellors and officials of the higher education department seeking detailed information on their institutions’ operations.

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The Chief Secretary directed Education Department officials and VCs of government and non-government universities and colleges in the state to work hard to achieve the educational standards set by the country’s National Education Policy (NEP).

He emphasised the need to reform the state’s higher education institutions in line with NEP. “All government universities must prepare their 5-year plans in accordance with the NEP. They must focus on obtaining NAAC and NIRF accreditations and national higher ranks in the country” said Bardhan. He asked vice chancellors “to prepare short-term, medium-term and long-term plans to fulfill and maintain the educational standards of the state. A mechanism should be developed for evaluation and improving the national ranking of all 11 state run universities.”

The Chief Secretary directed them to establish parameters for state-level ranking of the government and aided colleges in the state within next 8–10 days.
He further directed them to integrate internship programs with regular courses and ensure that universities collaborate with industries, NGOs and civil society to achieve this. He also directed the VCs

Focus on foreign language teachings in the universities.