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Cochin University of Science and Technology yet to renew National Assessment and Accreditation Council accreditation
published on : 11/01/2014
Category : University Grant Commission
KOCHI: The Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) may lose out on financial assistance from the University Grants Commission (UGC) as it has not renewed its accreditation issued by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). As per clause 7.1 of its 2012 regulations, UGC has notified that financial assistance will be given to institutions of higher education which have undergone assessment and accreditation process. Accordingly, in its meeting on November 29 it was decided that all universities and institutions must apply for NAAC accreditation by June 2014, failure of which would lead to discontinuation of financial assistance by UGC from April 2015. Cusat lost its NAAC accreditation six years ago but is yet to renew it. According to university sources, the delay has been due to the confusion about Cusat getting Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST) status. "Once, Cusat gets IIEST status we need not apply to NAAC. Also, another reason for the delay is Cusat's grave financial situation," said an official. The accreditation process is based on different criteria, including curricular aspects, teaching-learning and evaluation, research, consultancy and extension, infrastructure and learning resources, student support and progression, governance, leadership and management and innovations and best practices. With over 45% vacancies in faculty positions, the university could lose out on points on that ground, sources say. The University of Kerala has also not renewed the NAAC status. Kochi: Cochin University of science and technology (Cusat)may lose out on financial assistance from the University Grants Commission (UGC) because they have not updated their accreditation issued by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). As per clause 7.1 of its 2012 regulations, UGC has notified that financial assistance will be given to institutions of higher education which have undergone assessment and accreditation process. Accordingly, in its meeting on November 29 it was decided that all universities and institutions must apply for NAAC by June 2014, failure of which would lead to discontinuation of financial assistance by the UGC from April 2015 onwards. Cusat lost its accreditation six years ago but is yet to reapply for NAAC accreditation. According to university sources, the delay has been due to the confusion about the Cusat getting IIEST status. "Once Cusat has IIEST status we don't need to apply to NAAC. Also another reason for the delay is because of Cusat's grave financial situation", said an official. However, Cusat is not alone. Even University of Kerala has not updated the NAAC status making them also vulnerable to the new notice by the UGC. The accreditation process is based on seven different criteria including curricular aspects, teaching-learning and evaluation, research, consultancy and extension, infrastructure and learning resources, student support and progression, governance, leadership and management and innovations and best practices. With the university not having a full-time vice chancellor and registrar to start with, the issue of appointment of permanent staff in the teaching section is a major lacunae. With more than 45 percent vacancies in the faculty positions, the university could lose out on points on that ground, point out sources. Interestingly, research and teaching, learning and evaluation are two categories which get the maximum points. Sources point out that status of colleges recognized by the university but not affiliated and their academic performance could come under the scanner as Cusat is a unitary type of university.
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Cochin University