Private universities without helmsmen

WE are appalled to learn that out of 78 private universities, as many as 25 have no Vice Chancellors and 48 are without Treasurers. We wonder how these institutions are running except in a listless manner. Quite clearly, such hierarchical gaps at the top are adversely impacting on the quality of decision-making, both academic and administrative. Not surprisingly, some such universities have become known for corruption and mismanagement.
This dismal picture is ironical vis-à-vis two positive trends. One, because public universities have limited enrollment capacities, a great many students have to turn to private universities to pursue higher learning. Secondly, we know it for a fact that some private universities have made a name for themselves and are catering to the need for a qualitative access to higher education in the country. The rapid growth of private universities has had a positive effect by way of weaning away potential students who would have otherwise gone for higher education abroad. All these factors taken together increases the responsibility of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the private universities which are devoid of vice chancellors or treasurers to be properly manned and run.
Despite such deficiencies, these institutions are charging high tuition and other fees without having commensurate facilities and requisite manpower. Thus the commercial character of these institutions is highlighted at the expense of the academic. We strongly urge the UGC and the ministry of education to standardise the universities and ensure that they are compliant with the rules and regulations of the Private University Act.