The Odisha Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2024 introduces reforms to enhance academic autonomy and expand access to higher education
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Odisha Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which was reviewed in the Assembly on Wednesday, includes significant proposals, such as the establishment of a senate in public universities and enhanced autonomy for higher education institutions in the appointment of vice-chancellors (VCs) and faculty members. According to the proposed legislation, the senate will serve as the governing body of the university, overseeing various aspects, including academic affairs, resource allocation, financial management, and research initiatives.
Additionally, the bill suggests replacing the state government nominee on the selection committee with a syndicate nominee. The committee will also include two other members, one appointed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and another by the Chancellor.
Furthermore, it permits the outgoing vice-chancellor to reapply for the same position at the university, provided they do not take part in the selection of the syndicate nominee. The bill also proposes increasing the upper age limit for vice-chancellors from the current 67 years to 70 years, aiming to attract more seasoned academics into university leadership roles.
The new legislation eliminates the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) from its role in the recruitment of faculty members for universities. Instead, the bill suggests that a committee of academicians will handle these appointments. This committee will consist of the Vice-Chancellor or their representative, a nominee from the Chancellor, three subject matter experts selected by the Vice-Chancellor, the Head of the Department in question, and an academician representing SC/ST/OBC/women/minority/PwD groups.
Additionally, the bill aims to establish a distance education system in all eligible universities that currently lack such provisions to enhance the gross enrolment ratio in higher education. If enacted, this legislation will be known as the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Act, 2024.
In 2020, the former BJD government disbanded senates and restructured syndicates – two key decision-making bodies in public universities – while also amending the Odisha Universities Act of 1989. The government justified these changes by stating that the Senate had become merely ‘ornamental’ and that certain provisions of the original act had become outdated.
It also established a rule that no Vice-Chancellor may be reappointed to the same university for a second term. Additionally, it restructured the three-member selection committee, replacing a syndicate-selected member with its nominee, who is an academician, by UGC guidelines.
The belated enactment of the Odisha Universities ( Amendment ) Bill , 2024 is a right decision at the right time to end the impasse in the matter of appointment of faculties and administrative staff , restoration of Senate and Syndicate , enhance autonomy by constitution of Committee for appointment of Vice-chancellors etc. A welcome step by the present Commenting for the first time. No previous comments.