Revamped Guidelines for Cluster Universities: Expanding Possibilities in Higher Education

• 06 Jan-2024
• Posted By: Scholarshipforme Content Team
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• Approx Read Time: 5 Minutes
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The State's higher and technical education department recently conducted a workshop to elucidate the revised guidelines for cluster universities. Unlike the previous restriction allowing a maximum of five colleges to form a cluster university, the new guidelines permit the amalgamation of more than five colleges. However, the state government retains the authority to assess each application individually before granting final approval. Notably, the flexibility extends to the dissolution of newly formed cluster universities, provided there is a mandatory one-year notice to all stakeholders.

Following cabinet approval, the higher and technical education department released a Government Resolution (GR) outlining the comprehensive procedure and parameters for establishing cluster universities. This development opens avenues for managements overseeing multiple higher education institutions to submit Development Project Reports (DPR) to the state. While the earlier guidelines specified a range of two to five colleges from a single district under a unified management, the revised GR indicates a potential extension of the maximum allowable colleges.

An official from the department clarified, stating, "Such relaxation is not universal; each application will undergo individual evaluation by the state, and final approval is contingent on this assessment." The GR mandates that every cluster university establishes its start-up, incubation, and innovation center—a crucial requirement similar to standalone universities.

To ensure transparency, the higher and technical education department organized a workshop, providing colleges with an in-depth understanding of the rules and regulations associated with the new guidelines. Additionally, the office of Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil clarified that government grants to colleges would remain unchanged after the formation of cluster universities. This assurance addressed concerns among colleges that had been receiving government grants for an extended period.

Despite the continuity in grants, the GR introduces a new financial aspect. Management contemplating the clustering of colleges under a university setup must maintain a deposit of five crore. This financial requirement aims to secure commitments from the managements of higher education institutions engaging in the formation of cluster universities.

In essence, the revised guidelines signify a departure from the earlier constraints, providing more flexibility for the establishment and operation of cluster universities. The emphasis on individual evaluation, mandatory institutional setups, and financial commitments underscores the state's commitment to maintaining standards and ensuring the sustainability of the proposed cluster universities.