In a significant push to overhaul the higher education system in Bihar, Governor and Chancellor Arif Mohammed Khan issued a series of directives to the vice-chancellors (VCs) of all state universities during a crucial meeting on Sunday. The gathering, held at Bihar Lok Bhavan in Patna, marked the first such assembly since the formation of the new Department of Higher Education.
Addressing Delays and Non-Compliance
Governor Khan expressed deep concern over the persistent failure of universities to act promptly on communications from competent authorities. He specifically highlighted the tendency of institutions to either ignore or delay responses to letters issued by the High Court and the Lok Bhavan. The Chancellor firmly instructed the VCs to ensure strict and timely compliance with all such directives going forward.
Furthermore, Khan directed the university heads to furnish replies to questions raised in the state legislature concerning their institutions within the stipulated deadlines. This move aims to bring greater accountability and transparency to the functioning of higher education bodies.
Key Directives for Academic and Administrative Reform
The meeting outlined a clear roadmap for improvement, with the Governor emphasizing several critical areas:
Academic Calendar Adherence: VCs were ordered to ensure the timely conduct of undergraduate and postgraduate examinations. They must also publish results strictly in accordance with the academic calendar approved by the chancellor’s secretariat.
Rural Engagement: Each university was directed to effectively implement the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan by adopting at least five villages, linking academic resources with rural development.
Digital and Financial Discipline: The Chancellor mandated the implementation of Samarth modules and Apaar IDs across universities. He also stressed the importance of maintaining stringent financial discipline.
Focus on Staff Vacancies and Future Steps
A major point of discussion was the staffing crisis in state universities. Governor Khan instructed the VCs to provide the State Education Department with the exact number of vacant teaching and non-teaching posts at the earliest. This data is crucial for initiating necessary steps to expedite appointments and fill these vacancies, thereby improving the student-teacher ratio and overall administrative efficiency.
The meeting was attended by State Education Minister Sunil Kumar, senior officials from the education department and Lok Bhavan, and all the vice-chancellors. Education Secretary Rajeev Roshan initiated the deliberations with a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the current status of the higher education department.
Other notable participants included the Governor’s Principal Secretary Robert L Chongthu, Bihar State University Service Commission Chairman Girish Kumar Chaudhary, and State Higher Education Director N K Agrawal. The collective presence underscored the state government's concerted effort to address long-standing issues plaguing the university system.
