IIMC Bags Deemed University Status, HRD Ministry Issues Letter of Intent (LoI)
UGC has recommended a deemed university status to Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). The government has issued Letter of Intent (LoI) to IIMC on five conditions.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has advised the government to issue Letter of Intent (LoI) to Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) so that it will be eligible for deemed university status under ‘De Novo’ category. Usually, De Novo refers to an educational institute that focuses on teaching and research in ‘emerging areas of knowledge’.
Since IIMC has been playing a vital role in teaching and research in the areas of journalism, media and mass communication, it is eligible for deemed university status under the De Novo category, recommended the UGC.
After considering various aspects and recommendation of UGC, HRD Ministry has issued LoI to IIMC. Earlier, HRD Ministry specified five conditions which the premier journalism institute (IIMC) will have to fulfil so that it can attain the status of a deemed university.
Also Read: Central Govt. to Relax Rules for Deemed University Status
As IIMC bagged the deemed university status, it will be eligible to award degrees instead of diplomas. At present, IIMC offers eight PG diploma courses of one-year duration each at six of its campuses located across the country.
In June 2017, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting approved IIMC’s proposal to apply for deemed university status. After the ministry’s approval, a proposal was sent to MHRD on June 08, 2017. UGC had constituted an expert committee to examine the proposal/ plan along with inspection of IIMC campuses in Dhenkanal and Delhi.
Also Read: MHRD’s New Policy for Deemed University Off-Campus & Off-Shore Campus
The expert committee has completed the inspection process of IIMC campus and has recommended a deemed university status for the journalism institute. However, the inspection committee has come up with a few conditions for granting deemed university status: -
- Firstly, IIMC has to prepare a detailed syllabus for five new courses proposed by it.
- Secondly, IIMC has to upgrade the infrastructure.
- Thirdly, the institute will have to appoint faculty as per UGC norms.
- Finally, IIMC has to frame Memorandum of Rules or Association as per UGC norms.
If IIMC is able to fulfil these conditions and instructions laid down by the government, it will be granted a deemed university status.
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