Lack of University tag won’t affect us: Deemed educational institutions

More than 25 deemed educational institutions from Tamil Nadu will not be allowed to call themselves ‘universities’ anymore, as the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked 123 higher educational institutions to drop the word ‘university’ from their names.

This follows the Supreme Court order that the use of word ‘university’ by deemed-to-be universities violates Section 23 of the UGC Act. They have been asked to make the changes within a month.

Many well-known universities, including BS Abdur Rahman Institute of Science and Technology, Academy of Maritime Education and Training, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Coimbatore), Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences figure in the list.

Educationist S Somasundaram explains, “Universities like Anna and Madras University are governmentrun institutions. Other organisations with the name ‘university in their titles can mislead students, especially those from other states.”

However, representatives from these universities say students need not worry. “The ranking of our institution has not taken a beating because of this. People still consider us one of the best colleges in the city. Placements are going on even after the announcement came and I don’t think the reputation of the institutions has anything to do with the nomenclature,” says the correspondent of one of the universities cited in the list, further adding, “The only problem we will have to think about is to change the letterheads and advertisements that are already in place.” 

According to Section 23 of the UGC Act, no institution, whether a corporate body or not, other than a university established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act or a State Act, shall be entitled to have the word “university” associated with its name in any manner whatsoever.