KOHIMA, JULY 14: The draft bill for St. Joseph Catholic University introduced during the first day of 12th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly was passed by Parliamentary Secretary for Higher & Technical Education, Deo Nukhu today.
While passing the bill, Nukhu said, more universities are needed in the state as education is a major instrument for human development, and added ‘we are fortunate to have the support and sponsorship of DMI Foundation Nagaland’.
He also informed the house that the location of the university is at Ikishe village in Dimapur, opposite to Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Sovima whereby the building for academic, administration and staff quarters are nearing completion. He informed that no amendment is received.Er Levi Rengma, Parliamentary Secretary for PWD (Housing) sought clarification on the draft constitution of SJCU, whereby the government has no role to play, except it is only mandatory to pass the Act. He opined that the government cannot simply approve what is being submitted by the university.
He said, the government must have some representation in the board of governors by nominating a designated officer in the form of commissioner secretary or secretary education or even the minister in-charge, as special invitee in the board of governors so that the government is aware on how the university is going to function.
Putting forth his concern on the fees structured which is to be framed by the University, Rengma opined that with the university offering 223 courses, students might not be able to avail the opportunity, in which case, he said it may not be in the benefit of the local people.
Also referring to the clause of the draft constitution of the University for ‘donations received’, he pointed out that there are many universities and colleges, especially the professional institutions with the given fee structure, however said in the name of that ‘hidden donation’, lots of donations are being asked during admission. Therefore, he suggested on the need to have some mechanism to check that these things do not happen.
Clarifying the query put forth by the member, Nukhu said the University is totally autonomous; however the involvement of the government in the university will be as per the UGC norms, and such the government will be the visitor of the University.
He also informed the house that as per the norms, the head of the department of higher education, the director is in the academic council and the commissioner and secretary of the department will also be in the executive council.
Besides, non -governmental representative will be designated as members of the council as per the UGC norms, which he said will be hopefully taken care of by the university.
On the nomenclature of the University, Parliamentary secretary for Planning & Coordination, Evaluation & Monitoring & Taxes, Neiba Kronu said India being a secular state, there are lots of universities under the names of various religious denominations. Hence, he opined that in the near future colleges in the name of John, the Baptist University and Revival University may come up stating that there are lots of denominations in the state.
In this regard, Nukhu said once the Chancellor of the University is appointed, it will discuss if any change is required as raised by the members of the house regarding the nomenclature of the university. He also informed that it would request for reconsideration if any amendment is required, which can be submitted separately, and any change, thereof can be taken up in the later stage after passing the act.
