Tathya.in (see also Pioneer) reports that XIMB (Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar) is contemplating to become or create a university so as to accommodate its expansion plans.
This is a great idea.
As of now, XIM B is the best ranked higher education institution in Orissa. 2008 Outlook ranking has it at number 8 among the management institutions in India and number 3 among the private management institutes (XLRI is number 1 privatre management school in that list ). The next best ranked institute from Orissa is NIT Rourkela which is often ranked in the early thirties among engineering colleges/institutions. The best it has been ranked is 18.
Besides XIMB, the Xavier brandname is well established in India and abroad. In India, XLRI Jamshedpur is higher ranked than XIMB and is a perennial top 10 among management institutions in India. Similarly, XISS (Xavier Institute of Social Sciences) Ranchi is also well thought off. In USA, there are three Xavier Universities: http://www.xavier.edu/ (Cincinnati), http://www.sxu.edu/ (Chicago), and http://www.xula.edu/ (Louisiana) and are all well regarded.
The Xavier institutions are Jesuit institutions and XIMB was established by the Jesuit Society of India. Besides the Xavier institutes the Jesuit society also established the many well known Loyolla colleges in India. In US, there are about 30 Jesuit universities including famous ones like Georgetown University and Boston College. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Jesuit_Colleges_and_Universities for the list.
With such background and past history of establishing and running quality higher educational institutions, a Xavier University in Orissa, which will be the first such university in India, would be a coup for Orissa and the Orissa government should jump at it, expedite this proposal and provide all necessary support.
In this regard, it may be noted that while the Sri Sri organization have a few higher education institutions, none of them appear in any ranking. In case of Vedanta University, they do not have a past track record. They do have very good people, plans and consulting agencies associated with it and one can imagine that they will be top notch.
But in case of Xavier there is no need of any imagination. With XIMB and XLRI they have proven themselves in India and with the Xavier Universities in the US and with Gerorgetwon University they have proven themselves internationally. So this is a great opprtunity for Orissa, which it should not let slip out. Also, it should expedite the process so that the first Xavier University in India is in Orissa. XLRI has contemplated becoming a deemed university. Xavier University in Orissa should be established before that happens. The one that is first has a first-mover’s advantage and that advantage should not be squandered away.
July 25th, 2009
Various reports (Economic Times,PTI) mention that Orissa government has introduced bills for three private universities. They are: Vedanta University, Sri Sri University and ICFAI University.
In this context it should be noted that the UGC currently (as of June 2009) recognizes 42 such private state universities in India. None of them are in Orissa. This list of 42 universities obtained from the UGC site http://www.ugc.ac.in/notices/updatedpriuniver.pdf is as follows:
CHHATTISGARH
1. Dr. C.V. Raman University, Kargi Road, Kota, Bilaspur.
2. MATS University, Arang Kharora Highway, Gram Panchayat: Gullu, Village: Gullu, Tehsil : Arang, District: Raipur.
GUJARAT
3. Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Gandhinagar, Post Box No. 4, Gandhinagar-382 007.
4. Ganpat University, Ganpat Vidyanagar, Mehsana, Goazaria Highway, District Mehsana – 382 711
5. Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya, Sarva Vidyalaya Campus, Sector 15/23, Gandhinagar.
6. Nirma University of Science & Technology, Sarkhej, Gandhinagar Highway, Village- Chharodi, Ahmedabad.
7. Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, At Raisan, Dist. Gandhinagar – 382 009.
HIMACHAL PRADESH
8. Chitkara University, HIMUDA Education Hub, Kallujhanda (Barotiwala), Distt. Solan, – 174103 Himachal Pradesh
9. Jaypee University of Information Technology, District-Solan-173 215.
MEGHALYA
10. Martin Luther Christian University, KIPA Conference Centre, Central Ward, Shillong – 793 001.
11. Techno Global University, Anita Mension Bishnupur, Lawsohtun Road, Shillong – 793004.
MIZORAM
12. The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University, Salem Veng, Chaltlang, Aizawal – 798 012.
NAGALAND
13. The Global Open University, Wokha – 797 111.
PUNJAB
14. Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar –Ludhiana, G. T. Road, Near Chehru Railway Bridge, Phagwara, District – Kapurthala – 144 002.
RAJASTHAN
15. Bhagwant University, Post Box No. 87, Sikar Road, Ajmer – 305 001.
16. Jagannath University, Village-Rampura, Tehsil-Chaksu, Jaipur.
17. Jaipur National University, Jagatpura, Jaipur.
18. Jyoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University, Vedant Gyan Valley Village, Jharna Matpala Jabner, Link Road NH-8, Jaipur.
19. Mewar University, Chittorgarh.
20. NIMS University, Shobha Nagar, Jaipur – 303 001.
21. Sir Padmapat Singhania University, Pacheribari, Jhunjhunu.
22. Singhania University, Pacheribari, Jhunjunu.
23. Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Mahal Jagatpura, Jaipur.
24. Jodhpur National University, Narnadi Jhanwar Road , Jodhpur -342001 ,Rajasthan.
25. Amity University, Rajasthan NH-11C,Kant Kalwar, Jaipur- 303002
SIKKIM
26. Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management University, Jorethang.
27. Sikkim- Manipal University of Health, Medical & Technological Sciences, Gangtok-737 101.
TRIPURA
28. Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI), Agartala – 799001.
UTTAR PRADESH
29. Amity University, NOIDA, (UP)
30. Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow-226 026.
31. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University, Chitrakoot Dham-210 204.
32. Mangalayatan University, Aligarh.
33. Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, Rampur.
34. Sharda University, Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P.
35. Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Delhi-Haridwar Byepass Road, Meerut.
36. Teerthanker Mahaveer Univesity, Delhi Road, Moradabad.
UTTRAKHAND
37. Dev Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Gayatrikunj, Shantikunj, Hardwar-249 411.
38. Doon University, Campus Office, 388/2, Indira Nagar, Dehradoon.
39. Himgiri Nabh Vishwavidyalaya (University in the Sky), Dehradun.
40. Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI), C-1/103, Indira Nagar, Dehradun-248 006.
41. University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Building No. 7, Street No. 1, Vasant Vihar Enclave, Dehradun-284 006.
42. University of Patanjali, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar.
In that document, after giving the list, the notice says the following:
These universities are competent to award degrees as specified by UGC under Section 22 of the UGC Act and with the approval of the statutory councils, wherever required through their main campus. Wherever the approval of the statutory council is not a pre-requisite to start a programme, the universities are required to maintain the minimum standards regarding academic and physical infrastructure as laid down by the concerned statutory council.
It is also informed that private universities cannot affiliate an institution/college. They cannot establish off campus centre(s) beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the concerned State. However, they can establish off-campus centre(s) within the concerned State after their existence of five years and with the prior approval of the University Grants Commission. So far, UGC has not approved any off campus centre(s) of any Private University.
Approval letters for course under distance mode should clearly state that the course has been approved by the Joint Committee UGC, AICTE and DEC and the approval letter should be jointly signed by Secretary UGC , Member Secretary, AICTE and Director, DEC as per the provision laid down under clause 9 of the MOU signed by UGC, AICTE and DEC.
Students/Public at large are advised to go through this website carefully before taking admission in any of the above State Private Universities and report the matter to Secretary, UGC on finding any violation of the above provisions.
Interestingly, none of the above are in the southern states (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala) or Maharastra which took a huge lead in establishing engineering colleges.
July 25th, 2009