Bihar govt plans higher education reforms; New University Act under consideration

Patna, June 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) A high-level meeting on higher education reforms was held at Lok Bhawan on Friday under the chairmanship of Governor-cum-Chancellor Syed Ata Hasnain.

The meeting focused on improving academic quality, strengthening administration, promoting research, and accelerating digital reforms in Bihar's universities.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Higher Education Minister Sanjay Singh also participated in the discussions.

One of the major decisions taken during the meeting was the proposal to draft a new university law for Bihar.

Officials stated that the proposed legislation would incorporate best practices from central universities and universities in other states.

The proposed framework is being prepared following a review of university laws in 15 states, to create a simpler, more transparent, and contemporary regulatory system for higher education institutions in Bihar.

To encourage research and innovation, consensus was reached on several new initiatives, including the Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship, the Chief Minister's Research Grant Scheme, and the Chief Minister's Research Scholarship Scheme.

These proposals aim to strengthen research culture and provide financial support to scholars and researchers.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of the Samarth digital platform across state universities.

Admissions are already being conducted through the portal.

The Governor directed universities to implement all 26 modules of the Samarth system by December 31, 2026.

These modules cover admissions, academic management, employee services, finance and accounts, and administrative functions.

The move is intended to improve transparency, efficiency, and digital governance.

Officials informed the meeting that a centralised recruitment process is being adopted for contractual Assistant Professors in 211 newly established government degree colleges.

The objective is to ensure merit-based selection of qualified teachers and improve academic standards in higher education institutions.

The government plans to make faculty development mandatory.

Every higher educational institution will be required to organise at least one Faculty Development Programme annually.

Teacher training centres established under the Madan Mohan Malaviya Teacher Training Scheme at Patna and Muzaffarpur universities are also being strengthened.

The meeting reviewed efforts to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Bihar's universities.

Officials stated that academic programmes are being redesigned in accordance with national standards, and the syllabi for 43 postgraduate subjects are expected to receive approval by the first week of July.

The implementation of digital initiatives such as INFLIBNET, APAAR, and National Academic Depository is also being regularly monitored.

The meeting discussed timelines for teacher and university staff transfers and promotions.

It was decided that routine transfers would normally take place only during June.

Transfers outside the designated period would require exceptional circumstances and prior approval from the Chancellor.

The policy aims to ensure administrative discipline and regularity.

A proposal was also discussed for establishing a dedicated Chancellor's Library for researchers and teachers.

The proposed facility would provide access to research materials, academic resources, and reference collections.

Governor Syed Ata Hasnain observed that coordinated implementation of these measures would significantly strengthen transparency, accountability, digital governance, academic quality, and student-centric administration across Bihar's universities.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Deepak Kumar, Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh, Director of Higher Education Prof. N. K. Agrawal, and officials from the Raj Bhavan Secretariat.

Source: IANS