GOVT COLLEGES TO ADOPT ONLINE ADMISSIONS CRITERIA FROM NEXT ACADEMIC SESSION

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 20:

To streamline the higher education system in Punjab, all Government colleges will adopt online admissions criteria from next academic session. Each college would be required to submit a monthly progress report of its academic and other activities. These decisions were taken in the meeting with the Principals of Government Colleges held under the chairmanship of Mrs. Razia Sultana, Minister for Higher Education, Punjab.

Additional Chief Secretary of Higher Education Mr. S.K. Sandhu presided over the meeting, Special Secretary of Higher Education Mr. M.P. Arora, officials of department of Higher Education and DPI(C) Punjab was also present in the meeting.

Giving details about the decisions and other initiatives taken during the meeting, official spokesperson said that various issues related to raising standard of Higher Education in Punjab were discussed at length in the meeting. It was decided to have appraisal of the academic activities and action plan for next year, online admissions, ensuring maximum attendance of students, faculty development, status of NAAC accreditation, introduction of academic audit, subject combination in under graduate courses, best practices in colleges, motivational lecture series by eminent personalities, status of libraries.

He further said that it was decided that all teachers of the colleges will have to undergo one week orientation/refresher course every year to enhance their knowledge and teaching methodologies. No Principal will have any power to relax attendance of any student, Necessary directions in this regard would be issued soon by the Government. Attendance of the students will be marked online from next academic session. He said that the Department will be introducing academic audit of the colleges from next academic year and a committee will be formed to carry out this task. He also stressed the need to equip Libraries with good newspapers, magazines and Journals of International repute.

The Minister for Higher Education asked all the Principals to work hard and develop mutual trust among teachers and students, as there is need to strengthen the connection between students, faculty and administration. She asked Principals to hold at least one motivational lecture for the students per month by eminent personalities of the area. She also announced three separate functions at the University level will be held to honor best students in academics as well as in other activities to encourage the students. She further said that it is need of the hour that concerted efforts are made to improve the standards of Higher Education. She asked Principals to ensure maximum attendance of the students.