Universities Research and Innovation Bill, 2012

PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
TWO HUNDRED FORTY EIGHTH REPORT ON THE UNIVERSITIES FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION BILL, 2012 can be accessed here.

The Bill provides for setting up of Universities for Research and Innovation both in the private sector and the public sector. Presently, there is no central law which provides for this framework, hence the need for a central legislation.These universities would concentrate less on teaching and more on research and innovation. These universities would also be non-affiliating universities and enrolments would mostly be at the postgraduate (PG) and post-PG level.

While the views of the academia supported making existing institutions stronger in terms of autonomy and innovation, the industry representatives were of the view that this legislation created an excellent facilitating framework for research and innovation in areas which were generally neglected by the regular programmes of regular universities.

Conclusion by the committe:

It is an undisputed fact that our country is yet to make its presence felt in the world so far as pioneering research work is concerned. The Committee is also aware that quite a few of our universities and research organizations have been doing commendable work inspite of persistent constraints being faced by them. Lack of funds resulting in the absence of minimum infrastructure, severe shortage of qualified and experienced faculty and also no autonomy even in issues strictly falling under their domain can be cited as the main impediments in their functioning. In such a scenario, the objective behind the proposed legislation is laudable and needs to be supported by all concerned. The Committee also welcomes the initiative of the Government for proposing the new category of specialized universities. However, the Committee, after making an in-depth analysis of the Bill and its likely impact has drawn the attention of Government to the shortcomings, lack of required provisions and contradictions
observed in the Bill in the Report. The Committee would appreciate that necessary
modifications are brought out in the Bill as recommended by it.