PORVORIM: The State Legislative Assembly on Friday passed the Bill to allow private universities to set up campuses in the State.
The Goa Private Universities Bill, 2020, which was tabled on Thursday by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, was passed in the absence of the Opposition that had staged a walk out protesting the alleged illegal arrest of Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte, on Wednesday.
The Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of private universities in the State to impart qualitative and industry-relevant higher education and to regulate their functions.
As per the Bill, for setting up a university campus, the sponsoring body has to create a permanent endowment fund of at least Rs 5 crore and own land, buildings and infrastructure facilities required for it.
Directorate of Higher Education has been appointed as the nodal department, to which the proposals have to be submitted. An Evaluation Committee under the Education Minister will evaluate the proposals.
“The university shall be self financed and shall not be entitled to receive any grant or other financial assistance from the government,” the Bill stated.
The university has to also function as a non-affiliating university and shall not admit any college or institution to the privilege of affiliation. The Bill seeks to appoint a Goa Private Universities Regulatory Authority, whose chairman will be appointed by the State government, to ascertain the standards of teaching, examination and research.
