Degrees for sale: Deemed university is a funny and unique concept in countries like India.Earlier in days of socialist controls,some coveted institutions like Tata and BITs were given this special status.NDA government made it a commodity with liberalisation.Every third rate group( I can't help but laugh on use of this word group by Tom and Harry)of third rate few institutes rushed to Delhi to get Deemed to be university status callijg old blocks faculties.The benefits were very clear.No day to day interference from State run affiliating university (although these are themselves third rate in India), no control of fees-the Major reason for making this beeline-Charge huge fees as a private autonomous University-Straight from Rs 40,000 to 1.2 to 2 lacs per annum and no serious examination plans needed.I read-I test system,quoting IIMs and IITs like some of premium institutes in India. It is free for all.Minting money in a cash business of technical education in India which is otherwise third rate in world.On top of it miniscule number of Industry experienced persons are in faculty since old and outdated third rate Profs of State sector rule the country.PhD qualification was deliberately and mischievously made compulsory in technical education also even for senior executives to throw them out so the third rate and retired professors could have a field day drawing salaries of 50,000 PMm to 2 lacs per month after retirement or by taking 2 years sabbatical Holidays.It was never so good for State univ babus.Students,parents and industry don't speak.How an engineer,MBA,MCA or doctor can teach without going as they say to Operation Theatre?What is quality of PhD in India every one knows and psot doctoral woirk is almost zero.research,coinsultancy and practical experience is zero. Books are written by cut and paste.So Indian books are bulky and disarranged. Even people from general faculties have intruded in management ,computers,medicine and engineering institutes showing their third rate PhD degrees.It was never so good for profs from general faculties. Situation is pretty bad in India and needs immediate comprehensive reforms.It is not merely a issue of Deemed or not.State promoted private universities and the fund starved Government Univresities and their undisciplined Profs of state owned universities is a shame on nation which claims to become super power.It is just disgusting.Supreme court should not feign ignorance and become tough and take up all issues mentioned above in-toto.Dismantle UGC,AICTE and so on and set up autonomous stakeholders dominated regional councils of higher education with just 15% state professors and babudom on the board.Rest to come from business,industry,professions and students & their parents and independent experts.Will Supreme court and Kapil Sibal ji listen?Will even students listen? Students should be happy.If it is no more deemed university, their fees will go back downwards with state affiliation.So cheer up all!Prof R K Gupta Hony Presient, India FORCE
