Research proposals of teachers of state universities, government and aided colleges, assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAC), will get priority in grants. The state government, while amending the research and development plan, has given instructions to provide proposals for the academic session 2023-24. Special Secretary Government Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Mishra has sent a letter in this regard to the Director of Higher Education, all Regional Higher Education Officers and Registrars of State Universities on July 25.
According to the amendment made on July 17, under the research and development scheme, preference will be given to the research proposals of qualified teachers of such state universities, government and aided colleges, whose NAAC evaluation is valid at the time of application or the registrar/principal to this effect. Certificate has been submitted that NAAC assessment will be done within one year. Earlier there was no such condition for the approval of research proposals. The Special Secretary has given instructions to make research proposals available by August 5.
This scheme is for permanently appointed teachers in universities and colleges. Therefore, along with the proposal, a certificate will also have to be given that the teacher concerned is permanently and regularly appointed.
Efforts to improve the quality of higher education
The objective of preference in research grants to teachers of NAAC rated institutions is to improve the quality of higher education. In the review meeting held six months ago, it was revealed that only 104 (1.31 per cent) out of total 7926 higher educational institutions in the state had got NAAC evaluated. Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay had instructed higher educational institutions to conduct evaluation on top priority basis. For this, universities or NAAC rated institutions were asked to become mentors or nodals.
They say:
Director of Higher Education Department, Prof. Brahmdev said that research proposals have been sought by the government till August 5. This time, priority will be given to the proposals of those teachers whose institutes are NAAC-evaluated or give certificates for evaluation in a year.