According to the recent circular by UGC, a Tripartite agreement has been formed between University Grants Commission, Ministry of Human Resource Development and the institutes/Universities which promises to provide enhanced autonomy and delegation of financial powers and also facilitate assistance from the government and the UGC. This agreement came to light after the much heated debate over the autonomy of the colleges in Delhi University and other univerisities across the nation.
Tripartite Agreement
Such agreement usually creates a bond between any three parties, agreeing to pact over a certain issue. In a broader perspective like any ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ this agreement, binds the limited amount of players into a law of agreement under the Companies Act of 1956. In the context of educational institutions, a very famous example is the Tripartite agreement between, IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee and IIT Bombay who are governed by Institute of Technology Act, 1961 and its amendment, agreed in the year 2013, to have a cooperative relationship in terms of exchange of students, staff and faculty.
‘Increase in Fees’
According to certain critiques, this memorandum with increase the already existentant power of Center in the functioning of the universities/colleges. Some also, deliberate on the fact that it will come down as a ‘official loan system’ wherein the college may get a new mechanism of borrowing which in turn will increase the monetary expenses of the students, from the tuition fee to the hostel charges. Rajib Ray, president of the Delhi University Teachers‚Äô Association (DUTA) said: ‚ÄúOnce this tripartite MoU is cleared by the university, it will result in the bureaucratization of the academic system. Initially, there were grants that were received from the UGC. Now, with the loan system, the fee structure will become exorbitant, which will impose stringent financial stress on many.‚Äù
Delhi University officials haven’t given a clear cut position on their stance over the proposed memorandum.¬† A official meeting is expected in the coming days. The question of agreement remains crucial as it shall not only affect the ‘autonomous’ position of the colleges but, the students who can possibily be the only real victim of it.
