Edu-leaders

The University Grant Commission (UGC) tagged six universities with 'potential for excellence' status. The list included Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi), Osmania University (Hyderabad), Guru Nanak Dev University (Amritsar), Mysore University (Mysore), Rajasthan University (Jaipur) and Karnatak University (Dharwad).

According to UGC, proposals have been invited from the Universities across India, which are meeting the eligibility criteria relating to UPE scheme. Altogether 31 universities responded to the circular issued by the commission out of which ten universities were shortlisted. These universities have submitted extensive data according to the commission's requirements.

Later UGC has set up an Expert Evaluation Committee to gauge all the universities on the parameters framed by it. The committee has evaluated all ten universities on the standard of governance, teaching and research etc. According to UGC, Punjab University, Bangalore University, Punjabi University and Andhra University were also in the race to get the status.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) had introduced the scheme called “University with Potential for Excellence” (UPE) to encourage selected Universities to  reach world-class standards in their chosen domain(s) by providing additional funds to them under the Scheme. Apart from universities, this Scheme is also to identify colleges which have attained high standards in teaching, research and extension activities and hold promise of excellence. A college selected under the Scheme is provided substantial funds to improve and strengthen its infrastructure that would help it in attaining further higher academic standards.