more-in The functioning of State universities will be scrutinised by the Higher Education Department every two months, Higher Education Minister K.T. Jaleel has said. Addressing a meeting of Syndicate members of various varsities on Tuesday, Dr. Jaleel stressed the need to rebuild the much-maligned image of universities by adopting proactive steps. He also directed the State universities to ensure adequate reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Socially and Educationally Backward Community candidates for PhD courses, similar to what was being implemented at the postgraduate level. The Minister also proposed organising seminars and classes at the university headquarters for the benefit of postgraduate students who were pursuing various courses in affiliating colleges. He also advocated steps for doing away with audit procedures that inconvenienced teachers who received foreign funds for research activities. Besides, the government will simplify steps to enable teachers to go abroad for research and study purposes, provided such endeavours did not entail financial burden on the State exchequer. Meeting convened The Minister has called for a meeting of organisations representing teaching, non-teaching staff and students, and university Registrars on September 25 and 26. He will also convene a meeting of Vice Chancellors the next day.

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