Ahmedabad: As uniformity in the functioning of state-run universities continues to pose challenges despite the enactment of the Gujarat Public Universities Act, 2023, the state education department has constituted a new 13-member committee headed by the education minister.

Although statutes were framed under the Act, variations in their interpretation and implementation across universities have led to administrative and operational issues. Several institutions, including Gujarat University, submitted representations seeking amendments, noting that ordinances governing day-to-day administration are based on these statutes.

Earlier, the government had set up a panel to suggest changes, but the move drew criticism as it comprised only principals of government colleges, excluding professors and principals from grant-in-aid institutions.

The newly formed committee has been tasked with ensuring effective implementation of the National Education Policy and recommending amendments to the Gujarat Public University Statutes, 2024. Ex-officio members include the additional chief secretary (education), commissioner of higher education, commissioner of technical education, joint commissioner, senior superintendent of the university branch, and other officials.

The panel also includes two vice-chancellors, Pratapsinh Chauhan of Junagadh University and Dr Bharat Ramanuj M. of Bhavnagar University. Other members comprise representatives from the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi, the registrar of North Gujarat University, the principal of a law college in Jamnagar, and a professor from P T Sarvajanik College of Science. DeshGujarat