Lots of improvement measures announced for Institutions-students by Smriti Z Irani

Dharamshala, June 17, 2016: Smriti Z Irani, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, said that it is now mandatory for institutions to have healthcare facilities for students, staff and faculty within campus.
Tweeting on Friday, Smriti said that it is now mandatory for institutions to have Anti-Ragging, Anti-Discrimination, Gender Sensitisation Cells. She further said, “To ensure quality, only institutions having highest NAAC grade in 2 cycles eligible for Deemed University status.”
She said, “New Deemed Regulations make it mandatory for institutions to have barrier free access for specially abled students.”
She also indicated that now mandatory for deemed universities to participate in National Ranking Framework and Know Your College portal. Government nominees only for Deemed University which are Government controlled or receiving 50% or more grants. Institutions to built-up area for academic building, library, lecture theatre & lab increased from 10000 to 15000sq.m”.
She also announced a slew of measures recently, including a two-year extension for them to submit thesis papers, to ensure participation of more women and disabled students in PhD programmes, while addressing students in Shillong.
Smriti said, “Women and disabled students will get eight years, instead of six years, to submit their thesis, maternity leave benefit and migration facilities"
The Government of India has proposed that in the forthcoming commission meeting of the University Grants Commission (UGC), we will ensure that instead of two years, women and differently abled students be given three years to submit their MPhil certification," the Union HRD minister said.
"This will give impetus to increase participation in PhD programmes by women and differently-abled students," she said.
Stating that the government knows the problems faced by women who often have to leave their aspirations and dreams because of marriage, Irani said another proposal discussed with the UGC chairperson on Monday was give maternity leave for women students without counting the leave period in the days of their study.
She said, "The core of education will not be strengthened till such time that we propagate a more women centric aspect and having them as faculty members."
The minister also said she discussed with NEHU vice-chancellor, KS Srivastava, on the establishment of a separate department to study the tribal history, culture and philosophy of the northeast.