Bihar government plans higher education reforms; New University Law under examination
A high-level meeting on higher education reforms was held at Lok Bhawan under the chairmanship of Governor and Chancellor Syed Ata Hasnain on Friday. The meeting focused on improving academic quality, strengthening administration, promoting research and accelerating digital reforms in Bihar universities.Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Higher Education Minister Sanjay Singh also participated in the discussions.One of the major decisions taken during the meeting was the proposal to draft a new university law for Bihar.Officials claimed that the proposed legislation would incorporate best practices from central universities and other states.The proposed framework is being prepared after a review of university laws of 15 states, to create a simpler, transparent and contemporary regulatory system for higher education institutions in Bihar.To encourage research and innovation, consensus was reached on several new initiatives including the Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship, the Chief Minister’s Research Fellowship Program and the Chief Minister’s Research Fellowship Scheme.These proposals aim to strengthen the research culture and provide financial support to scholars and researchers.The meeting reviewed the implementation of Samarth digital platform in state universities.Admissions are already being made through the portal.The governor directed the universities to implement the 26 modules of the Samarth system by December 31, 2026.These modules cover admissions, academic management, employee services, finance and accounts and administrative functions.The measure aims to improve transparency, efficiency and digital governance.Officials informed the meeting that a centralized recruitment process is being adopted for contractual assistant professors in 211 newly established government colleges.The aim is to ensure merit-based selection of qualified teachers and improve academic standards in higher education institutions.The government plans to make teacher development mandatory.All higher education institutions must organize at least one annual teacher development program.Teacher training centers established under Madan Mohan Malaviya teacher training scheme in Patna and Muzaffarpur universities are also being strengthened.The meeting reviewed efforts to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the universities of Bihar.Officials stated that academic programs are being redesigned in line with national standards and the curricula of 43 postgraduate subjects are expected to receive approval in the first week of July.The implementation of digital initiatives such as INFLIBNET, APAAR and National Academic Depository is also regularly monitored.At the meeting, the terms of transfer and promotions of teaching staff and university staff were discussed.It was decided that routine transfers would normally take place only during June.Transfers outside the designated period would require exceptional circumstances and the prior approval of the Chancellor.The aim of the policy is to guarantee administrative discipline and regularity.A proposal to establish a dedicated Rector’s Library for researchers and teachers was also discussed.The proposed facility would provide access to research materials, academic resources and reference collections.Governor Syed Ata Hasnain observed that coordinated implementation of these measures would significantly strengthen transparency, accountability, digital governance, academic quality and student-centric administration in Bihar universities.The meeting was attended by senior officials including Additional Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Deepak Kumar, Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh, Director of Higher Education Prof NK Agrawal and officials of the Raj Bhavan Secretariat.
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