New Delhi, July 13(ANI): Minister of State for Human Resource and Development D Purandeswari on Monday informed the Lok Sabha that University Grants Commission (UGC) has started reviewing the functioning of deemed universities on a government direction.

Purandeswari also said that HRD ministry has ordered an evaluation of the functioning of the deemed universities by an independent team of experts, which has been separately nominated by the government.

She also informed that government has so far granted ‘deemed’ university status to 128 institutions, including 62 in the last five years, and said all proposals on deemed universities would be on hold until the review is completed.

Purandeswari said that several deemed universities have violated UGC guidelines, as they had set up new departments, off campuses and study centres without approval.

She further informed that apart from five institutions, UGC has not given approval to any university which have set off-shore campuses.

Institutions which have UGC approval are Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Vinayak Mission’s Research Foundation, Birla Institute of Technology and Science and Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute. (ANI)

• Lok Sabha