JNTUH Hosts Interactive Meeting to Address Key Challenges in Higher Education
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (JNTUH) held an important meeting on Sunday with representatives from affiliated engineering, pharmacy, and MBA colleges. These included both autonomous and non-autonomous institutions. The session aimed to discuss challenges in higher education, with a focus on outdated syllabi and strict regulatory guidelines.
Professor V. Balakista Reddy, Chairman of the Telangana Higher Education Council (TGCHE) and Vice Chancellor of JNTUH, highlighted that while engineering courses update their syllabi every three years as per AICTE guidelines, other programmes haven’t seen major updates in over a decade. He stressed the need to align syllabi with global trends and industry requirements.
The Vice Chancellor also spoke about teacher shortages and financial issues in government institutions. He assured attendees that steps are being taken to tackle these problems. On fee reimbursement schemes, he promised that necessary funds would be released by March 8, addressing economic concerns faced by students and colleges.
Dr. S. Tara Kalyani, Director of Non-Autonomous Colleges, shared an action plan for moving forward. She mentioned that a detailed document with solutions and decisions regarding the challenges discussed would soon be prepared and presented. She also provided updates on the affiliation process for the upcoming academic year and thanked participants for their engagement.
Key issues of the meeting included financial transparency and fee-related concerns. The university plans to improve the fee structure to reduce the financial burden on students. Efforts will also be made to monitor service and application fees. Additionally, strict adherence to guidelines from regulatory bodies such as PCI, AICTE, and UGC was emphasised to ensure timely implementation of policies.
Another important topic was the faculty-student ratio. Discussions focused on managing faculty resources and maintaining a balance between student intake and institutional standards, despite external challenges. A comprehensive action plan summarising these issues and their solutions will soon be shared with stakeholders.
Senior officials from JNTUH, including Dr. K. Vijayakumar Reddy (Rector), Dr. K. Venkateswara Rao (Registrar), and Dr. B. Ravindra Reddy (Director of Autonomous Colleges), actively participated in the discussions.
During the meeting, Rector Dr. K. Vijayakumar Reddy stressed that universities must go beyond supervision to provide guidance and support to affiliated institutions. He underlined the importance of balancing financial realities with maintaining high educational standards. Proper oversight and leadership, he noted, are crucial for the growth and success of educational institutions.
This meeting marked a significant step in addressing the pressing challenges faced by higher education institutions under JNTUH’s umbrella and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to improving educational quality and institutional support.
