Guwahati, April 19: Gauhati University has passed an ordinance to step up the process of according affiliation to private institutions in the current academic year.

Vice-chancellor G.N. Talukdar confirmed that the university has passed the ordinance.

With an aim to creating a pool of world class architects in Assam, Gauhati University has already given its affiliation to Guwahati College of Architecture. The college is now offering a five-year degree course in architecture with specialisation in interior and landscape design, construction technology and project management.

?In the fast-changing socio-economic scenario, the government alone cannot provide higher education. The current strength of government colleges in Assam offering degree and post-graduate courses is inadequate to accommodate the huge rush of students,? he said.

Talukdar said the private institutions have to fulfil or satisfy certain norms, including quality infrastructure and faculty members, before getting Gauhati University?s affiliation.

A strong monitoring mechanism has been put in place to ensure that no institution violates the affiliation norms later, he said.

The university?s decision will not only help in the growth of more private institutions for higher education but also contribute in augmenting its revenue collection from outside sources.

The private institutions will have to pay an annual affiliation fee to Gauhati University.

The university, established in 1948 under the Gauhati University Act, 1947 (Assam Act XVI of 1947), is the oldest and largest in the region.

There are over 200 affiliated colleges, including 30 professional ones, offering undergraduate and post-graduate courses in arts, science, commerce, law, engineering and medicine.

?Though there has been a healthy growth of private junior colleges offering Plus 2 courses in the city, the facilities are missing in higher education,? a teacher said.

At present, a few of the private institutions, which are offering graduate and post-graduate degree courses on various subjects, are affiliated to Sikkim Manipal University.

Career Concern College of Technology and Management on GNB Road is offering various courses under Sikkim Manipal University, including MBA with banking, IT, healthcare, HRD and finance.

Welcoming Gauhati University?s decision to affiliate private institutions, Nandana Baruah, a high schoolteacher and mother, said: ?There is always a danger in case the private institutions are affiliated to an outside university. These institutions may take students for a ride. There were instances when some private institutions duped students by claiming false affiliations.?

The vice-chancellor said considering the inadequate number of colleges offering Bachelor of Education courses, the university has decided to introduce a distance education programme. ?Teachers who are already working in schools and colleges or those aspiring to become teachers can avail study materials at home.?