5 things you need to know about the newly passed Karnataka State Universities Bill

The Karnataka State Universities Bill states that presently there are seven universities acts in force and each one differs in its functioning and is considered necessary to bring uniformity in monitoring of these universities by the state government.

The Bill seeks to bring about these 5 changes:

#All universities in the state will come under the purview of the department of higher education. There will be common rules to be followed by all universities with regard to administration and functions

#Now it is mandatory for the chancellor (governor) to consult the state government while exercising the post’s discretionary powers.

#The search-cum-selection committee for appointment of a vice-chancellor should consist of eminent academicians not below the rank of vice chancellors, former vice-chancellors or directors of institutes of national importance.

#The candidate chosen for the vice-chancellor's post should be a distinguished academician with a minimum teaching experience of 25 years, of which at least 10 years should be as a professor or in an equivalent position at a reputed research or administrative organisation.

#A common recruitment board will be established by the state government for initial direct recruitment to universities for the teaching and non-teaching staff in the state.

• Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddi