Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal has asked 15 new central universities to look at conducting a common entrance test for admission to their courses. This will enable common counselling so that students and their families are saved from the trouble of going to various locations for tests and counselling.

The decision could be extended to 25 other central universities later. “The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been asked to set up a panel to coordinate with them so that there are fewer number of common courses. UGC will also be asked to look at the possibility of changing its guidelines for bringing in world-class faculty,” said Sibal after meeting the vice-chancellors (VCs) of the new universities.

He asked these universities to invite faculty from abroad and from the private sector in India for short-term teaching stints.

The government has already identified sites for setting up of the university in five states and the site selection process for other universities is on. These buildings would be environmentally sensitive, said Sibal.

The minister has also asked the respective state governments to set up state universities to take away the load of affiliated colleges from the three upgraded universities. The Centre would fund one-third expenses for setting up the state university in each of these states.

Moreover, Sibal will hold a series of council meetings with different stakeholders, like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in the next few days to discuss various issues with them.

With the IIMs, the government will hold a round-table on Friday to discuss issues like autonomy and examine the implementation of the R C Bhargava Committee report, which suggested setting up a pan-IIM board for greater excellence.

Sibal may discuss the exceptions in pay structures and service conditions with IITs, when he meets their representatives next Monday.