Deemed universities concerned more about revenue

New Delhi: The Government appointed committee to review the functioning of deemed universities said that many private deemed universities are predominantly concerned about revenue generation rather than promoting academic and research activities.

The panel is headed by P N Tandon in its report, has also suggested setting up a national committee for fixing rational fee structure for deemed universities which can be reviewed from time to time. Most of the deemed universities have fee structure considerably higher than that recommended by the official fee structure committees established according to the Supreme Court directives. Many of them created their own fee structure committees to justify the exorbitant fees, according to the report which have been submitted to the apex court.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter tomorrow. The committee has found 44 of the 130 deemed universities to be unfit for the status while another 44 have been found deficient in many areas. It has recommended that the 44 deficient deemed universities should be given three years time to rectify their short comings while the deemed university status should be withdrawn from those found unfit.

"Except a few public-funded institutions, quality research is not done in any of the deemed universities. Research, which is a major component of university, is not being carried out by these institutions," said the report. It also stated that there is not a single example of technology transfer, generation of patents and intellectual property in these institutions. Even though the UGC guidelines speak about holding an all-India entrance test to enroll students, the deemed universities never follow any common entrance examination. They conduct their own entrance which is very often restricted to limited geographical locations or regions.

The committee has recommended that the highest governing body of the deemed universities should be headed by the vice-chancellor and should include distinguished academics and professionals as its members.

25 Reasons Why You Should Dress Up Every Day

Fashion sense is not limited by college dress codes, but by one’s imagination. Fashion savvy students have learnt to innovative within the boundaries set by colleges, and successfully put together ensembles that demonstrate attitude and a sense of style.

Since when did it become an unusual thing to put effort into what you wear and have fun with fashion? Since when is anyone not wearing sweatpants and a hoodie breaking unwritten social rules? Why should “dressing up” be reserved for special occasions only?

I was immediately inspired to create this list. I firmly believe in “dressing up” every day of your life, and I think you should too!

So why dress up? Here are 25 good reasons.

1 Because life’s too short to blend in. Don’t settle for average.
2 Because you’re only young once. You’re way more gorgeous than you know & have a fabulous body you’ll one day look back on and wish you had! Take advantage now and show off how fabulous you can be.
3 Because fashion is a method of self expression. What are you trying to say?
4 Because you never know who you’ll run into. Brad Pitt at the grocery store? Hey, stranger things have happened.
5 Because it obviously annoys some people (like the guy who asks why YOU are so dressed up). The fact that it annoys them so much is all the more reason to keep doing it.
6 Because you never know, there’s always a chance you could get snapped by The Sortorialist
7 Because you deserve to look your best at all times.
8 Because you’ll never improve your sense of style if your default look is “I give up”. Yes, that was a Seinfeld reference. But it’s true!
9 Because dressing up helps you weed out friends who don’t love you for you. If they have a problem with the way you dress, they’re not the kind of friends you want around.
10 Because cute clothes and accessories are a great conversation starter. Wear something fabulous and people will ask you where you got it.
11 Because parties aren’t the only time to celebrate.
12 Because that fabulous party dress in your closet cost too much to only be worn once. Remember cost per wear?
13 Because it’s fun!
14 Because even if you live in an “unstylish” city & are scared to dress up, cities don’t become stylish without someone going first. I know it sounds cheesy, but be the change you want to see in the world. Everyone else can follow your fabulous lead.
15 Because dressing up helps you make fashion mistakes and get past them. Mistakes happen to everyone and that’s how you learn what not to do – get them out of the way now!
16 Because it’s a test of your confidence. Dressing unconventionally forces you to develop the self-assurance necessary to stand out from everyone else.
17 Because fashion is one of the rare instances where art comes alive. What artistic statement do you want to make?
18 Because if you’ve got it (great style, killer confidence, amazing legs), it’s just wrong not to flaunt it.
19 Because someday when you have a 9-5 corporate job and are required to wear business suits, you’re going to miss the freedom of dress you had in college. Experiment now! There’s no better time.
20 Because glamour isn’t only reserved for the rich and famous, even though maybe they’d like you to believe it is.
21 Because if conspiracy theorists are to be believed, the world might end on 12/31/2012 – that’s only 1211 days from now! Even though we all worried about Y2K too, why not be on the safe side? Don’t spend the theoretical 1211 days you have left in sweats.
22 Because Carrie Bradshaw would not approve of your sweatpants and UGG boots. You can do better than that. And deep down, you know I’m right.
23 Because dressing well means you don’t have to do your hair at all – you’ll have that ultra fabulous, slightly disheveled Kate Moss look.
24 Because nothing beats the rush you feel when you look in the mirror and LOVE what you see.
25 Because you want to. That’s the only reason that matters.
(or maybe the guys over at Street Spotted)!

Sharpen Your AXE

A young person who graduated yesterday and stops learning today will become uneducated tomorrow.

Radhika, a woodcutter, worked for a Company for five years but never got a raise. The Company hired Amy and within a year she got a promotion. This caused resentment in Radhika and she went to her Boss to talk about it. The Boss said, "You are still cutting the same number of trees you were cutting five years ago. We are a result-oriented company and would be happy to give you a raise if your productivity goes up."

Radhika went back started hitting harder and putting in longer hours but she still wasn't able to cut more trees. She went back to her Boss and told him his dilemma. The Boss asked Radhika to go and talk to Amy. "Maybe there is something Amy knows that you and I don't."

Radhika asked Amy how she managed to cut more trees. Amy answered, "After every tree I cut, I take a break for two minutes and 'sharpen my axe'. When was the last time you sharpened your axe?"

This question hit like a bullet and Radhika got his answer.

"When was the last time you sharpened your axe?" If you want to progress in life, you cannot rest on your past laurels. You must continuously sharpen your axe of knowledge, skill and expertise, in whatever field of activity you may be!

By sharpening your axe appropriately, I wish you to attain your goals.