Editorial of the Day (9th Jan): An Ambitious Push for Values, Ethics in Higher Education

Context: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched Mulya Pravah 2.0 to improve ethics in higher education. This updated guideline from 2019 emphasises instilling human values and professional ethics in institutions, fostering a culture of integrity and adherence to constitutional values.

About Mulya Pravah 2.0

• Objective of Mulya Pravah 2.0: Launched by the UGC, Mulya Pravah 2.0 aims to cultivate ethical practices and human values in higher education, countering issues like favoritism, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination.
• Transparency in Operations: The guideline underscores the need for transparent governance and decision-making, avoiding biases and focusing on institutional and public interests.
• Focus on Accountability and Ethical Conduct: Higher education institutions are urged to uphold integrity and fairness, maintaining high ethical standards in their functioning.
• Promotion of Inclusivity and Respect: It advocates for inclusiveness and respect for constitutional values, fostering a sense of global citizenship.
• Balancing Confidentiality with Public Right to Information: While emphasising confidentiality, Mulya Pravah 2.0 also recognizes the need for public disclosure of essential information for accountability.
• Responsibility of Teachers and Staff: Teachers are expected to be exemplary in their conduct and uphold high standards. Staff and student unions are encouraged to support the administration in a constructive manner.

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Concerns Related To Mulya Pravah 2.0

• Risk of Suppressing Diverse Opinions: Mulya Pravah 2.0 might unintentionally curb dissenting views, essential for the development of educational institutions.
• Ambiguity in Definitions: The lack of clear definitions for phrases such as ‘dignified manner’ could lead to misinterpretation and potential misuse.
• Concerns Over Union Autonomy: There is apprehension that the guidelines might be utilised to diminish the influence of staff and student unions, with a history of unions being banned or suspended and their representatives facing accusations.

Suggestions for Improvement

• Need for Clear Terminology: To prevent misuse, precise definitions for terms used in the guidelines, like ‘dignified manner’, are necessary.
• Balancing Confidentiality with Transparency: It’s important to strike a balance between maintaining confidentiality and allowing public scrutiny.
• Promoting Open Dialogue and Respect for Diverse Views: The guidelines should encourage open communication and respect for various perspectives, particularly those from unions, to enhance the quality and growth of higher education institutions.

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