Governor chairs meeting with University Ombudspersons to strengthen ethical and efficient governance in higher education
Emphasizes on the role and importance of Ombudspersons in serving as an independent, impartial and confidential resource for conflict resolution and promotion of fairness
Guwahati,Rongili Barta: Assam Governor Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya today chaired a meeting with the Ombudspersons of the universities of the state along with the private universities at Raj Bhavan. The meeting focused on enhancing ethical governance, transparency, and accountability in higher education institutions across Assam and make it more efficient for the benefits of the students. .
It may be noted that to ensure effective redressal of students’ grievances in highere educational institutions, the ‘Ombudspersons of Universities’ facilitates compliance with the University Grants Commission (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023 issued on 11 April 2023. The Regulations aimed at promoting adherence to guidelines, standards, and best practices in higher education for the benefits of the students.
Sharing his observation in the meeting, Governor Shri Acharya said that the meeting at Raj Bhavan was not merely an administrative exercise but an endeavour to strengthen the moral grounding that forms the soul of universities. He remarked that universities are not only centres of knowledge but also the breeding and nurturing grounds for values, conduct, and character. Education, he observed, must extend beyond books to embrace ethics, empathy, and social responsibility, as any act of injustice within an institution undermines its collective dignity.
Highlighting the crucial role of Ombudspersons, the Governor described them as the “sentinels of fairness” who uphold justice and integrity within the university system. He stated that the Ombudspersons represent the conscience of university governance and embodies the principles of justice and good administration within a democratic framework. Their independence, he noted, forms the cornerstone of their moral strength, enabling them to conduct inquiries and provide recommendations without fear or favour.
“The true power of an Ombudsperson,” the Governor said, “lies not in authority but in impartiality and moral conviction.” He emphasised that the Ombudspersons serve as a bridge of trust between students, faculty, and administration fostering communication, confidence, and harmony within the university ecosystem.
Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Shri Acharya stated that as universities move toward greater autonomy and accountability, the role of the Ombudspersons becomes even more significant. Beyond resolving disputes, they must act as catalysts for positive changes, promoting openness in academic functioning and reinforcing trust within the educational community. He asked the Ombudspersons to proactively identify policy gaps that could give rise to future grievances and to work toward constructive solutions.
Acknowledging the challenges Ombudspersons may face such as limited resources and administrative hurdles, the Governor expressed confidence in their experience, wisdom, and fairness to overcome these effectively. He reaffirmed that ethics and transparency are at the heart of university culture and that the Ombudsperson’s integrity and conduct should inspire both students and teachers alike.
Shri Acharya suggested that every university should be proactively working to strengthen its Ombudsperson Cell through the adoption of technology, establishment of clear timelines and transparency standards for grievance resolution, and regular awareness programmes among students and faculty about grievance redressal mechanisms. He further recommended that universities include the Ombudsperson’s annual recommendations in their reports to enhance institutional accountability and public trust. The Governor further said “May the ideas emerging from this meeting ignite a new consciousness of trust, ethics, and justice in our higher education system.”
The meeting was attended by Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor S. S. Meenakshi Sundaram, Advisor to the Governor Dr. Harbansh Dixit, OSD to the Governor Prof. Bechan Lal, Joint Secretary of the Governor’s Secretariat Bidit Das, along with Ombudspersons and senior university officials from different universities across the state.