GMCH Sector 32 Proposes Deemed University Status to Tackle Faculty Crisis
Chandigarh's Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32 has put forward a significant proposal. The plan aims to transform the institution into a deemed university. This move seeks to address long-standing administrative hurdles and accelerate the hiring of faculty members.
Breaking Free from Centralized Recruitment Delays
Dr. Raj Bahadur, chairman of the Standing Committee on Health, is leading this initiative. He argues that the current system ties GMCH to the Union Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Health for all recruitment. This centralized process has created a substantial backlog of vacant teaching positions.
As the only medical college directly under the Union Territory administration, GMCH faces unique challenges. Every new post requires approval from federal authorities, causing lengthy delays. The deemed university model would grant the college autonomy to form its own selection board.
"Decisions about infrastructure and staff could then be made locally," Dr. Bahadur explained. "This would create a more responsive healthcare environment for Chandigarh."
Why Deemed University Status Offers More Than Autonomy
Previous discussions considered making GMCH an autonomous college. However, Dr. Bahadur emphasizes that deemed university status provides greater advantages. An autonomous college still depends on a parent university for awarding degrees. A deemed university can design and confer its own qualifications.
This change would enable several key developments:
- Expanding existing departments or converting nursing and physiotherapy units into complete degree programs.
- Launching independent paramedical and super-specialty courses currently limited by strict affiliation rules.
- Creating new faculty positions based on immediate departmental requirements rather than waiting for central approval cycles.
Path Forward and Potential Impact
The proposal is now under examination by the UT administration. Approval would mark a strategic shift toward a self-sustaining model for medical education in Chandigarh.
This transformation could position the city as a regional center for advanced medical research. It would also facilitate the development of specialized healthcare certifications that meet local and national needs.
The move represents a practical solution to persistent recruitment challenges. By gaining control over hiring and academic programming, GMCH Sector 32 hopes to strengthen its role as Chandigarh's premier medical institution.
