To curb the menace of ragging, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to hold a film-making competition to promote a debate on the issue and engage students.

University Grants Commission

The UGC on Friday issued letters to vice-chancellors of all universities and higher educational institutions regarding the launch of a National University Film Making Competition to spread the awareness of ragging amongst students.

The Commission will constitute an expert committee to select the three best films from the entries submitted by universities and awards of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh, and Rs 2 lakh, respectively, would  given to the best films.

“The university can promote its students and faculty to develop films on ragging. The entries from the university departments and affiliated colleges. The universities, through an internal selection procedure, will select the best entries to sent to UGC. The films may be documentary/fiction films of about 5-10 minutes,” reads the letter by Dr Pankaj Mittal, additional secretary, UGC.

As per the rules, the selected films would the property of UGC and uploaded on its website while giving credit to the filmmaker.

Institutions have asked to give publicity to this initiative and send the three best film entries from their university and institutes by November 30.

The Commission has framed regulations on curbing ragging in higher educational institutions. These regulations are mandatory and all institutions are required to take necessary steps for its implementation in toto, including the monitoring mechanism as per provisions in the regulations and ensure its strict compliance.

“The UGC has also taken several steps, including effective launch of media campaign, for preventing ragging. Films in ragging also uploaded on UGC website for use by higher education Institutions,” reads the letter.