MU proposes over 130 new colleges in 2011-12

While the recommendations were recently approved by MU’s management council,some members said the university should not rush the proposals. They said a periodic review needs to be conducted on proposals which had been recommended by the university and subsequently sanctioned by the state government in recent years. “At the management council meeting,some members felt it is necessary to find out how the new colleges are functioning and whether they have fulfilled all conditions. At present,there is no systematic audit. The existing colleges are already suffering from lack of teachers. There’s also a huge burden on the university as many colleges are affiliated to it,” said a management council member.

Last year too,many members had said during the senate meeting that the university must first address problems like inadequate teachers and facilities in existing colleges. They had suggested a proper demand-supply study to avoid shutting down of colleges/courses. The Pen engineering college,for instance,was shut down over two years ago due to lack of students.

Meanwhile,BV Bhosale,a senate member of the university,said,“To ensure quality education,timely evaluation of these colleges needs to be done by the university authorities. It is necessary to review if they have proper faculty,adequate infrastructure and facilities among others to avoid inconvenience to the students. If any gaps are found,necessary steps must be taken by the university to decide upon the future of their existence,” he said.

Bhosale also said the state government must equally support and give permanent staff to the university so that it is in a better position to “cope” with the additional colleges which will come up in future.