Tope bats for tech varsity,says less means better control

Higher and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Tope was all for a technological university in the state on Saturday.

Higher and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Tope was all for a technological university in the state on Saturday. We will sort out all issues related to setting up of the varsity before we table the proposal before Cabinet, he told Newsline on the sidelines of a function at a city college.

The government is considering a proposal for an independent technological university in the state to bring all engineering colleges under one umbrella. The idea was mooted last year as the state universities are facing serious problems in exerting control over the growing number of engineering colleges affiliated to them. However,the idea has hit a roadblock with some colleges not wanting to lose the tag of universities to which they are presently affiliated.

Tope said the idea of a technological university was very much alive and he would soon take it up with the Cabinet. There are some issues regarding losing brand name,but looking at the overburdened universities,it will be logical to have an independent umbrella for engineering colleges.

Tope also batted for the trifurcation of the University of Pune,saying it would lead to better quality. It has been suggested that the varsity,to which around 350 colleges and 250 recognised institutes are affiliated,should be split into three divisions — Pune,Ahmednagar and Nashik. However,colleges in Ahmednagar and Nashik are averse to the idea,as they will lose the UoP brand in the process.

Tope doesnt buy the argument. Ideally,any university should not have more than 250 colleges affiliated to it. It is necessary to split the bigger varsities to have better regulation over colleges,which will ultimately result in quality education.

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories