Maharashtra varsity disaffiliates 75 health colleges

Updated on: Saturday, July 30, 2011

Seventy-five health science colleges plagued by staff shortage have been shown the door by the state university. Most of those disaffiliated are nursing (26), five are dental and 15 are homeopathy institutes.

The Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) conducted random inspections at 10 colleges after students complained in May that many affiliated colleges did not have staff and facilities.

"We found that 120 colleges did not have enough staff. We served them notices and gave them 15 days to fill vacant positions," said MUHS vice-chancellor Dr Arun Jamkar.

MUHS, unlike its older counterparts (Mumbai and Pune universities) was formed in 1994 as a specialized university for health science colleges. While universities in Mumbai and Pune operate out of a geographical jurisdiction cut out by the state government, MUHS is course specific. It conducts exam and awards degree to medical, dental, nursing, ayurveda, physiotherapy and homeopathy students, except those in deemed universities.

Colleges affiliated to MUHS have been increasing over the years and nursing institutes make up the largest section with 285 colleges. "After the notice, 45 colleges filled up staff positions. Of the remaining 75, some do not even have 20% staff," added Jamkar.

The colleges were disaffiliated after the academic council decided to get tough with them on Thursday. Put together, they have an approximate student strength of 6,000. A local inspection committee will visit campuses after a week, to check if managements are making efforts to fill up the posts, MUHS officials said.

"We will give some colleges additional time to recruit teachers, keeping the fate of students in mind," added Jamkar.

Times of India

Maharashtra varsity disaffiliates 75 health colleges

More Education news