Mumbai college teachers slam proposed universities Act

Updated on: Friday, January 27, 2012

Representatives of teachers and principals from Mumbai colleges have decided to frame a parallel draft of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act (MPUA), 2011. At a workshop to discuss the provisions of the proposed Act, teachers, principals and management organisations have unanimously opposed it. The MPUA 2011 report was recently submitted by a panel chaired by Arun Nigvekar.

The workshop was jointly organised by the Association of Non-Government Colleges (ANGC) and Bombay University and College Teachers’ Union (BUCTU) and association of managements of educational institutes in Maharashtra on Jan 21, 2012. BUCTU president, C Sadashivan, said, “The Act is framed in an undemocratic manner. Primary stakeholders like teachers, principals and college managements have not been given proper representation while formulating the Act.”

Minister of higher education, Rajesh Tope, said, “Representations from all stakeholders will be considered if their suggestions are feasible.”

The proposed Act changes the senate constitution. The new administrative body, Society Partnership Council (Soul), in place of the senate, termed by the Nigvekar report, will be the bridge between the university and various stakeholders. Sadashivan said most of the boards and officiating bodies which had elected members will be nominated members under the new Act, which hampers the democratic functioning of the university.
 
“The panel suggests that colleges with an A grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council should be recommended to the UGC for Colleges for Potential for Excellence. But there are ambiguities in the clause,” said Principal T A Shiware, president of ANGC. Sadashivan added, “We will request the government to form a panel to look into the proposed Act.”

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