To adopt e-Suvidha or not is a question of autonomy?

Updated on: Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The state government’s insistence on mandatory implementation of e-Suvidha scheme has cast a shadow over the ongoing online services initiative at institutions such as the University of Pune (UoP) and other deemed universities in the city.

A majority of services are already under implementation or in the process of being implemented at these universities.

The UoP has invested Rs 4.67 crore since 2008-09 on its ambitious Pune University Network (formerly triple connectivity) project that envisages an audio, visual and data connectivity, using ICT tools, between the UoP and its on campus departments, affiliated colleges and recognised institutions.

As part of the PUN, several initiatives stand completed, which includes, the UoP’s central web portal, online affiliation, online eligibility, online post-graduate admissions at campus departments, online migration process, compilation of teachers data, online/ offline session transmission and online elections.

The UoP data centre has been raised with six servers and online radio features have been added to the website of Vidyavani, which is the varsity’s FM radio service. One of the prime reasons that prompted the UoP administration, under then VC Ashok Kolaskar, to stay away from the e-Suvidha services was the apprehension that the varsity’s autonomy will go forever. It is an apprehension that has been described as baseless and unfounded by both, Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited MD Vivek Sawant and state director of higher education R V Kirdak. “Most universities haven’t invested much in online initiatives as it is evident from their inability to provide even elementary information sought by the government at regular intervals,” said Sawant. The question being raised is, will the government be able to compel the universities, deemed and autonomous institutions to sign the MoU with MKCL by May 15 for implementation of e-Suvidha?

Already there are murmurs of protest as Symbiosis International University’s vice chancellor Bhushan Patwardhan said, “I wonder in what capacity the state has issued the circular, considering that deemed universities fall under direct control of the University Grants Commission. Implementing such a scheme is a matter that concerns individual varsity’s autonomy as to whether to adopt or not. We will study the issue and take a position on the same.”

Deccan College director V P Bhatta, however, welcomed the initiative. “We have been following the government directives despite being a deemed university. We will continue to do so,” he said.

To adopt e-Suvidha or not is a question of autonomy?

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