Maharashtra Universities may be divided into smaller groups

Maharashtra could soon have more autonomous educational institutes and an integrated professional information technology networking system to function in accordance with each other.

But, this globalised pattern of varsity functioning will be possible only after recommendations of the two committees set up to work on creating a new Maharashtra University Act and the plan to divide universities in smaller  groups for effective functioning are taken into consideration.

“The recommendations by these expert committees are strong and welcoming. Soon, the recommendations should be in practice to empower and develop the state university educations. I will try to get the recommendations passed by the cabinet so that they are implemented by July 2012,” said Rajesh Tope,

Maharashtra state higher and technical education minister.
The department had formed three committees under the chairmanship of educational experts — Dr Anil Kakodkar, Dr Arun Nigavekar and Dr Ram Takwale. While the Kakodkar committee submitted its report to the state in August 2011; other two panels presented their recommendations on Wednesday.

The committee headed by Dr Nigavekar presented its report on the recommendations for the New Maharashtra Public University Act, 2011, the panel headed by Dr Takwale presented its recommendations for division of the big state universities for their effective functioning.

The Nigavekar committee report recommends encouraging autonomy for faster development and to sustain quality. It also proposed creation of the Maharashtra State Commission for Higher Education and Development (MAHED), which will act as an independent legal entity with appropriate and adequate autonomy and will link all autonomous bodies. The MAHED, which would be funded by the state, will be run by academicians, scientists, technocrats and industry experts.

Besides recommending the formation of 26 new universities by 2015, the Takwale committee supports the Nigavekar panel recommendation of encouraging autonomy and connecting different bodies with professional technological networking.

The Takawale committee report said: “Instead of one university bearing the entire load, there could be district-wise sub-centres of all big varsities.”

“Though these sub-centres will work as autonomous bodies, they will work under the parent body – the big public university. We have recommended an apex advisory-cum-supervisory council, under which the district-wise sub-centres will create their own syllabi and courses according to the local industry needs to provide job opportunities to students,” said Dr Takwale.