‘Tie-ups with foreign universities are being planned’

In an exclusive interview with DNA, Rajesh Tope, minister of higher and technical education talks reforms, tie-ups with foreign universities and online assessments with Kanchan Srivastava

What happened to your plans of getting a PhD?
I wanted to enrol in the University of Mumbai two years ago but due to the controversy around that, I dropped the idea. Then I appeared for the Pre PhD test, but couldnt go beyond that as I realised that research needs a lot of time and devotion which is not possible. Anyway, a PhD isn’t going to help my political career.

The NASSCOM report states that over one-fourth of engineers churned out from Indian universities are not employable.
Employability is an issue. We need reforms, for which we appointed three committees which had suggested many points of improvement like compulsory accreditation, stopping election of senate and appointing only nominated representatives. We had tied up with few foreign universities to run joint courses with the University of Mumbai. The students will get an affordable foreign education studying in Mumbai, from a foreign university. We have done MOU with Illinois University for agriculture and management courses. Canada’s Alberta University has been roped in for management courses. Kangan Institute of Australia has been roped in to provide training in vocational courses.

You have been vocal about the need for online assessment to speed up the assessment process. Has anything come of that?
We have seen presentations by many companies recently. They have been providing solutions to universities in Tamil Nadu, Andhra and others.

Unapproved teachers have been protesting for their approval in Maharashtra. When will the issue be resolve?
We understand their demands and we will resolve the issue soon. But to reimburse the salary since 1991, which teachers are demanding, would cost the exchequer Rs450 crore, which can not be resolved overnight.

Answers sheets are piling up as teachers have boycotted the assessment process. What is your strategy to provide timely results to students?
We have asked vice chancellors to convince teachers to call off the strike for students.

When will Maharashtra students be allowed to participate in union election like their counterparts in other states?
The matter is subjudice. The Supreme Court needs more clarification on the Lingdoh Committee’s report. There are two views on this issue. Academicians don’t want it but political parties want it.