The University of Mumbai has spelt out the norms that colleges have to adhere to, to be eligible for continuation of affiliation as well as increase in number of courses being offered and divisions to
The University of Mumbai has spelt out the norms that colleges have to adhere to, to be eligible for continuation of affiliation as well as increase in number of courses being offered and divisions too. According to officials the intention is to ensure that colleges, even those working in two shifts, have the requisite infrastructure and do not exploit students. This could be a major blow to many colleges in the city that have increased divisions without conforming to the norms.
Speaking about the guidelines for existing and new colleges, Dr Abhay Pethe, one of the members of the panel that prepared the perspective plan for the year 2016-17 said the previous perspective plans had become a routine activity for the university and there was no vision in the making of the plan. “The procedure of sanctioning new colleges, courses and divisions had become a chore and no thought was given to future benefits and implications. While the rules were present the implementation was lacking. The panel has tried to address the problem and have a holistic approach to be in tune with the plan,” said Dr Pethe.
Some guidelines the university plans to implement and could get colleges in trouble include having proper student/teacher ratio, proper classroom and infrastructural facilities and having sufficient occupancy of seats before being granted additional divisions or courses. Some of the other measures include restriction of divisions in colleges to four in municipal corporations and municipal council areas and two in areas other than municipal corporation and council areas.
