The University of Mumbai has convened a meeting of the chairmen of all Board of Studies to form Research Recognition Committee (RRC) on April 13 to clear the backlog of research proposals and guide approvals that has accumulated over a period of nine months. According to officials, the meeting has been long due and the university will try to get the proposals passed as soon as possible.
In January, The Asian Age had reported on how research had come to a standstill in the absence of RRCs. Former senate member of the university Sanjay Wairal had pointed out that hundreds of aspirants who had submitted their proposals were awaiting approval to start their research but the university was dragging its feet on the issue. “The RRC was disbanded on August 31, 2015 after the senate’s term came to an end. As the appointment of the new senate was postponed so was the formation of the RRC. The university had however said that it would set up the RRCs on a war footing but nothing came of it,” said Mr Wairal, accusing the university administration of lethargy.
However, on Saturday Dr M.A. Khan, registrar, MU, revealed that following demands for the same, the university had decided to call a meeting of all the chairmen of the various Board of Studies (BoS) on April 13. “A meeting has been called to discuss the issue and setting up of the RRC’s. Once the committees are formed we expect the proposals to be cleared as soon as possible,” said Dr Khan, adding that the meeting would also decide on the approval of new research guides.
Nearly 1,500 proposals for research projects and approval of 100 guides have been pending. Aspirants have been doing the rounds of the university to find out the status of the proposals and whether they can start work on their research projects. The meeting will put an end to the wait and ensure that research is restarted.
