The current mess that the University of Mumbai finds itself in, is not an overnight phenomenon, but one needs to turn back the years to understand the exact cause of the problem, as well as ascertain where and when the rot set in. This, however does not negate the contribution of the existing officials in escalating the decline in the functioning of the University.
Flawed policy and money-minting racket:
Former University officials, while analysing the slow, but steady decline of the MU, ascribe it to the unplanned growth and colleges being given a free hand in policy decision. “The period of decline can be restricted to the past decade,” said a former official, who is now retired. He added that while the University grew in a planned manner in the initial part of the decade, the downfall started soon after college and institution managements realised that higher education was in fact a huge opportunity for business.
“As per market and job requirements, the University decided to permit colleges to introduce information and technology courses in a phased manner. But as the government had refused to fund the courses, the colleges were allowed to charge fees as per their own judgment,” said the official.
This free-hand in charging fees at will, soon became an avenue to make profits and hence, while the number of colleges permitted to offer IT courses in 2002 was only 25, it doubled in two years and quadrupled in five years.
Shortage of staff:
The MU also distributed affiliations liberally, as a result of which the number of colleges affiliated to the University rose from 380 in 2002 to 654 in 2011.
College managements also saw professional courses like marketing,finance, insurance among others as an opportunity to make fast money and hence, sought permissions from the University and the government, which were granted to them without much ado. In the process the student base also went up from 3.5 lakh in 2002 to 6.3 lakh in 2011,which meant more students appearing for exams and more exams to be scheduled.
However, what remained unchanged in the University was its workforce.
This meant that the staff that managed to complete examination or administration related work of 3.5 lakh students, was now doing it for 6.3 lakh students. “Results used to be delayed before 2002, but results were never delayed beyond 60-75 days,” said the official.
Today, results for some exams wherein a huge number of students
appear, are declared only after 75 days. Revaluation results have a waiting period of 45-180 days depending on the faculty.
When asked about the same, a former vice-chancellor said that the need of the hour was to study the capacity of the University and to do a feasibility study that would highlight the problems that it was facing. “Neither the government, nor the University thought of it and hence, the bubble burst,” said the VC.
Politicisation of education:
Another reason for the decline in the standards of the 150-year-old University has been the political influence in filling up of the posts of VC, pro-vice-chancellor (PVC), registrar and director Board of College and University Development.
“It is a known fact that while the VC is appointed by the chancellor after following a process of having a search committee that shortlists the names of eligible candidates after interviewing them and checking their qualifications as per the statutes of the Maharashtra University’s Act of 1994, the final decision of who the VC will be, is in the hands of the ruling party,” said another senior University official.
Controversial VC:
While previously appointed VC’s like Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar, Dr Vijay Khole and Dr Chandra Krishnamurthy in the past decade could have been the doings of the ruling party, these individuals were academicians or administrators who rose to the rank of VC through their qualifications. The same cannot be said about the current VC Dr Rajan Welukar whose credentials are currently under judicial scanner.
According to MU sources, the VC has been so concerned about the
various cases and their progress in the courts that he seldom has the time to pay full attention to University related issues. Proof of the same can be gauged from the fact that he had not bothered to appoint a PVC or a full time registrar when the position became vacant.
“The VC reaches the university only after 11 am or 12 noon and then leaves for undisclosed periods of time only to return in the evening.
This disappearance is attributed to Dr Welukar’s visits to his lawyers who are taking care of the court cases. In fact, in the past six months it is said that Dr Weluar changed four lawyers,” a senate member in the MU claimed.
According to the senate member, the fact that he has not been present for the 10.30 am national anthem that all Fort campus employees have to compulsorily attend, was proof of him reaching the campus after 11 am.
The chancellor K. Sankaranarayanan has also received numerous
representations for the VC’s removal. It has been alleged that Dr Welukar is now visiting political leaders to save his seat. But rather than knocking the doors of politicians, Dr Welukar should get down on the field and visit the staff and departments, and think of a solution.