No new colleges this year: MU

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The University of Mumbai has decided to curb the opening of new colleges this year due to lack of enrolments in existing colleges under its jurisdiction. The decision was announced in the management council meeting that took place at the Fort campus on Wednesday. Statistics released in the perspective plan for the year 2014-15 by the University show that student enrolments in most of the 683 existing colleges is less than 60 per cent, as a result of which there is no need for new colleges.
Speaking about the decision, a management council member said that the issue did not find any objections among most of the members, however, one member protested against the decision saying that it was aimed at curbing the growth of the society by refusing new colleges.
“The statistics in the perspective plan shows that nearly all the colleges offering various courses in the six talukas that come under the jurisdiction of the University barely have an average student enrolment of 60 per cent. Based on this, the University could have decided that there was no need for new colleges this year,” said the management council member. The statistics updated upto August 31, 2012 show that colleges in Mumbai city, Mumbai suburbs, Raigad, Ratn-agiri, Sindhudurg and Thane have a dismal enrolment rate in almost all streams. Overall in the Arts stream, which include BMM and BSW, enrolment in all talukas is about 67 per cent. Additionally, the Comm-erce stream, which includes BAF, BBI, BFM and BMS, shows a better enrolment percentage. However with the exception of the traditional Commerce course that has 81.96 per cent, enrolment in the other courses is an average 62 per cent only.
Similarly, enrolments in the traditional Science stream across colleges in the six talukas is 61.41 per cent with the exception of Biotechnology, Nautical Science, Forensic Science and Home Science that have an enrolment of 76.56, 92.8, 88 and 93 per cent, respectively. Other science courses have 60 per cent or less enrolment. Statistics updated till August 31, 2013 show a much dreary scenario with enrolments in almost all the streams dipping by almost 10 per cent over the previous year. However, even as BCUD director Dr Rajpal Hande, who is responsible for releasing the statistics and reaching the conclusion for not having more colleges sanctioned was not available for comment, a senior official said that the University was looking to consolidate the existing education system as well as streamline the functioning of colleges. “While the University is looking to curb mushrooming of new colleges that offer existing courses, it is open to proposals from managements that want to start innovative and new age courses,” said the senior official.
Dr Naresh Chandra, pro-VC, MU said, “The proposal is not yet finalised as the process is yet not completed. The proposal and feedback from the management council, will be put before the the academic council after which the decision will be finalised.”