No panel for non-aided colleges

The senate, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Arun Nigavekar, unanimously passed the resolutions to confer honorary D. Litt. on senior socialist G.P. Pradhan and noted Marathi writer Vyankatesh Madgulkar. Chancellor P.C. Alexander will confer the degrees at the university convocation on January 5.

Prof. Desai’s resolution said the committee should study the educational standards, stop exploitation of teachers and eliminate financial and educational corruption in non-aided colleges. “The recommendations of the committee should be implemented by the university in a time-bound manner,” the resolution said. Heated exchanges marked the over one-hour discussion.

Dr. Arun Dixit, member of the management council, agreed that the interests of students should be taken care of in such colleges and that the appropriate standard of education be maintained.

Dr. Vasant Pawar observed that the decision to permit non-aided colleges had led to the creation of Rs. 32,000 crore worth educational infrastructure in the State. Society needed more non-aided colleges, and given the limited resources available with the university this need had to be fulfilled, he said.

Speaking against the resolution, members said the demand for a committee should not be treated in isolation, as regulations were flouted in aided colleges too.

Earlier, the senate discussed adjournment motions moved by Dr. S.M. Bhave, Prof. Harish Desai and Prof. Dhananjay Kulkarni, on permission to bachelor of computer science (BCS) courses in new colleges by the State Government, although permission was rejected by the academic council earlier. The three described the exercise of its special power by the State as an in autonomy of the university.

Members opposing the motion said the university could do little in the matter after the permission orders were given by the State. They said there was tremendous demand for BCS course.

Saying that a watchdog committee would monitor the standard and infrastructure in the new colleges, the Vice-Chancellor said: “The university goal was to provide best education and facilities”.

During discussion on the single window system, Dr. Nigavekar clarified that a major portion of the capital used for implementation of the plan was still with the university in the form of computer hardware. It will be used for imparting computer training to the university staff.

Dr. Arun Dixit admitted that the plan was implemented before necessary groundwork in terms of imparting training to back-office staff. “Within a year, all major departments and offices will be computerised and computer-linked,” Dr. Nigavekar said. The meeting was interrupted for a few minutes by activists of Yuva Bharati led by Ramdas Marne, who barged into the hall and distributed pamphlets demanding immediate filling up of the post of registrar.