HIGHER EDUCATION: Many institutes look for alternatives like autonomous status in deciding syllabus

Most of the proposals for deemed-to-be-university status from Maharashtra have been on hold for a long time now and are not expected to get cleared soon following the decision of the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) to review the deemed universities in the country. Some of the institutes in the queue are now exploring other ways like acquiring autonomous status to at least design their own syllabus.

As many as 24 proposals from Maharashtra, of which 11 are from Pune, are pending with the UGC for the final clearance. As per the status report on its website, most of these proposals have been sent to the MHRD and are awaiting a final nod. But, the MHRD has put brakes on the whole process in a bid to detect malpractices, if any, during the past five years.

“Despite having the requisite academic performance and infrastructure and completing all formalities, our proposal has been stuck for two-three months,” said Gajanan Ekbote, executive chairman of Progressive Education Society, a 75-year-old institute in the city.

Rahul Karad, executive director of Maharashtra Institute of Technology, that is celebrating its siver jubilee year also echoed the concern. The institute had sent the proposal for deemed-to-be status two years ago, hoping to get it in its silver jubilee year at least. “It should have been done faster, but I think now it will gain momentum as the new HRD minister is positive on awarding the deemed-to-be-university status to institutes with academic excellence,” he said.

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