M S University does not have a single counselling centre for students who come from across the country and even abroad. That too when over 31,000 students enrol here every year to study over 100 certificate and degree courses, and the university has plans to promote the varsity as an international centre of learning.
Ironically, the varsity is expected to submit its National Assessment Accreditation Council’s (NAAC), Re-accreditation Report (RAR) next week where amenities for students hold importance.
On Thursday, there was a clash between first year students of the Faculty of Commerce and the faculty administration after chaos ensued while they were depositing fees. Faculty of Commerce representative Raviraj Gaekwad told Newsline: “First year classes are taken at the unit building and the rest at Padra. But, lack of guidance for the first year students has created major trouble for those coming from distant areas for depositing fees. We have, therefore, set up our own helpdesks.”
While Faculty of Commerce Dean Prof A R Hingorani was unavailable to comment on how he will manage majority of the students, teachers from the faculty said that except few evening certificate courses, there has been no revival of course in the Faculty.
Elsewhere, in the Faculty, of Science, while the problem of managing a huge chunk of students has been solved, there are a few postgraduate courses such as Medico Botany and postgraduate course in disaster management — interesting combinations in Science— that have not found favour.
MSU Faculty of Science Dean Nikhil Desai said: “There are students from rural areas and other states who enroll here. However, their focus is without a direction, as 90 per cent of students want Chemistry as if there are no other subjects. There should be a counselling centre and work should be designated to a lecturer who is well acquainted with the faculty and can guide students accordingly. I will take up this issue.”
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