Mumbai University To Establish 15 New Colleges To Boost Skill-Based Education; Check New Branches Here

In response to the growing demand for skill-based courses, Mumbai University has proposed to establish 15 new colleges for the academic year 2025-26. Out of these, 13 will focus on skill-based education, one will offer a traditional course, and one will be a conventional college with applied courses.

MU's Annual Comprehensive Plan, prepared under the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, was approved during a special senate meeting on Saturday.

Photo Credit: PTI

The proposal includes three new colleges in Thane district (Diva, Advali, Dhokali, and Bhiwandi Padgha), three in Raigad district (Pen Vadkhal, Roha Nagothane, and Murud Raigad), two in Ratnagiri district (Mandangad and Dapoli Nagar Panchayat Area), two in Sindhudurg district (Kankavali and Vengurla Parule), and three in Palghar district (Kelve Mahim, Vasai Nalasopara, and Vikramgad Bandhanm). Additionally, there will be one traditional college in Bhiwandi and one applied college in Gawdevi Dongri, Andheri.

During the senate meeting, members expressed concerns about the administration of MU's examination section, which has been the subject of student complaints due to delays in issuing mark sheets, confusion in question papers, and delays in sending hall tickets and timetables. Sakharam Dakhore, a senate member, highlighted that students have been affected by these issues for several months, prompting a wider discussion among the members. The university administration addressed these concerns and assured that measures would be taken.

Dakhore suggested that hall tickets should be distributed at least 10 days before examinations. Additionally, members pointed out issues with incorrect question papers being sent for exams in the arts, commerce, and science streams. Pooja Roundle, director of the Board of Examination and Evaluation, attempted to address these concerns but stated that further investigation would be necessary due to time constraints.

The delay in issuing mark sheets and results was another major topic of discussion. Members pointed out that the third-semester results of the MA English programme were still pending even as the fourth-semester exams were conducted. This issue also affected other subjects, including psychology, computer science, and marks improvement tests. The university administration assured the members that all inquiries would be conducted, and immediate measures would be taken to resolve the issues.

Another issue raised in the meeting by Professors Jagannath Khembhav and Hanmantrao Sutar was the status of environmental studies as an optional subject in the new credit system designed by MU as per the New Education Policy (NEP). Both professors pointed out that, according to a Supreme Court order, the University Grants Commission (UGC) made environmental studies a compulsory subject.

Professor Ravindra Kulkarni, vice-chancellor of MU, assured the senate that necessary changes would be made to ensure that the subject is offered mandatorily again.