The International Sports University at Balewadi has found itself on the University Grants Commission (UGC) default list, along with 420 other universities, for failing to appoint an ombudsperson to address student complaints. The UGC, through its secretary, Professor Manish Joshi, released the list highlighting the non-compliance of these institutions with the directive to have an ombudsperson in place by December 31, 2023. This list encompasses 18 universities in Maharashtra alone.
The UGC’s directive aimed at ensuring universities provide a designated mechanism for students to address their grievances, and the non-compliance has triggered scrutiny and consequences for the institutions listed.
Among the Maharashtra universities on the default list are:
- International Sports University, Balewadi, Pune
- Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Raigad
- Dr. Homi Bhabha State University, Mumbai
- Gondwana University, Gadchiroli
- Hyderabad National Collegiate University, Worli
- Konkan Agricultural University, Dapoli
- Maharashtra University of Health and Science, Nashik
- Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Science University, Nagpur
- Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai
- Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur
- Mahatma Agricultural University, Rahuri
- Maharashtra Agricultural University, Parbhani
- Punyashlok Ahilya Devi Holkar Solapur University
- Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati
- Smt. Nathibai Damodar Thackeray Women’s University, Mumbai
- Swami Ramanand Tirtha Marathwada University, Nanded
- Yashwantrao Chavan Open University, Nashik
These universities will now face the consequences of their omission from the UGC’s directive, highlighting the importance of addressing student concerns through the establishment of an ombudsperson.
