Pune: The future of approximately 350 colleges affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) hangs in the balance as they allegedly fail to meet the required infrastructural standards. The possibility of de-affiliation looms over these institutions, highlighting the need for immediate improvement.
Each year, colleges submit a bond to the university to address operational shortfalls. However, despite fulfilling this requirement, many institutions have failed to upgrade their overall infrastructure as mandated by the National Education Policy (NEP). In light of this, SPPU has decided to appoint an expert committee to assess the situation and determine the fate of these colleges. The decision was made during a recent academic council meeting, and the committee will be announced by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Suresh Gosavi in the coming days.
The colleges in Pune, Ahmednagar, and Nashik districts fall under the jurisdiction of SPPU. Numerous policy violations have been detected in the majority of these institutes. In accordance with the new education policy, colleges need to be evaluated based on the established criteria for affiliation.
The National Education Policy (NEP) emphasizes the establishment of group universities and the provision of autonomy to colleges. To achieve this, every college must possess adequate educational facilities and an appropriate number of professors.
“A significant number of colleges in the Pune district seek affiliation every year before the start of the academic year,” revealed a top official from SPPU on the condition of anonymity.
“To obtain affiliation, they are required to submit a bond of Rs 500 and commit to filling the positions of principals, professors, and staff within six months, along with providing educational and infrastructural facilities. However, the majority of these colleges fail to fulfill these obligations. As a result, the academic council members have decided to form a committee to evaluate these colleges and take necessary action,” the official stated.
The focus of the evaluation will be on poor infrastructure, including the lack of educational facilities, an insufficient number of faculty and staff, the absence of a full-time principal, and the absence of essential facilities such as laboratories, computer rooms, or libraries.
The formation of the expert committee demonstrates SPPU’s commitment to maintaining high educational standards and ensuring that affiliated colleges adhere to the guidelines outlined by the NEP. It is hoped that this assessment will serve as a catalyst for the improvement of these institutions, ultimately benefitting the students and the education system as a whole.
