After the removal of Vice-Chancellor Sanjay Deshmukh, University of Mumbai is yet to establish functional governing bodies. The process for setting up the senate, academic council, management council, boards of studies, board of examination, research and recognition committee, is yet to start even as the November 30 deadline approaches fast.
MUMBAI UNIVERSITY –THE SITUATION
As per the new Maharashtra Public Universities Act, these bodies will have nominated as well as elected members appointed to them. Currently, the university is functioning with ad hoc bodies since the state government dissolved all governing bodies of universities in August 2015.
The university had kick-started the process for appointing new governing bodies on June 1, 2017, when registrations for the election processes began. University graduates could register themselves for the elections between June 1 and 30. Teachers, principals and management representatives could register between June 5 and July 4. A final electoral list was to be declared on July 25 and elections were likely in August.
WHAT WENT WRONG
However, the results mess following the on-screen assessment took priority and the election process was stalled. An official from the electoral committee told The Indian Express that the process for conducting elections is yet to start and the November 30 deadline may not be achieved.
The absence of a full-time Vice-Chancellor or Registrar has only added to the woes as officials said the delay in the elections had been on account of the confusion over senior management positions.
However, officials from the state higher and technical education department confirmed that no requests for extension of dates had been received from the university so far adding that extension was unlikely.
