MU approves 22 new colleges; most in Thane, Palghar, Raigad

Most of the colleges are in Thane, Palghar and Raigad regions, said university officials.

The management council of the University of Mumbai (MU) on Friday approved 22 new colleges for the academic year 2019-20, out of which less than five are located within Mumbai.

The management council of the University of Mumbai (MU) on Friday approved 22 new colleges for the academic year 2019-20, out of which less than five are located within Mumbai. (Pratik Chorge/HT Photo)

Most of the colleges are in Thane, Palghar and Raigad regions, said university officials.

While MU’s council members approved most of the proposals, some members protested against the launch of a new law college in Mumbai.

“Law colleges are already struggling to find appropriate faculty and the students are suffering. For the time being, we have opposed the proposal for new law colleges,” said Pradeep Sawant, one of the members.

In 2016, the state allowed 24 degree colleges to be set up under the University of Mumbai, including 10 law institutes.

In February last year, the state had issued letters of intent (LOIs) to educational trusts which had applied to set up these institutes, giving them a go-ahead.

These trusts were given time till January 31 this year to meet the norms related to infrastructure and faculty, so that classes can start by the coming academic year.

The varsity’s perspective plan for 2018-19 — a document that charts its expansion path — had 62 slots for new colleges, 15 of which were added by the state.

However, it later decided to issue letters of intent (LOIs) to only 22 of them.

“These institutes only had to meet the norms and then apply again for final approval. All 22 of these colleges managed to do so and with this final approval are eligible to start admissions in 2019-20,” said another member from the council, requesting anonymity..