Mumbai university senate polls: Rivals collaborate, set to win unopposed

All principals and management representatives contesting elections for the MU senate will not face any opposition

Thanks to the collaboration between rival groups of teachers, graduates and principals together, the elections for the University of Mumbai (MU) senate are likely to held without much friction.

Senate is the principal authority for all financial estimates and budgetary appropriations and for providing social feedback to the university on current and future academic programmes. (Hindustan Times)

In an unprecedented situation, all the principals and management representatives contesting elections for the MU senate will not face any opposition. This is owing to the collaboration between two rival groups of principals of MU affiliated colleges — University of Mumbai College Principals’ Association (UMCPA) and Association of Non-government Colleges (ANGC). The two have submitted a unanimous list of nine principals to represent them in the senate. Similarly, representatives of college management also reached a consensus to field six candidates.

“Considering the delay in declaration of examination results and to minimise the problems faced by the university, the two principals' groups decided to jointly fielded candidates to support the university and rebuild its reputation. As a consequence, instead of wasting time on elections the senate can now focus on productive and positive working of the university,” read a statement from TA Shiware, chairman, ANGC.

Senate is the principal authority for all financial estimates and budgetary appropriations and for providing social feedback to the university on current and future academic programmes. It consists of the university office bearers and state government officials - known as ex-officio members, nominated experts and elected representatives of teachers, principals and college managements. For the past two years, MU has been working without a full-fledged senate.

The varsity received 10 nominations for the principals' constituency, including three candidates for four seats reserved for backward castes and two candidates for one seat reserved for female candidates. However, one of the principals, Marie Fernandes of Andrew's College, withdrew her nomination to pave way for an entirely unopposed election.

"I was representing a group of minority principals. But later I withdrew my nomination. The principals should work together towards a common good," she said.

The varsity had received 10 nominations for representatives of college management. However, according to two people familiar with the election process, four of them withdrew their nominations to allow for unopposed elections.

Deepak Mukadam, a nominee of chancellor to the senate, who was instrumental in bringing principals and management representatives together said that he is ready to mediate between teachers and graduates as well if they are willing to come to an agreement.