Mumbai University to get another 63 new colleges

Mumbai University is likely to get 63 new colleges in the coming academic year across its jurisdiction.The total number of affiliated colleges will go over 800 once the new colleges get government sanction by June 15, increasing the burden on its already strained infrastructure.

Of these colleges 12 will come up in the Mumbai region and a similar number in Thane and Navi Mumbai put together. The Palghar region's share will be 15. Raigad and Sindhudurg too will have a few colleges.

While colleges in arts, science and commerce have reached saturation, with many seats across courses going vacant for the last three to four years, professional courses such as law and some innovative ones (self-financed) are gaining popularity. Enrolment in law courses have seen a jump of over 100% in the last five years.

But the state government is likely to give permission to only 11 law colleges in the university's jurisdiction. A principal said, "If more colleges want to set shop, the government may consider sanctioning more as there is a huge demand for law colleges."

Around 63 managements will be vying for the 11 colleges that will get sanction. One of the law colleges proposed for the Mumbai region will be exclusively for women.

“The perspective plan has been prepared taking into consideration several factors. The state will stick to the plan while giving sanction to new colleges. The application documents that have come from the state's universities will be scrutinized; the final nod will be given by the state by June 15." said an official of Higher Education Department.

Of the 63 proposed colleges, seven are for women. Seven night colleges are also planned. The new colleges will help the university to increase the gross enrolment ratio of students across the university. Additional manpower is required and new technologies for administration and end-to-end solutions for exams are needed for the colleges to function smoothly. The university is working towards achieving this target,” said another high ranked official.