Mumbai University
Officials claimed that over 90% of the results of exams conducted in the summer session have already been announced. Mumbai: Maharashtra govt is set to amend the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University (DBATU) Act, allowing affiliated colleges to leave the university and seek affiliation with another institution based on geographical location or return to their parent university. The proposed change marks a shift from the original vision for DBATU in Lonere, Raigad, as Maharashtra’s sole public university dedicated to technical education. The idea is to focus on building the university as a research centre, added the officials.
Set up in 1989, DBATU was made the umbrella university for all affiliating technical colleges in 2014 through an amendment to the Act. And since 2017-18, affiliation with DBATU has been mandatory for all newly established technical colleges in the state offering engineering, pharmacy, management and architecture courses. It was optional for colleges established before 2017-18.
Following repeated complaints from stakeholders over the conduct of examinations, delayed results and inadequate manpower, the state is planning to amend the DBATU Act to remove the mandatory affiliation clause for new colleges, allowing them to affiliate with universities based on their geographical location. The existing ones will also be given a choice if they wish to leave. The amendment allowing colleges to de-affiliate is a first for any public university in the state. A principal of a college affiliated to DBATU cited the conduct of examinations, persistent delay in the announcement of results and marksheet issuance as major problems for the students from the technological university.