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Inquiry Launched into Sydenham College’s Course Outsourcing Practices
MUMBAI: Sydenham College is facing scrutiny after allegations surfaced regarding the outsourcing of its courses to private entities. This practice reportedly involves running high-fee programs on campus while simultaneously reducing funding for aided programs. The state government has initiated an inquiry following a complaint that two self-financed programs, which could generate approximately Rs 11 crore annually, have been operating for years using government-funded infrastructure. An inquiry panel has been established to investigate these claims.
The FinTech course chargesRs 2.05 lakh per student, while Luxury Brand and Retail Management costs Rs 3.08 lakh, according to the complainant. Based on an intake of 72 students in each year of both programmes, the complainants estimate they could together generate about Rs 11 crore a year. The complainants have sought verification of whether these closures had university approval and complied with the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016.Admissions to the self-financed programmes have also been questioned, with allegations that reservation norms are not being followed. The complaint further questions the experience of the private entities, alleging that the key man had no prior experience in luxury and brand management, and ISFE was established only in June 2024, following which the course began at Sydenham.
Because sydenham, one of the state’s oldest govt colleges, has traditionally offered affordable aided programmes, it has sought scrutiny of how the fees are utilised and whether payments or financial benefits were made to college officials or private individuals.The controversy has sharpened.
He has been asked to submit his findings in a week,following which further course of action will be taken,” higher education director Shailendra Deolankar told TOI. “We have formed a three-member high-profile committee under the chairmanship of Mumbai University provice-chancellor Ajay Bhamare. The complaint alleges the programmes use Sydenham’s classrooms, electricity, library, laboratories, furniture, administrative staff and security, all funded by the state.