Headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Maharashtra State Commission for Higher Education and Development (MAHED) has given the approval to open around 550 new colleges in the state. According to the sources in the Higher education department, approximately 60 new colleges will be set up under the University of Mumbai.
University officials said that advertisement will soon be out seeking applications from interested parties to set up the colleges.
Moving Beyond Engineering Colleges
India is in the middle of an engineering education crisis. The no. of engineering colleges in India is becoming inversely proportional to the quality of education in these colleges. Except for prestigious institutes like IITs, most engineering colleges are unable to provide education to its students that would get them suitable jobs.
Thus, The Maharashtra Education Department urged the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to not approve the plans of any new engineering college due to many vacant seats observed in the engineering colleges this year. These new colleges will have professional courses and many other courses like naval architecture and marine engineering.
Focussing On Skill Development
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put huge leverage on Skill Development courses to enable a large number of Indian youth to take up industry-relevant skill training. He has also started PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana) Scheme to help people to secure a better livelihood.
In the new perspective plan of Maharashtra Education Board, there is an increased focus on skill development based on its industrial demand. The government has approved setting up of colleges for skill-based courses for the first time. An official from Higher Education Department said. “The universities have to set up goals and gauge the demand for courses in their areas before proposing new colleges.”
Plots have also been earmarked in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg for colleges offering skill-based courses. In addition, some colleges will be reserved for women students also.
