MU Introduces 15 New Skill-Focused Colleges

Empowering the Workforce: MU to Launch 15 Skill-Based Educational Institutions

According to the Human Development Report (HDR) 2020, hardly one in five Indians who are employed can be classified as “skilled”. India is ranked 129th out of 162 nations according to available data for the percentage of skilled workers in the country lands at a low 21.2%. Skill India Mission is a government initiative introduced in 2015 that encompasses numerous skill development initiatives to equip the nation’s youth with sufficient skills so that they can find work in relevant fields and increase production rates. Recently Telangana has started 10 new skilled centres and now the University of Mumbai (MU) has proposed to open 15 new colleges for the academic year 2025-26 in response to the increased demand for skill-based courses. Out of these 15 colleges, 13 will focus on skill-based education,  with traditional courses, conventional college courses, and an applied course.

At the special senate meeting on 20 July, the Maharashtra Public Universities Act prepared an Annual Comprehensive Plan for MU. Three of the proposed fifteen colleges Diva, Advali, Dhokali, and Bhiwandi Padgha will be located in the Thane district. Similarly, there are two colleges in the Ratnagiri district at Mandangad and Dapoli Nagar Panchayat Area; two colleges in the Sindhudurg district at Vengurla Parule and Kankavali; three colleges in the Palghar district at Kelve Mahim, Vasai Nalasopara, and Vikramgad Bandhanm. Furthermore, there is one applied college at Gawdevi Dongri Andheri and one traditional college in Bhiwandi.

Members of the senate expressed worries about the management of MU's examination section during the meeting. Students have been complaining about the section's handling of mark sheets, question paper confusion, and delays in the delivery of schedules and hall passes. A broader conversation among the senators was sparked when Sakharam Dakhore, a member of the Senate, emphasized that these concerns had been affecting students for the past few months. Members also brought up issues with incorrect question papers being sent for exams in the arts, commerce, and science streams. Director of the Board of Examination and Evaluation, Pooja Roundle tried to address these concerns but said that more research needs to be done. Dakhore suggested that hall passes will be distributed at least 10 days before the examination.

The postponement of the release of grades and results was a significant subject of conversation. Members brought up the fact that the MA English program's third-semester results were still pending while the fourth-semester exams were being administered. Other courses that were impacted by this problem included computer science, psychology, and tests of test improvement. The members were given assurances by the university administration that all investigations would be carried out and that prompt action would be taken to address the problems. Professors Jagannath Khembhav and Hanmantrao Sutar also brought up the topic of giving environmental studies as an elective in the new credit system that MU created by the New Education Policy (NEP). The academics both emphasized that the University Grants Commission (UGC) had mandated environmental studies as a required topic by the Supreme Court's ruling. The vice-chancellor of MU, Professor Ravindra Kulkarni, assured the senate that the required adjustments would be made to make the subject required once more. 

Editor’s Note: 

Skill India Initiative by the government of India pledged to generate a skilled workforce in coming years to improve the quality of work as only 2.7% of India’s workforce has received formal skill training, compared to 52% in the United States, 80% in Japan and 96% in South Korea. MU’s initiative to establish 15 new colleges focused on skilled-based education marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of higher education. By prioritizing practical training and industry relevance, the university is ensuring that its graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of the modern workforce and contribute meaningfully to society. 

Skoobuzz appreciates the forward-thinking approach of MU which underscores MU's commitment to innovation, excellence, and the future success of its students.