SPPU to start new courses in Nashik, Ahmednagar centres

PUNE: The Nashik and Ahmednagar centres of Savitribai Phule Pune University will now run a host of degree courses in various disciplines for the benefit of students from these areas, who are presently forced to travel to the Pune centre for education.

The courses include those in science and technology, commerce and management, mental science as well as skill development, among others. They will start from 2018-19 academic year and the SPPU is currently scouting for campuses where these courses could be started.

"I recently visited the sub-centre in Nashik and found that nothing except routine paper work happens there. A sub-centre needs to be more than a place to receive and send official correspondence, and hence we have decided to start courses there. We may even shift some faculties there for the same. But as of now, we will definitely start skill development courses," SPPU vice-chancellor NR Karmalkar said.

The skill development courses will be selected on the basis of the need of the area and local artisans or technology present. "Yeola in Nashik is famous for weaving Paithani silk. So, we may open something related to it there. Similar is the case with a course on processing of grapes. The idea is to start at least one masters course by next year along with skill development courses to benefit students of these areas," Karmalkar said.

Land will be purchased in the outskirts of both the cities for permanent structures. Meanwhile, the courses will start in buildings on rent.

Plan to lower passing marks in Law faculty

SPPU officials have proposed to lower the aggregate marks required to clear graduate law course to 40% from the existing 50%. "We are thinking of lowering the aggregate pass marks to 40% from 50%. A proposal is in motion and soon a decision will be taken," Karmalkar said.