Through this questionnaire students can bring about a change in the introduction of new courses, establishment of new colleges, changes in academic curriculum and geographical issues about distance and accessibility of colleges
Mumbai: For the first time, students will have an opportunity to express their views, opinion and suggestions for academic, geographic and physical improvisations to the Mumbai University (MU). Students can give their recommendations for the five-year perspective plan of the MU for the academic years between 2018-19 and 2023-24.
Students can express their views online as the university will launch a questionnaire which students can answer as per their demands, wants and requirements. Through this questionnaire students can bring about a change in the introduction of new courses, establishment of new colleges, changes in academic curriculum and geographical issues about distance and accessibility of colleges.
Students revealed they often want to change a lot of things in the university but they do not have a say unless they are part of a student’s organisation.
Seema Kumar, a student said, “Many of us want to learn a particular course or a specific foreign language which is not present at the moment. Often, we find a college which is too far in terms of distance and there is a need for a division which is accessible. Such demands are raised by a majority of students, but we do not know how to suggest this to the university so that they can at least consider the need of students and start a course in the future.”
In addition, students claimed the ground level issues are faced and best known by them and teachers. Manish Zaveri, a student said, “Curriculum, syllabus or any kind of academic change directly affects us. We do not know how to approach the university unless we are part of some student’s organisation. We now have a chance to put our point forward and we hope our recommendations will be taken into consideration.”
The feedback of students will be considered by the university while drafting its final perspective plan which will then be sent to the state government for its approval. Leeladhar Bansod, public relations officer of MU said, “The questionnaire is being designed by a committee of 37 members including student’s representatives, teachers and educationists. The perspective plan will be open for recommendations from students, teachers, principals, stakeholders and public representatives.”
The perspective plan denotes the blueprint of MU for introduction of new courses, starting new divisions or colleges and expanding institutes.