High time for expansion Manipur University
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: July 07, 2022 -
IT is indeed heartening to learn that Union minister of state for education Dr Subhas Sarkar has acknowledged deficiencies in Manipur University and has advised the varsity's authority to send a reminder to the Union education ministry regarding establishment of a new campus, which if materialised, will naturally mean enhancement of necessary infrastructures.
As told to the media on Tuesday, his itinerary during the four-day state visit included an interaction session with students and faculty members of Manipur University, wherein Dr Subhas Sarkar was apprised about the need for expansion of infrastructures and maintain adequate strength of the faculties to accommodate the increasing number of students seeking higher education.
One of the factors for the spike in the number of student enrolment could be due to outbreak of the novel coronavirus that led to sudden closure of educational institutions, including universities across the country, forcing thousands of native students to return home and finally compete with the local students for admission in Manipur University as the Covid-19 showed signs of improvement.
The cost factor could be another reason for Manipuri students from ordinary financial background to forgo the aim of getting university education in more reputed institutions outside the state.
It is also possible that overall improvement in the law and order situation in the state coupled with MU's faculty members demonstrating their efficiency and professionalism encouraged both parents and students to view the varsity in a positive light, unlike in the past when controversies and disruptions used to be the hallmark of the university.
For instance, some six years back, MU hogged the limelight for all the wrong reasons, including the protracted agitations by students and teachers alleging administrative high-handedness and lack of interest of the then vice chancellor in bringing improvement to the university.
There were times when charges and counter-charges among the parties in dispute crippled the university and caused serious disturbance to its academic atmosphere, consequently compelling both the parents and the students to perceive MU as an unviable institute.
Discord over demand for increasing tribe/community-based reservation in admission also put the varsity in poor light that ultimately resulted in exodus of Manipuri students in pursuit of higher education to other states.
However, all seem calm today and the university appears competent enough to live up to the expectation of the students at the juncture.
Therefore, either the authorities concerned propose vertical expansion of the varsity or recommend establishment of a separate campus for there is no reason why the government would disregard any feasible projects.
As increase in the number of students automatically necessitates setting up of more hostels and ensuring adequate infrastructures, it is imperative that the MU authorities take Dr Subhas Sarkar's advice seriously and sent a reminder letter to the ministry concerned to address the issue of space crunch for expansion and development of additional infrastructure.
If the native students can't be ensured of an institution where they could acquire advanced knowledge and have access to modern-day instructional and research facilities, then it is obvious that upgrade of MU to a central university would serve no real purpose other than teaching and non-teaching staff enjoying higher salary.
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