Hope for a more academic Students Union in MU
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: November 15, 2014 -

Manipur University Students Union (MUSU) election on Nov 12 2014 :: Pix - Shanker Khangembam

After a brief respite for around five years, the elected students body of Manipuri University is set to be functional from this academic year with the elections held on November 12 last.

There have been allegations of deterioration of academic environment in the Manipur University since its becoming a Central University in the Year 2005.

Various academicians of the state had observed that Manipur University has given priority to infrastructure development sidelining the academic growth of the highest academic institution in the state.

The provision of huge amounts of money for the development of the institution has reportedly invited a number of contractors and suppliers to loiter in the academic campus and even intervene in the administrative activities of the university. Such allegations had hurt the university ranks and file.

Scams and scandals also hit the officers of the university since its becoming a central institution.

The University academic character was also severely maligned as the administrators of the academy go about with armed security guards.

Earlier, there were complaints from the students regarding the inconveniences caused by the security during their free entry into the campus.

Meanwhile, the students’ community of the state was on demand for revival of the democratic elected students union in order to restore the academic environment due to a university.

The students believed that the alleged maladministration and chaos in the university will be rectified with the elected students’ body.

Now, with the coming a new elected students’ body, the people of Manipur particularly the academic community may well hope for a revival of the true academic environment in the campus.

Among the endeavour to be taken up by the newly elected students’ body, mention may be made of the issue of students’ scholarships, proper maintenance of academic calendar, rectification of examination norms, and promotion of teachers as per guidelines.

The attention of the university authority may be diverted from infrastructure development like building constructions to academic improvement and production of quality scholars.

One most important effort which needs to be considered by the students’ community and the university administration is for establishment of a ‘North East Study Centre’ which is highly required not only for Manipur but also for the whole North Eastern states of India.

Even the University of Jamia Millia Islamia, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Kolkata University have already set up the north east study units, whereas the universities in north eastern India have not had such a Centre.

It is hoped that Manipur University will have a NE Study Centre for the first time in the north east with the commendable works of the Manipur University Students’ Union.

By taking up such admirable activities, the MUSU will have its worth of existence.