'Can the Govt protect the State if it can't even ensure the sanctity of DMU ?'
Govt has failed in managing a varsity : MP
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 12 2024: Expressing concern over the issues besieging Dhanamanjuri University (DMU), Lok Sabha MP (Inner MP) Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam questioned what the future of Manipur would be if the State Government cannot even ensure the sanctity of a State university.

Addressing the media held at his residence at Keishamthong today, Dr Bimol continued that Dhanamanjuri College which was established in 1946 and upgraded to university status some years back is one of the most revered educational institutions in the entire North East region.

'Can the Govt protect the State if it can't even ensure the sanctity of DMU ?'

Saying that DMU has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons lately, the MP added that the varsity hasn't conducted the third semester examination of its Master courses which was supposed to be held in December 2023 till today.

He also said that the fourth semester examination of DMU's Master courses was supposed to take place in May-June of 2024 .

Continuing that the class of the 4th semester also hasn't begun as of yet, Dr Bimol asked how the authority at the university is planning to hold the examinations of both the third and fourth semester simultaneously in August.

The Congress MP further said that the lapses at DMU will greatly impede the aspiration of many students to pursue Ph.D and do research at different universities.

Further stating that DMU hasn't conducted the final semester examination of different graduate courses and the same is a setback to students who are planning to pursue Master courses, he accused the State Government of ruining the career of students.

Dr Bimol maintained that he has been in the teaching profession at different universities including Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) since the last 30 years or so.

Saying that DMU was upgraded under RUSA in 2017 under DMU Act, he added that every university should be given autonomy and recruitment of staff should require only the approval of syndicate or executive council.

However, these rules don't apply at DMU and the varsity doesn't have a regular Vice Chancellor (VC), Registrar, faculty members and non-teaching staff, he said and added that bureaucrats from Department of University and Higher Education have been appointed as officials-in-charge of different posts and they don't attend the university regularly.

Further stating that DMU Act, 2017 was amended in March 2023, he added that the VC can occupy the post for three years as per the original Act and he/she can be in office for another year (maximum) until his/her successor is appointed.

Even after the amendment of DMU Act, the tenure of the VC cannot exceed more than five years and the Administrative Secretary of Department of University and Higher Education should be the VC-in-charge if the post is vacant, the MP explained.

Dr Bimol claimed that the Government has destroyed all the system and concept of running a university.

Saying that safeguarding the autonomy of a university is crucial to secure the future of Manipur apart from the career of countless students, he appealed to one and all to not brush aside the issue of DMU but lend a hand in protecting the university.

It won't be good for Manipur if the issues at DMU are not resolved, he cautioned.

Khundrakpam MLA Th Lokeshwar also attended the press conference.

He said that he and Dr Bimol have met the students of DMU who have been staging a hunger strike.

Saying that they have heard the grievances of the protesting students and it was heart rending, he asked why the State Government is trying to destroy the career of students.

The State Government should stop working on the whims of their Central leadership at New Delhi, he advised.

Appealing to all concerned to not do politics at educational institutions or issues pertaining to academics, the MLA asked the Government and the Education Minister to take all responsibility if something bad happens to the DMU students.