Progressive Education Society (PES), a prominent educational trust in Maharashtra, is setting its sights on achieving cluster university status after two of its colleges were granted autonomous status by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The UGC has conferred autonomous status on the Modern College of Engineering for a period of ten years, and the Modern Institute of Business Management (MIBM) for five years.
Gajanan Ekbote, the Chairperson of PES, emphasized how the colleges align with the National Education Policy 2020 and expressed optimism about attaining the status of a cluster university in the near future.
PES oversees a network of more than 56 educational institutions, including schools and colleges across Maharashtra, with several located in Pune, such as Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Ganeshkhind and Modern College of Commerce and Computer Studies in Nigdi.
Ekbote shared his vision, stating, “In line with our name, which embodies ‘progressive’ and ‘modern,’ we intend to pursue cluster university status. This offers various advantages, such as resource sharing, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration among students and faculty, and promoting holistic skill development.”
While Modern College of Engineering and MIBM will maintain their affiliation with Savitribai Phule Pune University, their autonomous status will grant them greater freedom in curriculum design, conducting examinations, evaluation, and administration.
The Maharashtra government unveiled draft guidelines in June, encouraging the formation of cluster universities by pooling resources and expertise from high-performing colleges under eminent trusts, societies, or Santhas within the state.
As per the draft guidelines, 2-5 institutes under a single management or different managements within a 25 km physical proximity can collaborate to establish a cluster university, subject to certain criteria. Some educationists questioned the limit of five institutes and the 25 km proximity requirement.
In a similar vein, the Deccan Education Society, which oversees institutions like Fergusson College and Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce, has also announced its intentions to develop a cluster university in the near future.
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