Mumbai: In a move that could reshape the state’s higher education landscape, Maharashtra government has constituted a four-member committee to examine the feasibility of converting non-government aided colleges into private universities. The decision follows a growing number of representations from institutions seeking greater academic and administrative autonomy.
The committee, chaired by former vice-chairman of University Grants Commission Bhushan Patwardhan, has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive policy framework that weighs academic, financial, technical and administrative implications of such a shift. Officials said the panel is expected to submit its report within two months.
At the core of the panel’s mandate is the framing of eligibility criteria for aided colleges seeking university status, including benchmarks for academic performance, infrastructure and research output. It will also examine policy issues related to government land allotted to such institutions, and the status of salary grants, non-salary support and provident fund benefits for staff post-conversion.
The committee has also been asked to address concerns around employee consent, service conditions, and protection of seniority and rights of teaching and non-teaching staff. Importantly, it will recommend safeguards to ensure reservation for backward class students and regulate fees for general category students even after institutions transition to private universities.
