MUMBAI: Not a single postgraduate course at the once premier Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) is accredited by National Board of Accreditation (NBA).
The 137-year old institute, which is aspiring to be a university soon, also does not have accreditation for some of its undergraduate programmes. About three years ago, NBA did not give accreditation to one of its popular BE (mechanical) programmes too.The reason: The premier institute does not have enough teachers at professor rank. As state govt has not processed promotions for 10 years, the institute has only 7 professors against the requirement of 30.
VJTI’s current governing board has recently set up a committee to explore the possibilities of becoming a university on the lines of COEP Technological University. The status will bring in more autonomy, flexibility in their programmes and open new avenues for funding as well. Though state may still grant the university status based on the detailed project report the institute submits, even in the present condition, unaccredited programmes remain a matter of concern for students and teachers.
“Lack of accredited programmes not only has an overall impact on the institution, it also affects students’ opportunities in higher education institutions abroad,” said a teacher. He added a lot of emphasis is given to accreditations world over and some students are facing rejections.
The institute has several eligible candidates for the post of professors. However, the new regulations drafted by state govt to implement Career Advancement Scheme in 2022 -through which promotions are granted to eligible candidates (from assistant professor to associate professor and associate professor to professor)-has been stayed by Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal’s Nagpur bench. Teachers said the situation is similar in most govt engineering colleges in state, including COEP.
A govt official, though, said they have been trying to expedite the issue in the tribunal. “The govt has already given permission for new appointments for the time being. The institute can make use of COEP framework and draft its plan for the university status, which can be looked into by the department,” said the official.
The 137-year old institute, which is aspiring to be a university soon, also does not have accreditation for some of its undergraduate programmes. About three years ago, NBA did not give accreditation to one of its popular BE (mechanical) programmes too.The reason: The premier institute does not have enough teachers at professor rank. As state govt has not processed promotions for 10 years, the institute has only 7 professors against the requirement of 30.
VJTI’s current governing board has recently set up a committee to explore the possibilities of becoming a university on the lines of COEP Technological University. The status will bring in more autonomy, flexibility in their programmes and open new avenues for funding as well. Though state may still grant the university status based on the detailed project report the institute submits, even in the present condition, unaccredited programmes remain a matter of concern for students and teachers.
“Lack of accredited programmes not only has an overall impact on the institution, it also affects students’ opportunities in higher education institutions abroad,” said a teacher. He added a lot of emphasis is given to accreditations world over and some students are facing rejections.
The institute has several eligible candidates for the post of professors. However, the new regulations drafted by state govt to implement Career Advancement Scheme in 2022 -through which promotions are granted to eligible candidates (from assistant professor to associate professor and associate professor to professor)-has been stayed by Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal’s Nagpur bench. Teachers said the situation is similar in most govt engineering colleges in state, including COEP.
A govt official, though, said they have been trying to expedite the issue in the tribunal. “The govt has already given permission for new appointments for the time being. The institute can make use of COEP framework and draft its plan for the university status, which can be looked into by the department,” said the official.