Maharashtra to get three cluster universities, will give students opportunities for higher education

Mumbai: Maharashtra may soon get three “cluster universities” as state education minister Vinod Tawde has sent a proposal for setting up of these varsities to the central HRD ministry under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a central scheme for reforming higher education in the state. A cluster university means one major institute will lead three institutions in its vicinity with the government desirous of providing higher education opportunities to students.

Among the proposed cluster universities, one is of HR College of Commerce and Economics, KC College, and Bombay Teachers’ Training College. The second is of KJ Somaiya College of Science and Commerce; KJ Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce; SK Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce; and Somaiya College of Arts, Science and Commerce. While the third cluster is of Elphinstone College, Institute of Science, Sydenham College of Commerce, and Government B.Ed. College.

The concept of cluster universities is to provide an opportunity to students to join higher education within the state; it is expected to improve the quality of state universities and colleges.