Enrolment cut to worsen Mumbai University’s lack of funding

Mumbai: The University of Mumbai (MU) does not have enough fund and the reduction in enrolment in IDOL could worsen the problem, said sources. Due to the dropping rate of enrolment, there will be further lack of funds at the varsity. The average fee collected from an IDOL student is Rs 5,000 per annum. Since there are fewer students this year, the funds generated through fees will be less.

There are around 35 courses at IDOL and their fees start from Rs 5,000 to Rs. 15,000, depending on their courses. However, because of less admission this year, the enrolment has dropped by 50 per cent, which is another big loss for the University. Vaibhav Narawade, secretary of Mumbai University and College Teachers Association (MUCTA) said, “The committee which decided to change the company managing the online admission is responsible for this big loss of the University. We will be losing more than Rs 20 crore by this fall of which is no joke as we already lack funds!”

According to another professor of MU, the lack of funds is indirectly affecting the teaching and non-teaching staff of the University as these funds are importantly used to pay these staff members. “We will be either paid half or nothing! The lack of funds are eventually our headache as it is our bread and butter,” said the professor.

An official at the account department of the varsity stated that they did not have enough funds to pay to the professors. MU being an autonomous body, reportedly gets very less funds from the state and centre.