Mumbai University, don’t appease politicians: Vinod Tawde

Education minister Vinod Tawde on Monday lambasted the University of Mumbai for resorting to appeasement of politicians rather than doing its duty towards stakeholders. Reiterating his oft-repeated statement, Mr Tawde said that history has shown that whenever Rajabai Tower (referring to MU) has bowed to Mantralaya it has suffered losses and hence the varsity should have invited Nobel laureates rather than politicians to launch the 160th Foundation Day celebrations of the university on Monday at the Kalina campus.

While stressing on the duty of the university, Mr Tawde said there was an urgent need to inspire the students to undertake research and come up with innovations and that would be possible if award-winning scientists and academics were invited to share their experiences with the students. While welcoming the new courses that were launched by the university at the function, Mr Tawde said it was pertinent for the university to undertake new initiatives in its 160th year of existence and start a new chapter in its history.

On being asked about the financial problems being faced by the university due to the government’s failure to pay outstanding dues, the minister blamed the university authorities for the same. He said, “The problem has arisen due to dubious appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff by former vice-chancellors Dr B. Bhalchandra Mungekar and Dr Vijay Khole. The government has asked the university to come clean on the same, after which the dues will be settled. However, the university is dragging its feet and is not forthcoming with details of the appointments, hence the problem.”

Minister of state for higher education Ravindra Waikar, who was also present, commended the university for the installation of a 150-foot-high tri-colour and also unfurled the same along with Mr Tawde. “The tri-colour flies the highest among all universities in India but rather than basking in the achievement, the university has to raise its standard equivalent to the number of years it is celebrating for its existence. Being a graduate of the university, I want its name to be taken with reverence and respect rather than how it is being addressed now,” said Mr Waikar.

Dr Sanjay Deshmukh, the vice-chancellor of MU, while announcing the launch of the 160th year celebrations said that the installation of the tri-colour was the first step towards achieving greater heights and the university would try its best to live up to the expectations of all stakeholders. He also announced the launch of Friends of the University forum that would be formed through the alumni network of the university, which would be asked to contribute towards the uplift and betterment of the university. Dr Deshmukh was, however, unavailable to comment on the reprimand of the ministers.

The programme also saw the felicitation of former vice-chancellors of the university and the newly appointed vice-chancellor of SNDT Women’s University, Dr Sashikala Vanzari.