Maharashtra to Amend DBATU Act, Allow Colleges to Switch Affiliations
The Maharashtra government plans to amend the DBATU Act, enabling colleges to affiliate with different universities based on location.
Colleges can now choose to leave DBATU for other institutions.
The amendment addresses complaints about examination management and result delays.
The bill is expected to be introduced in the upcoming winter assembly session.
In a significant policy shift, the Maharashtra government is preparing to amend the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University (DBATU) Act. This change will permit affiliated colleges to either seek affiliation with another university or revert to their original institution. This decision comes in response to ongoing complaints regarding examination processes, delayed results, and insufficient administrative support.
DBATU, established in 1989, was designated as the primary public university for technical education in the state. In 2014, it became the umbrella institution for all technical colleges, making affiliation mandatory for new colleges since 2017-18. However, the state has faced mounting pressure from stakeholders who have expressed dissatisfaction with the university's management, prompting the government to reconsider the affiliation requirements.
The proposed amendment will be the first of its kind for a public university in Maharashtra, allowing colleges to affiliate based on geographical considerations. For example, new engineering and pharmacy colleges in Mumbai will have the option to affiliate with Mumbai University instead of DBATU. Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil emphasized that the decision to amend the Act is a response to political and public demand for greater flexibility in college affiliations.
Currently, DBATU oversees 437 affiliated colleges, with a significant concentration in Nashik and Pune. Many of these institutions are pharmacy colleges that have emerged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns have been raised by college principals regarding the university's examination practices, particularly the delays in results and issuance of mark sheets, which have adversely affected students.
The upcoming winter assembly session will see the introduction of the amendment bill, which aims to provide a solution to the ongoing issues faced by technical colleges. Despite the challenges, the government remains optimistic about improving the university's reputation and focusing on its development as a research hub, with officials reporting that over 90% of summer session exam results have already been released.
