Pune: The fate of 5,000 students studying in Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) University outside Maharashtra is under a cloud for now after the University Grants Commission (UGC) sent a notice to SNDT University to withdraw the affiliation given to the colleges outside the state. The letter said it has come to the notice that SNDT has granted affiliation to beyond territorial jurisdiction. 

And also affiliation colleges in Gujarat, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The students are enrolled under regular mode and degrees are awarded by the university. 

It stated that as per present policy of UGC, state universities cannot set up their off-campus or study centre outside the State where they have been established and cannot affiliate any institution outside their territorial jurisdiction. Franchising of higher education is not at all permissible as per the UGC policy. 

Around 5,000 students from colleges in Gujarat, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are enrolled at SNDT Women’s University. 

Speaking to Sakal Times, Registrar of SNDT Women’s University, Sanjay Bharambe said, “This university was established in the year 1916, even before UGC was formed.

Since then we have been providing affiliation to several colleges in different states. Nevertheless, in all state public university acts, SNDT Women’s University had a separate clause which mentioned that it can continue to provide these facilities to the respected colleges. Moreover, our service also has a precondition, that college outside Maharashtra have to showcase a no-objection certificate from their state to avail our facility.” 

Chapter XIII of Maharashtra Public University Act, 2016 has special provisions for SNDT Women’s University, under Section 137 (5) the university may, in the interest of women’s education, start or conduct a college or research institution in any territory outside the State of Maharashtra, with the approval of the government concerned. 

“The university will be giving the reply to UGC letter clarifying on our practice. If despite this, UGC objects on the continuation then we will move court to seek justice,” added Bharambe.