Ballarpur SNDT sub-centre to become modern education hub: Munganitwar

Major steps are being taken to equip the SNDT Women's University sub-centre in Ballarpur, Chandrapur district, with state-of-the-art facilities. MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar put forward several important suggestions at a meeting aimed at giving women students quality, modern education, new technology and access to global learning opportunities.

He demanded that Rs 7 crore be provided from an innovative scheme for works at the sub-centre. He also demanded a provision of Rs 5.50 crore to directly purchase, through negotiation, the private land needed for the building of the Government Polytechnic, Mul. He also took the initiative to have 62 courses at the university evaluated and upgraded to global standards.

A meeting on construction and development work at the SNDT University sub-centre premises was held under the chairmanship of MLA Mungantiwar. Principal Secretary of the Higher and Technical Education Department, Venugopal Reddy, attended the meeting. Also present were District Collector Vasumana Pant, Superintending Engineer of the Public Works Department Sonali Chavan, Director of the SNDT University sub-centre Rajesh Ingole, Deputy Registrar Balu Rathod, Executive Engineer Mukesh Tangle, Deputy Engineer Sanjog Mendhe and Executive Engineer (Electrical) Poonam Verma.

Mungantiwar suggested that the facilities at the SNDT Women's University in Ballarpur be given a modern look based on the concept of motherhood. He stressed improving infrastructure further so that women students get a safe and quality learning environment. He said that once the land is acquired, construction of the polytechnic building can proceed quickly and the facilities needed for students can be set up. He expressed confidence that the sub-centre would go on to become a major centre of education, skills and research, so that students in Ballarpur and across Chandrapur district get quality, world-class higher education.

Mungantiwar asked Principal Secretary Venugopal Reddy to hold a separate meeting in Mumbai to gather detailed information on the 62 courses at SNDT University and evaluate them. He emphasised that the courses should be revised keeping in mind their quality, the changing needs of industry, job opportunities and skills that will be required in future. He said this evaluation was necessary so that women students get not just a degree but modern skills, a research outlook and the ability to compete globally.

Mungantiwar also suggested that SNDT Women's University send proposals to sign memorandums of understanding with ten renowned universities worldwide, such as Oxford and Cambridge. He said this would give women students opportunities for academic exchange, research, innovation and connection to the global knowledge system.

Mungantiwar recently followed up in New Delhi with the Vice President and the Union Education Minister seeking central university status for SNDT Women's University, Mumbai. He expressed confidence that if this status is granted, it would open up major opportunities for the university's academic expansion along with research, infrastructure and global academic cooperation. It was also disclosed at the meeting that a detailed proposal on this had been sent to Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi.

The meeting was also given information on proposed and ongoing projects near the sub-centre, including an ESIC hospital, an SRPF camp and an AYUSH hospital. It was stated that these projects would strengthen education, health and social facilities in the area. After the meeting, Mungantiwar, along with Principal Secretary Venugopal Reddy, inspected the ongoing construction at the sub-centre premises in person and gave necessary instructions regarding funds, quality of construction and future requirements.