Munganitwar seeks Rs 7 crore for Ballarpur SNDT sub-centre upgrade
A review meeting chaired by MLA Sudhir Munganitwar has sought funds to upgrade the SNDT Women's University sub-centre at Ballarpur in Chandrapur district
The state government is taking steps to turn the SNDT Women's University sub-centre at Ballarpur in Chandrapur district into a major centre of modern education. A review meeting was held recently chaired by MLA Sudhir Munganitwar and attended by Venugopal Reddy, principal secretary of the higher and technical education department.
The meeting sought Rs 7 crore in funding under an innovation scheme for state-of-the-art works at the sub-centre. It also suggested a provision of Rs 5.50 crore to purchase, through direct negotiation, private land needed for the building of the Government Polytechnic at Mul. The meeting also laid special emphasis on evaluating the university's 62 courses to bring them up to global standards and on signing memoranda of understanding with foreign universities.
The meeting was attended by district collector Vasumana Pant, superintending engineer of the public works department Sonali Chavan, SNDT university sub-centre director Rajesh Ingole, deputy registrar Balu Rathod, executive engineer Mukesh Tangle, deputy engineer Sanjog Mendhe and executive engineer (electrical) Poonam Verma.
Munganitwar suggested that the facilities at the sub-centre be given a modern and innovative form based on the concept of motherhood. He emphasised raising the standard of infrastructure so that women students get a safe and quality educational environment. He said that once the land is acquired, construction of the polytechnic building would move ahead quickly and the facilities needed for students would be put in place. Munganitwar expressed confidence that the sub-centre would in future develop into a major centre for education, skills and research, so that women students from Ballarpur and the rest of Chandrapur district get access to world-class higher education.
Munganitwar asked Venugopal Reddy to hold a separate meeting in Mumbai to gather detailed information on the 62 courses and evaluate them. He stressed that the courses need to be revised keeping in mind the changing needs of industry, employment opportunities and future skills. He noted that this evaluation is important so that women students get not just a degree but modern skills, a research outlook and the ability to compete globally.
Munganitwar also suggested that SNDT Women's University send proposals for memoranda of understanding to ten renowned universities worldwide, including Oxford and Cambridge. He said this would give women students the opportunity for academic exchange, research, innovation and connection with the global knowledge system.
Munganitwar recently followed up in New Delhi with the vice president and the union education minister seeking central women's university status for SNDT Women's University, Mumbai. He expressed confidence that this status would bring major opportunities for the university's academic expansion as well as for research, infrastructure and global academic collaboration. It was also disclosed that a detailed proposal on this has been sent to union education minister Pralhad Joshi.
The meeting also gave information on the proposed and ongoing ESIC hospital, SRPF camp and AYUSH hospital projects in the sub-centre area, saying these projects would strengthen educational, health and social facilities in the area. After the meeting, Munganitwar along with Venugopal Reddy carried out an on-site inspection of ongoing construction at the sub-centre and gave necessary instructions after reviewing funding, quality of construction and future needs.
