Nagpur University senate grills officials over result delays, vacant posts, NEP rollout

The senate meeting of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University held on Wednesday saw debate on several issues. Members raised how NEP-2020 is being implemented, why exam results and mark sheets are being delayed, and the matter of vacant teaching and non-teaching posts. Administrative officers did not give clear answers to questions raised by senate members, which made the atmosphere uncomfortable at several points during the meeting. Members strongly confronted the administration over the difficulties faced by students.

Senate member Adv. Manmohan Bajpai asked for full details of the changes made after NEP implementation to new courses, the method of choosing guides, eligibility certificates and the admission process. He also raised questions about rules for tracking admission-exit credits and the formation of college clusters. Dean Dr. Shyam Koretti responded that the syllabus for the new courses has been uploaded on the university website.

Adv. Bajpai further questioned repeated changes to the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) syllabus, asking how students are supposed to prepare under such conditions. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr. Akhilesh Peshwe said that colleges affected by this issue have been given permission to form clusters. On the question of hiring expert teachers, he said the course is currently being taught by existing professors.

The meeting also raised the issue that students should receive their mark sheets within 15 days of results being declared, but this is not happening. Officials said the university released results for 858 exams on time, but results and mark sheets for 285 exams were held up due to technical reasons. Senate members said many students have still not received mark sheets for exams whose results were declared three months ago, raising questions over the university's claims of issuing mark sheets on time.

The shortage of professors at the university was also raised strongly. Of the total 255 sanctioned posts for professors and assistant professors, only 83 are filled, leaving 172 vacant. Hundreds of teaching and non-teaching staff posts are also vacant. University registrar Dr. Khandal said continuous correspondence and follow-up is being done with the secretary of the Higher and Technical Education Department to fill these vacancies. He also said that since staff recruitment is pending at Gondwana University as well, it has been suggested that both universities send a joint proposal, and a meeting with the secretary will be held soon on this.