SURAT: Future of some of the oldest colleges of south Gujarat run by Sarvajanik Education Society (SES) hangs in balance as there is uncertainty over which university they would be affiliated to. Currently, these colleges are affiliated with Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) ever since they came into existence.
Now, with the formation of Sarvajanik University of SES, these colleges are gradually being disaffiliated by VNSGU as per government guidelines. However, the Sarvajanik University is not ready to give affiliation to these colleges without clarity on the issue of grants for salary and perks.
This has raised doubts about the future among the teachers and students of grant-in-aid colleges of SES. The teachers and students of SES-run colleges on Friday held protests at VNSGU and made representation to the officials. The colleges in question include MTB Arts College, Sir P T Sarvajanik College of Science, Sir K P College of Commerce. However, VNSGU vice-chancellor K N Chavda clarified that the matter was between SES and the education department and the university had no role to play in it.
“There cannot be two acts or set of rules for a private university in the state. The same rules apply to private universities in other parts of the state and as per my knowledge, there are no disputes,” added Chavda.
VNSGU came into existence in 1966 in the campus Sarvajanik Education Society (SES). Meanwhile, SES’s private university Sarvajanik University was approved by the government recently.
Chairman of SES Kamlesh Naik said, “We had proposed the government that we will take only self-finance institutions (SFI) while the grant-in aide colleges will remain affiliated with VNSGU. We are ready to affiliate grant-in aide colleges only if we get assurance on grants from the government.”
VNSGU started disaffiliation of eight colleges of which five are run by the SES, one by the Vanita Vishram Trust and two from Bardoli are associated with trust that runs Uka Tarsadia University.
A senior syndicate member of VNSGU, Sanjay Desai, said, “Earlier, in May the government had ordered a process of disaffiliation. Since it was not done the government sent a reminder for quick implementation. The teachers and students of these colleges do not need to worry as there will be no changes in benefits they are receiving.”
