New Delhi: The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) recently held a press conference in New Delhi to address concerns regarding the establishment of a ‘deemed university’ in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The draft notification for the establishment of the deemed university has received significant opposition. Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of consultation with various stakeholders, including political parties, student organisations, and the general public. The proposed deemed university aims to bring together seven government colleges operating in the islands that are currently affiliated with Pondicherry University.
The draft notification for the amendment of the Rules & Regulations, Memorandum of Association & Grant-in-Aid Rules of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Legal Education Society (ANILES) has been published on the A&N Administration State Portal. This amendment aims to align seven Pondicherry University colleges with the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Learning (NSCBIHL) Society, deemed university.
One of the main concerns surrounding the deemed university is that it could lead to the commercialisation of higher education in the islands. There were worries that private entities would have excessive control over the university, resulting in a lack of proper regulation of the fees structure. This would pose a significant challenge for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who would struggle to afford an exorbitant fees.
Another issue highlighted during the press conference was the non-democratic decision-making process in the islands. It was argued that decisions were being made without consulting the public’s views and ideals for the development of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. NSUI state president Sajid called for the establishment of a central university instead, with a focus on increasing the quality of higher education and promoting research in the islands, while ensuring a low fee structure for students.
The state president of NSUI, M.A Sajid, voiced his opposition to the approval of the university without proper consultations with public representatives, student unions, teacher unions, stakeholders, and academic experts.
Mamatha Nerlige, the in-charge of Andaman Pradesh NSUI, also opposed the establishment of the deemed university. She emphasised that a significant portion of students in the islands come from weaker sections and lower income groups, making it incredibly challenging for them to afford the costs associated with the deemed university.
Nerlige also highlighted the value of the degree issued by Pondicherry University, which is highly regarded worldwide and ranks 68th among top universities in the All India NIRF ranking. She also expressed concerns about the potential recruitment of a majority of faculty and administrative staff from outside the islands, which could limit job prospects for local islanders. This influx of outsiders might lead to exploitation of local resources and job markets, exacerbating socio-economic inequalities and marginalising the islanders.
During the press conference, National Secretary of NSUI, Avinash Yadav and Vinod Jakhar were also present.
Critics also argue that the draft notification may contribute to the commercialisation of higher education under the New Education Policy. It is anticipated that the costs of education in the deemed university and its constituent colleges would significantly increase. This could pose difficulties for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly those residing in rural areas.
