PANJIM: Applauding an impressive enrollment record for post graduate programmes at Goa University (GU) without additional funds from the government, Vice Chancellor Dr Satish Shetye said that a proposal was submitted to the State government to double the enrollment on the central campus by 2020. The proposal was made following a request from the government.
“At the request of the Goa government, we have submitted a proposal that would double the enrollment in the PG programmes on the central campus by 2020. The new block that would house the Faculty of Commerce and Management will be complete in the next few months. With it, we will be able to make available larger classrooms to departments that are in demand, but facing a crunch because of small size of classrooms,” Dr Shetye said addressing students at 28th convocation of GU at Taleigao on Friday.
The academic year 2015-16 saw enrollment for PG programmes on campus crossing the 1,000-mark for the first time. The increase, he said, was achieved without any additional funding from the government.
“It was motivated by the desire to ensure that Goan students get the opportunity possible to study in their own State at the university started by the State. This increase was made possible by the Goa government by completing the Science Block-E, which now houses four departments,” he further stated that infrastructure has certainly increased enrollment.
Enrollment in approximately 30 general education affiliated colleges of GU in the current academic year also saw a significant increase. As per records, the figures rose from 6,700 last year to 8,800 this year. The university attributes the rise partly to the change in regulations that governed entry into primary education a dozen years ago.
“However, there is no doubt that the size of the middle class in the State is rising and so is the number of students wanting to get university education. GU accepts this as a welcome development and ensures that we put in place systems to meet aspirations of our students,” Dr Shetye added.
Congratulating GU on its achievements so far, former Director of IIT Bombay and Professor Emeritus Suhas Sukhatme said he was bowled over by the higher education imparted in various fields. “It was good to note that at the undergraduate level, there is a mix of colleges imparting general education in arts, sciences and commerce, and colleges imparting professional education in engineering, medicine, nursing, architecture, etc,” said the chief guest for the convocation.
The former IITian suggested expanding post graduate and research activities in selected areas as out of about 30,000 student population, only about 2,000 constitute PG students.
Speaking on Goa’s economy, he said the State was doing well and had one of the highest per capita incomes in the country. He also highlighted the need to find equitable solutions to the ban on mining operations and that the tourism industry was doing well.
“I am aware that the mining industry has been affected because of restrictions on its activities caused by environmental concerns. These issues need to be addressed. Science and technology could well play an important part in finding equitable solutions,” he said as he gave tips to the graduates to achieve success in their respective fields.
