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.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
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.
