In its report to the government, which was notified on Thursday, the committee insisted that an integrated agricultural college be started. The report comes as a major boost to the government’s initiatives undertaken to ensure quality education in the State.
“In the light of findings in respect of available facilities for college education in Arts, Science and Commerce disciplines, the requirements are adequately and satisfactorily met in all parts of Goa. There is no need to start new colleges in the three domains in any part of Goa for the next few years,” the committee opined.
The report also stated that if for any reason, which may subsequently arise and if need occurs for creation of additional facilities in any region, it could be met by starting additional divisions in the existing colleges. However, it reiterated opening of new colleges in the three disciplines is not warranted under the present situation.
The recommendation further suggests strengthening the existing grant-in-aid Arts, Science and Commerce colleges on priority revising, rationalizing, liberalizing and implementing the new grant-in-aid pattern, and the non-teaching staff pattern. “These institutions should be encouraged to move fast towards innovation and quality improvement on a sustained basis,” the findings read.
The report also proposed urgent need to set up a composite and integrated agricultural college encompassing the disciplines of farming, horticulture, floriculture and pisciculture. For this, institutions should be located at the place where adequate land is available and other colleges of liberal education do not exist. The members suggested Satari, Sanguem and Canacona for the proposed college.
On the basis of detailed examination of postgraduate courses in the Goa University and various undergraduate colleges, the committee concluded that for MA, MCom and MSc courses, the demand is more or less met however, a few gaps need to be filled in.
As regards the MCom course, the committee observed its need and feasibility in Vasco where a large number of blue collar and white collar employees are employed in several private-public sectors, commercial and industrial establishments.
“In view of the rapidly emerging pharmaceutical and other establishments like the NIO and Syngenta Research and Technology Unit, there is a growing scope for expansion in the facilities for PG courses in chemistry, particularly analytical chemistry, physical chemistry and organic chemistry,” the report further says.
