Goa University said their student unions on campus do not indulge in unnecessary politics and that they function as per the statues. Stating that it was wrong to link the State University with Central Universities where the student population belongs from different states, GU Registrar V P Kamat explained that its students cater to the specific needs on campus.
“The GU students’ council comprising of affiliated colleges and GU, and post graduate students union ensures welfare of the student community. They don’t indulge in unnecessary politics as they follow a strict mandate,” he said.
Citing that the GU students solved the public transport crisis through regular mediation with the government, the Registrar maintained that the unions cater to student-related issues. “We also hold discussions but do not publicize it. The healthy debate is meant for internal students. Our students on their own solved the transportation issue as we now see Kadamba buses plying round the clock,” he stated.
A professor with GU’s Centre for Women’s Studies echoed this view stating that different faculties hold discussions on related topics. “Recently, there was an awareness program on sexual harassment at the workplace. Likewise, several seminars are held all round the year,” she revealed.
Another senior professor in the English Faculty claimed that students are eager to come together on a common platform on issues but conceded that the students are rarely critical or aware of issues.
