XAVIER'S NEWS & FEATURES E-SERVICE (XNFES)
Our Goa University deserves The BEST
--
Newman Fernandes
It was always the dream of a small state like Goa to have its own
apex educational Centre, rather than to depend on a University from a
neighbouring state. Goa University was established in Goa to serve
primarily the interests of Goa and Goans and it has worked for their
benefit. When I say "Our Goa University deserves the best" the
underlying statement is that our students deserve the best.
When a lifetime opportunity is available to an individual or to an
organization, everybody is happy since it provides a lifeline to move
forward with determination in a highly competitive world. The word
"everybody" is used in a broader sense, since there may be some who,
out of jealousy, or due to an axe to grind, or petty "politics", are
disappointed and wish that such a lucky opportunity should not have
been made available. This may be due to some unpleasant experience or
misunderstanding.
Support for higher education
The announcement of the Central Government to support higher
education in India with funds to an extent so far never made
available, brought a smile on the faces of pro-education people. The
Prime Minister during his recent short trip to Goa, labelled the XI
Plan as the Education Plan. It was indeed a shot in the arm! A large
number of initiatives have been planned and some have already been
executed, in favour of higher education. One of them was the
establishment of Central Universities in those states where they had
not been earlier instituted.
The main characteristics of a Central University include its
establishment through an Act of Parliament, decision making bodies
with wide representation, generous funding and greater autonomy.
Central University is a university funded by the Centre. It is not a
stereotype model to be replicated mechanically. Some Central
Universities are residential others are not; some don't affiliate
colleges, while others do; some came into existence as Central
Universities and others were upgraded from State Universities to
central Universities; some are doing extremely well, while others are
lagging behind.
Goa and Central University
The UPA Government in its generosity selected Goa as one of the
recipients of large scale central funds. To understand the scheme of
funding better, one must note that Goa University will receive 11
crores from Central Government for the five years of the XI Plan
while a central University would receive around 160 crores for the
same period. If funds are available, one can have better and
additional infrastructure, advanced technology, more teachers and
better paid luminaries, variety of courses that respond to the needs
of the market and to the stirrings of the soul, course marketing,
highly paid guest faculty, initiatives to sustain growth and
progress etc. As the common man says the rich grow richer the Goa
University would have a chance to grow qualitatively and quantitatively.
Upgradation of Goa University
The Government of Goa accepted this gift and proposed that Goa
University should be the recipient of these funds with its
upgradation to Central University. And rightly so! Being unable to
provide equivalent funds, the best option for the Goa Government was
to welcome with open hands the central offer. I also appreciate the
initiative of our Government to offer a platform for discussions
about the considerations to be weighed at the time of upgradation.
No state university can excel without adequate funding. Even
competent and renowned faculty will desert the sinking ship and
accelerate the deterioration. A vicious cycle sets in thereafter.
There cannot be progress when there is no autonomy. One cannot bind a
person with fetters of iron shackles and ask him to run! At present,
Goa University has to obtain NOC from the Government even to appoint
a peon. Though this is an anachronism, unfortunately it is a reality.
In many states a University is treated as a fiefdom of the ruling
party and subjected to political interferences at the drop of a hat.
It is very difficult to excel under these circumstances. Fortunately,
our Chief Minister is determined to put education in the hands of
educationists.
When we express adverse remarks regarding a University, this refers
to the specific people who work in the University. They may need
correction. Why should the University suffer? And this definitely
translates into "why should our students suffer"?
Claim for central funds
We will be sounding the death knell for Goa University and choke it
to death if we ignore its claim or of its students to central funds
through upgradation and suggest the establishment of another
University in Goa during the XI Plan. The good must not be made an
enemy of the probable best and not even the best. Just because it is
possible, it does mean that the new University will necessarily be
better than the existing one. Perhaps we may be ready for another
University in the XII Plan.
Student demography
If we analyse the present student demography in Goa we realize that
the number of students enrolling for higher education is very small.
This year 9,970 students passed the Std. XII exams and 11,026 passed
the Std. X exam, and consequently the number of students for Std. XII
in 2010-11, will be much lower than this year. In 2008-09, the Goa
University enrolled only around 500 students for the Part I out of
which only around 60% are Goans. Except for four departments, the
remaining have not been able to fill their quota (this itself has
been lowered earlier because of shortage of students).
Deserving Goan Students
When Goa University is upgraded into Central University, no deserving
Goan student should be denied admission. However, this possibility
may not arise because the reservation for Goans can be increased and
seats too can be increased. Based on the present trend, seats will
still remain vacant. Goa University has its own assets like
buildings, equipment, and etc. and under existing legislation the
owner is Goa University. The State Government cannot transfer it
unless through the process of acquisition, nor the Central
Government. Just because the Central Government provides funds to the
State Government, the ownership is not transferred to the Central Government.
Let us stop flying kites and blackmailing the public with bogeys and
other denizens of the night to arouse emotions.
Conclusion
There is a strong need to strengthen our Goa University which is
possible if adequate funds are made available for its development,
which means development of our students. VCs, Registrars and staff
will come and go but our Goa University will remain.
They and us are not enemies, but we are all working in tandem for the
cause of education. The benefit will be an endless advantage to our students.
Which children will be pleased when their mother is deprived of much
needed funds when the same are made available to another woman?
