Gujarat To Have 2 New State Universities

According to a recent decision, two new state universities are expected to set up in Gujarat. The universities shall be set up in the Junagadh and Godhra districts of the state.

Changes are to be done in the geographical territories of the existing varsities, Gujarat University and Sardar Patel university are on the list.

The proposed new universities along with the changes in the acts of the existing two will be effective by the middle of May this year.

According to the Times of India, the the state government will soon bring four ordinances relating to the four universities. The districts of Kheda, Panchmahal and Anand are expected to be excluded from the affiliation territory of GU.

Currently, SPU is able to affiliate institutes within its 8-km radius. Under the ordinance, the government is set to amend the SPU Act to expand its jurisdiction to the entire Anand and Kheda districts.

As a result, 22 institutes which are currently under GU, will be brought under SPU.

The proposed varsity in Junagadh will get jurisdiction over Junagadh, Porbandar, Gir-Somnath and Amreli districts, whereas the one in Godhra will get jurisdiction over Panchmahal, Mahisagar, Dahod and Chotta Udepur districts.

This decision has been taken to benefit students from underdeveloped areas. After the new universities are set up, such students will not be required to travel long distances.

Since the government plans to launch the two universities from the coming academic session, it has taken the ordinance route. The bills are slated to be passed during the winter session, relating to all the four ordinances.

The state education department has already been advised to initiate the process of appointing faculty and other staff for the two proposed universities. Land and budget allocations are also being worked out, add the reports.