Gujarat grants in-principle approval to three new private universities

The Government of Gujarat has granted in-principle approval to three new private universities in the state;Ahmedabad University proposed by the Ahmedabad Education Society, ICFAI University proposed by the Institute of Chartered Financial Analyst of India and Navrachana University proposed by Vadodara based Navrachana Education Society.

Gujarat’s Education Minister Shri Ramanbhai Vora said that the proposed universities would enjoy complete university status after legal formalities in the next assembly session.

He said that five self financed colleges run by Ahmedabad Education Trust that are currently associated with Gujarat University would become a part of the new Ahmedabad University(AU) from June-2009. These are H L Institute of Commerce, M G Science College, L M College of Pharmacy and LD Arts College. Apart from Gujarat Law Society-run H A College of Commerce and its law college, Gujarat University will be left with second-rung colleges in the city and institutes in rural areas.

AU’s academic operations will start in June 2009. All self-financed Bcom, BBA, BCA, MBA, MCA institutes will be affiliated to AU. Students who wish to enroll in the first year will now have to apply to AU for enrollment. AU is planning to revise the syllabus and introduce a grading system. First task however would be of announcing a vice chancellor.

The governing body of AU includes Arvind Mills managing director Sanjay Lalbhai, chairman and managing director of Torrent Sudhir Mehta and member of IIM-A’s governing council Praful Anubhai.

Another proposed University ICFAI will offer B Ed, MCA, B Tech, Finance, MBA, Diploma in Port Management etc. courses at it’s Rs1800 crore campus in Ahmedabad. The minister said that Vadodara based Navrachna University will offer four years Teachers Training course with capacity of 200 students.

Gujarat has already seven private universities; CEPT, Nirma, DDIT, DAIIT, Ganpat University, Kadi Sarva Vidhyalaya and Pandit Dindayal Petroleum University.