TIMES IMPACT

VJTI is back under Mumbai univ’s control

Hemali Chhapia | TNN

Mumbai: The University of Mumbai has dispatched a letter to the director of Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) informing him that the engineering college is no longer an autonomous institute and that it is now again under the fold of the varsity. The institute was granted autonomy in 2004.

For the last three years, the engineering college has been under the scanner after several reports of corruption and academic degradation came to the fore, said an academic council member, who refused to be quoted. TOI had reported several articles on the irregularities, all of which were confirmed by the committee. “It is sad that that even if a once-prestigious college like VJTI now re-applies for autonomy, the university will have to be very careful in granting it,’’ he added. The Matunga-based college has although seen better days.

From its golden era when it was named Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute in 1947, VJTI has been an establishment whose growth has not only paralleled that of Mumbai but also catered to its changing needs. Even older than the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, the institute started operating out of the Old Elphinstone College building in Byculla in 1887. Initially, it had two departments—the Ripon Textile School and Sir J J School of Mechanical Engineering.

The textile school, since its inception in 1888, offered a four-year licentiate diploma course and was a feeder for the city’s mills, which needed technical personnel, so that there would be reduced dependence on foreign technical manpower. However, for years, the cash-strapped state found it difficult to bankroll any ambitious plans for this scientific institute. Help came in after the World Bank started providing loans under a special programme in 2004. Thanks to its perfect past, the college got a full autonomy.

However, the institute ran into controversy after funds meant for institute’s development were diverted for other purposes including leasing a vehicle, buying a camcorder, a digital camera and high-end cellphones. All the purchases were confirmed by a committee that was appointed in 2007 to look into the irregularities.

The institute was also in news for academic discrepancies too. In 2006, VJTI awarded students grace marks that were almost twice their actual scores. Several faculty members who protested against awarding such “generous’’ marks were asked whether they were ready to accept responsibility if a failed student committed suicide. The falling academic standards forced the university to set up a committee to review the institute’s autonomy. The varsity gave its decision on Thursday.