Gujarat govt seeks Central university status for MSU, revamp of SSA

State Education minister Chudasama also sought Central status for the Indian Institute of Teacher Education and revamping the policy of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

Gujarat government on Thursday requested Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani to confer the status of Central university on the city-based Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU).

A delegation, led by the state Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasma, comprising ministers of state, Vasuben Trivedi and Nanubhai Vanani, principal secretary (education), A M Tiwari, and commissioner of technical education, Jayanti Ravi, discussed the issue with Irani in New Delhi.

"We informed the minister that the MS University fits the criterion for the purpose as it has forged partnerships with some of the leading international universities including Auburn University, USA, De Montfort University, UK, IMF-CSIC, Spain, SIAST, Canada and Virginia Commonwealth University, USA to name a few," Chudasama said over phone from Delhi. He said that Irani was forthcoming on their demand and assured them that it will be considered.

Chudasama also sought Central status for the Indian Institute of Teacher Education (IITE) and revamping the policy of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) for improving quality of elementary, secondary and higher education in Gujarat.

He also sought support of Union government in implementing the integrated quality improvement project which envisages installation of biometric-based attendance system in schools and for allocating 7 DTH channels for its Virtual Classroom project.

"I requested the minister to revamp and redirect the Mid-Day Meal programme so as to improve nutrition in children and demanded that the focus should be directed on calorie and protein requirements besides modernising kitchens in large primary schools," Chudasama said.

The MS University, earlier known as Baroda College, was founded in 1881. Currently, it has 13 faculties and over 37,000 students who are pursuing higher studies.