Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 20: A delegation of the Joint Action Forum Against Deemed University met Ramdas Bandu Athawale, Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment and submitted a representation seeking his urgent intervention regarding the proposed conversion of existing Government Colleges in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands into a Deemed-to-be University under the name of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Learning (NSCBIHL).
The Forum expressed its gratitude to the Hon’ble MP for granting time to the delegation and patiently listening to the concerns of the students. The delegation highlighted that the Government of India and the UT Administration have decided to bring all seven existing Government Colleges under the newly proposed deemed university. At present, these colleges are affiliated with Pondicherry University, a reputed Central University with NAAC A+ accreditation and strong national standing.
The proposed shift in affiliation has created widespread uncertainty among students and parents, who fear that the transition may affect the academic credibility, national recognition, and long-term value of their degrees. The Forum emphasized that merging established Government Colleges under a newly formed deemed university raises serious academic and practical concerns, including possible changes in fee structure and academic framework.
It was pointed out that a large number of students in the Islands belong to economically weaker and marginalized sections of society. Any increase in educational expenses would impose an additional financial burden on them. For the past 12 days, students across various colleges have been peacefully expressing their concerns, demanding that the existing affiliation with Pondicherry University be continued and that the deemed university proposal be kept in abeyance until wider consultations are conducted.
The Forum further stated that there appear to be discrepancies regarding compliance with statutory norms prescribed by the UGC for establishing a Deemed-to-be University. While it has reportedly been stated in an affidavit before the Hon’ble High Court that all norms have been fulfilled, stakeholders have raised doubts, calling for a transparent and independent review.
The Joint Action Forum reiterated that there is no immediate need to alter the affiliation of the existing colleges. Instead, if necessary, the establishment of a full-fledged Central University in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands would be a more visionary and sustainable step, ensuring academic excellence, national recognition, and long-term stability.
The delegation requested Shri Ramdas Athawale to take up the matter at the national level, including raising it in Parliament and with the Hon’ble Minister of Education, so that the genuine concerns of students from the Islands receive due attention and consideration.