The University of Mumbai, in a move that will benefit students who either skip lectures to work or  opt for part-time and distance education courses, has unveiled an ambitious plan, of two shifts in the colleges affiliated to it from the next academic year.This is expected to double the intake capacity in one stroke.

 The initiative came from the university Vice Chancellor Dr Vijay Khole. He told Deccan Herald, “we want to increase the number of students in higher education by about 15 per cent by 2015”.

 The report of National Knowledge Commission Chairman Sam Pitroda  favoured two shifts in colleges - from 6.00 am to 2.00 pm and from 3.00 pm to 10 pm.

Most of the 490 colleges affiliated to the varsity in Mumbai and the Konkan region, have morning sessions and the classrooms remain empty during the afternoon and evening hours. Some of the colleges offer vocational courses in the evening, which attract large number of students.

 Explaining the concept further, Dr Khole said “these evening courses are either certificate courses, or diploma and advanced diploma courses.

“The number of night colleges is too minuscule. Double shifts in the existing colleges, which will offer regular degree courses, therefore, is a better option.”

 Dr Khole has appointed a committee of experts including some college principals and senior professors to look into the feasibility of double shifts. “Double shift does not mean that the students in the second shift will be treated differently or inferior manner; the students in that shift should get the same quality of education, same facilities like library and sports”, Dr Khole insisted.   

He opined that efficient teachers had to be appointed and paid handsome remuneration.

After the committee submits its report, the varsity will approach the state government for clearance.   Since the current academic year has already begun, the double shift can be introduced in colleges from the next academic year, Dr Khole said.

Former V-C Snehlata Deshmukh described the double shift as a “good and quite feasible idea”.

She said it would help colleges utilise space better at no extra cost, but they would have to appoint more staff for the second shift, which could be financed from the fees collected from new students.The concept has been widely welcomed by the colleges.

The number of applications received by well known colleges for their popular programmes is  almost five times the number of seats available.

For example, at Somaiya college, there were 6,000 applications for the  600 seats in the first-year level and 5,000 applications for 900 seats in BA and BCom programmes.

 Dr Khole said the university had already received applications for introduction of regular second shifts  from two to three colleges. “They are representative and we have received very good response from colleges”, he said.

Students enthusiastic
 The students’ response is equally positive. Ujjwala Kamble, a second year B Com student of Somaiya college in Vidya Vihar, skips lectures and works in a small data firm, as she has to support her family.

“The shift idea is very good, at least I can attend the evening lectures if it comes,” she said.

Another student, Kaushik Tandale, has opted for a distance education programme as his marketing job involves lot of travelling throughout the day. He loves the idea of attending a regular college in company of his friends and said, “it will be a God sent opportunity if the colleges start late evening shift”.