The Institute of Chemical Technology’s sub-campuses in Jalna and Bhubaneshwar have come under scrutiny from a University Grants Commission (UGC) committee for not meeting the required student strength. While the institute believes that as a specialized university, it will grow at an organic pace, the committee identified several deficiencies that need to be addressed. These include revising rules, creating administrative and academic facilities, arranging accommodations for teachers and students, establishing sports and healthcare facilities, procuring necessary equipment, books, and journals, and identifying teaching and non-teaching staff. The committee highlighted that the Jalna campus has only 476 students and 23 faculty members, while the requirement is a minimum of 1,000 students with a fifth being post-graduate or research students. Similarly, the Bhubaneshwar sub-centre has 478 students and 25 faculty members.
Furthermore, the lease period of the Bhubaneswar campus has expired, and the ICT has been urged to renew the lease agreement for a minimum of 30 years. The committee also noted non-compliance with the UGC Regulations in the memorandum of association. In response, the ICT vice chancellor, Aniruddha Pandit, outlined the institute’s plan to gradually increase faculty numbers and subsequently introduce more courses. The goal is to attract more students for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs, ultimately surpassing 1,000 students. While the main campus in Mumbai boasts 112 faculty members and over 2,500 students, Pandit emphasized the importance of maintaining the same ethos and solidity at the sub-campuses. The ICT intends to address the committee’s concerns and ensure compliance with the UGC’s guidelines.
