Pune District Collector Asks SPPU To De-Affiliate Colleges For Not Establishing ‘Equal Opportunity Centers’

Sumit Singh

Pune, 12th August 2023: In a bid to provide students with enhanced employment prospects and higher education guidance, the establishment of ‘Equal Opportunity Centers’ within colleges is deemed necessary. However, this crucial initiative has seen widespread neglect across colleges in the Pune district.

Startlingly, a significant number of colleges—1,922 in total—have failed to establish these vital Equal Opportunity Centers. Responding to this concern, the District Collector has issued directives for immediate action. A formal communication detailing these directives has been sent to the registrar of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), who subsequently disseminated the information to the respective colleges.

Given the evolving landscape of education and the implementation of new educational policies, the establishment of an Equal Opportunity Center within each college is now imperative. As early as January 2022, the social welfare department had issued clear instructions on this matter. However, it has come to light that the majority of colleges have not heeded this directive. 

In a decisive move, Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, the Collector, has taken a proactive stance by addressing the issue and formally communicating his concerns to the university.

A noteworthy observation reveals that colleges spanning various disciplines, encompassing Agriculture, Medical, Engineering, Technical, Arts, Commerce, and Science, have all fallen short in establishing a functional Equal Opportunity Center. While colleges have been granted permission to set up the center, a specific timeframe for implementation has yet to be stipulated.

Defining the Equal Opportunity Center: At the core of this initiative is the establishment of a college-level center aimed at resolving issues faced by all students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. To facilitate this, the social welfare department mandates the creation of an advisory committee chaired by the principal, with the head of the department serving as the member secretary.

Key Functions of the Equal Opportunity Center:

• Provision of financial aid and higher education guidance
• Identification and facilitation of opportunities in higher education
• Nurturing of entrepreneurial prospects
• Offering training, research guidance
• Serving as a hub for Women’s Studies and Career Katta
• Fostering Competitive Examination and Skill Development

The absence of established Equal Opportunity Centers within district colleges has resulted in a significant setback for students, as timely benefits are compromised. It’s imperative to recognize that this initiative is not a mere embellishment; rather, colleges failing to establish such centers risk potential consequences. Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, the Collector, has asserted that colleges failing to comply may face repercussions including the possibility of university affiliation revocation (as indicated in his communication to the Registrar).