Mumbai universities get crores in grants under PM-USHA scheme

SNDT University is among the 26 institutions across the country that have been awarded Rs 100 crore. Pic/X

SNDT University, Mumbai, has been granted Rs 100 crore, while Mumbai University has received Rs 20 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Uchtar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), a flagship scheme of the central government aimed at enhancing the quality of research and fostering innovation in universities and higher education institutions (HEIs). Both universities have stated that the funds will be allocated towards infrastructural and educational development initiatives.

Out of 78 universities competing for funding, SNDT University has emerged as one of the selected 26 institutions, each awarded Rs 100 crore. Additionally, apart from MU and SNDT, Homi Bhabha State University in Mumbai, recognised as the first cluster university in Maharashtra and the second in India, has also been granted funds of Rs 20 crore.

Funds have been sanctioned to various higher educational institutions of the country under PM-USHA to strengthen higher education institutions of the country, develop infrastructural facilities and implement new educational activities. In addition to promoting innovation and renovating dilapidated buildings the grants will also be used to upgrade the quality of HEIs by ensuring their compliance with the prescribed parameters and standards. The funds under the PM-USHA will also be utilised in setting up new government model colleges in under-served areas to attain minimum Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) across the count. The Union government has set a target of attaining 35 per cent by the end of 2026.

In Mumbai, the initiative will be digitally launched by PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday at 11 am through video conferencing and the programme will be telecast live at Sir Cowasji Jehangir Convocation Hall of Mumbai University. Talking about the utilisation of the funds sanctioned under PM-USHA, Mumbai University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ravindra Kulkarni said various schemes are to be implemented at School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in Kalyan and Thane sub campus and Kalina Campus of MU.

The allocated funds will be utilised for various schemes, including the establishment of a new girls' hostel at the Kalina complex, development of a volleyball ground in Thane suburb, the installation of a tennis ground, the implementation of a solar power generation system, construction of protective walls, entrance beautification, internal road construction, rainwater harvesting, and modernisation of the incubation centre at the Kalina complex.

"The funds sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Uchtar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-Usha) scheme will greatly contribute to the growth and strengthening of education in infrastructure facilities at Kalina Complex and Thane sub-parisars and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Kalyan. Specially, with the help of artificial intelligence, special emphasis will be placed on the emerging sectors of health services and machine learning," Kulkarni said.