Gujarat University cancels controversial MoUs

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat University (GU) has cancelled the memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed with all three colleges for the five-year integrated courses started by the former vice-chancellor (VC) Adesh Pal.
The GU executive council met on Friday and decided to cancel the MoUs with private educational groups Asia Charitable Trust and iNurture Education Solutions Private Limited.The council also decided that the colleges will now be run by the university. Sources said that the educational groups had already informed the council about their intention to cancel the MoUs.
So far, the university has admitted 700 students in BA, BCom, MBA and MCA courses. The GU has clarified that subject to the final decision of the syndicate, the students who have enrolled in these courses would be accommodated in other colleges, if required.
The move to start these courses was mired in controversy with education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasma seeking explanation from the university on signing MoUs with private institutes for integrated professional courses to be run from the university campus. The courses were launched without the prior approval of the syndicate.
Despite the state government asking the VC to restrain from taking such decision, Pal went ahead and started the integrated courses.