Tough examination for skills varsity

As university celebrates its third foundation day, its progress and direction come under activist scrutiny

- MUSAB QAZI

The Maharashtra State Skills University (MSSU), the state's first public university for vocational and employment-focused education, will celebrate its third foundation day today (April 14). To mark the occasion, an event will be held in the afternoon, which will be attended by, among others, the legendary poet and screenwriter Gulzar. The soiree, which is being organised at the varsity's temporary headquarters at the British-era Elphinstone High School complex in Fort, will see the officials list out their achievements, felicitate bestperforming faculty members and present a 'vision document' for its journey ahead.

Yet amid the fanfare, the university administration and government officials will also be faced with some questions about the progress and direction taken by the institute. Established by the then Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in 2021, the oneof-its kind university is expected to train large number of young people through industry-aligned curriculum at multiple campuses across the state. However, as reported by The Free Press Journal earlier this month, the varsity has so far been able to enrol only around 300 students, and is yet to get a permanent campus and regular teachers.