17.03.2026: Governor directs state universities to submit quarterly reports to Lok Bhavan
Governor directs state universities to submit quarterly reports to Lok Bhavan
Universities should diligently implement School Connect and initiatives for women empowerment: Governor Jishnu Dev Varma
For the first time after assuming office, the Governor of Maharashtra and Chancellor of the State Public Universities, Jishnu Dev Varma, on Tuesday (March 17) interacted with the Vice-Chancellors of all State Public Universities through video conferencing from Lok Bhavan, Mumbai.
The Governor asked Vice-Chancellors to improve their national rankings and set targets periodically to achieve the same.
To increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio of students in universities, he emphasized that universities should strengthen their outreach with schools and motivate students to pursue higher education. In this regard, he gave important instructions that universities should undertake innovative initiatives under the ‘School Connect’ programme.
The Governor stressed that while implementing this programme, universities should adopt innovative and out-of-the-box approaches.
He stated that the ‘Swayamsiddha’ initiative, launched to enhance women’s empowerment and employability through skill education, is very important and should be implemented seriously by universities.
The Governor said that Lok Bhavan will review the implementation of both ‘School Connect’ and ‘Swayamsiddha’ programmes, and universities should submit quarterly reports on these initiatives to Lok Bhavan.
He also mentioned that universities performing exceptionally well in these initiatives may be considered for awards such as medals or trophies.
Successful initiatives undertaken by universities will be replicated in other universities as well, he added.
The Governor further said that he would soon hold detailed discussions with all Vice-Chancellors.
In his introductory remarks, the Governor’s Secretary Dr. Prashant Narnaware provided information regarding the implementation of the National Education Policy, national rankings of universities, women empowerment, the Swayamsiddha initiative, skill development, and the ‘School Connect’ programme.