Mumbai University plans new skill-based college at Sargaon in Murbad
The University of Mumbai has proposed establishing a new skill-based and multidisciplinary college at Sargaon in Murbad taluka of Thane district. The project is part of a larger plan to set up 12 new colleges across the region starting from the 2027-28 academic year, aiming to prioritize industry-oriented education over traditional degree programs to improve student employability.
The proposal was cleared by the university’s Management Council and forms a key part of the University of Mumbai's five-year master plan spanning 2024 to 2029. The university Senate was scheduled to vote on the development plan during its meeting on July 22.
Under the new master plan, the university will stop approving new colleges that offer conventional courses in Arts, Commerce, Science, and Law. This shift comes as university officials report that many of the 800-plus colleges currently affiliated with the University of Mumbai are struggling to attract students due to declining enrollment in traditional degree courses. Instead, students are increasingly opting for skill-based programs that enhance their job prospects.
To address this, the university has identified locations for the 12 proposed colleges based on local economic needs and employment opportunities. While Sargaon in Thane district is set to receive one college, the remaining 11 institutions are distributed across Mumbai and neighboring districts.
Within Mumbai, five colleges are proposed at Dadar (West), South Mumbai, Malad (West), Mulund (East), and Kandivali (East). Outside of Mumbai, the plan includes one college at Roha in Raigad district, two in Ratnagiri district at Chafe and Dapoli, one in Sindhudurg at Devgad, and two in Palghar district at Lalonde and Vasai-Kaman.
According to university sources, these institutions will offer multidisciplinary, skill-based courses tailored to local industries. If approved by the Senate, the university will initiate the process of granting permissions so that the new colleges can begin admissions for the 2027-28 academic year. Officials stated that the initiative aims to expand access to job-oriented education while supporting the objectives of the National Education Policy.
