A delegation of students from Maharana Pratap University of Technology’s (MPUT) Fisheries College, alongside members of the College of Fisheries Udaipur Alumni Association, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister’s office on Monday. The delegation demanded urgent steps to address the long-standing shortage of academic and non-academic staff at the college.
Despite being established 15 years ago, the Fisheries College has struggled to meet the minimum faculty and staff requirements set by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The college currently operates with just two full-time professors, with the bulk of teaching responsibilities being handled by guest faculty. As several professors have recently retired, the shortage has become even more critical, jeopardizing the institution’s ability to function effectively.
The lack of faculty has led to the suspension of Postgraduate (PG) and Doctoral (Ph.D.) programs at the college. Students who aspire to pursue higher education in fisheries are now compelled to seek admission in institutions outside the state, resulting in a significant drain of talent and resources. The suspension has also halted crucial research in areas such as climate-based fish seed selection, integrated fish farming, and cost-effective aquaculture methods, which are essential for advancing fisheries in Rajasthan.
The delegation pointed out that previous meetings with state government officials had yielded only verbal assurances, with no concrete actions taken to address the issue. “Despite our repeated appeals, the vacancies remain unfilled. We hope this time the government takes our demands seriously,” said Ajay Meena, a representative of the Alumni Association.
In their memorandum, the students and alumni have issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government and the university administration to initiate the recruitment process. They warned that failure to address the issue within this period would result in a large-scale movement and an awareness campaign to highlight the plight of the college.
The memorandum was submitted by key representatives, including Ajay Meena and Mukesh Ghasal from the Alumni Association, alongside several fourth-year Bachelor of Fisheries Science (BFSc) students.
The students emphasized that filling these vacancies is not only essential for the academic future of the college but also for the development of fisheries in Rajasthan. Without adequate faculty and resources, the college’s ability to contribute to sustainable aquaculture practices and fisheries research in the state remains severely compromised.
The ball is now in the government’s court to take immediate steps to secure the future of the Fisheries College and its students.
Source: GMCH Stories
