New nursing colleges unlikely in 2025-26 Lack Of Infra In Existing Institutions Vexes RGUHS

New nursing colleges unlikely in 2025-26 Lack Of Infra In Existing Institutions Vexes RGUHS 

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesofindia.com 22.01.2025

Bengaluru : Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) is contemplating not inviting applications for starting new nursing colleges for academic year 2025-26. A discussion in this regard was held during a recent syndicate meeting. Over 700 nursing colleges are currently affiliated to the university. “There was a discussion on the condition of existing colleges. When there are so many existing colleges that lack even basic facilities, we should be focusing on improving the quality there. The inspection committees show several lacunae every time they go to colleges. At this rate, why should we permit more name-sake colleges which could further bring down the quality of education?” wondered a member who attended the meeting.

However, vice-chancellor MK Ramesh said no decision was taken in this regard. “There was a preliminary discussion where the pros and cons were discussed. But no decision was taken,” he said. S Shivakumar, president of Karnataka State Association of Managements of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences Institutions, said that the university should look at a moratorium for nursing colleges. “There are enough nursing colleges now. The university should look at improving the quality of the existing colleges,” he said. 

“There are around 30,000-35,000 students graduating every year. BSc nursing is still in demand. There was a drop in admissions last year as they were made through the Common Entrance Test (CET),” Shivakumar said. “At the same time, the university should also look at the terms and conditions for approving an increase in intake for medical courses. Colleges that apply for an increase in intake in medical courses get approvals easily without meeting the criteria. There cannot be two approaches for the approval process for different programmes,” he added.

 “RGUHS can sanction new nursing colleges as long as basic norms like a minimum 200-bed parent hospital in urban areas, 100-bed in rural areas, and other basic infrastructure are available. These hospitals must be owned by the same trust opening new nursing colleges,” said Mithesh Kumar Moodukonaje, founder of the National Pre University Students Parents and Teachers Association. “But at the same time, RGUHS must close down illegal nursing colleges which got approval using forged documents and bribing officials, to save the future of healthcare education. Last year itself, about 75 colleges were initially not approved but some of them were later shown to be complying. There should be strict compliance,” Moodukonaje added. In CET 2024, around 31,812 seats were available through Common Entrance Test for counselling. Of this, 15,068 were filled. 

Vice-chancellor’s term ends on Feb 10

With the term of current vice-chancellor MK Ramesh ending on Feb 10, the search committee formed for the purpose is expected to meet soon. Former vice-chancellor of Rani Chennamma University M Ramachandra Gowda, former VC of Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundelkhand University Prof TR Thapak, and PS Shankar, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, are the nominees of the state govt, chancellor, and syndicate respectively. The principal secretary of the department of medical education is the convenor of the committee.