The Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC) on Tuesday called for urgent financial support to address the issues of Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) and emphasised the need for a permanent vice-chancellor and skilled staff to lead the university.
These steps are vital for DMU to fulfill its educational mission and more effectively serve its students, stated a release.
MIYC has alleged that the three universities in Manipur—Dhanamanjuri University (DMU), Manipur University of Culture, and Manipur Technical University—are yet to achieve fully-fledged status.
Among these institutions, DMU holds the most promise, with an enrolment of around 15,000 students. However, concerns remain regarding its ability to realise this potential without a qualified vice-chancellor to oversee essential restructuring, it mentioned.
DMU was established following a 2017 mandate by the Manipur Assembly to create a university, with its first academic session beginning in 2018. However, the university has yet to secure 12B recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC), a status critical for offering degrees recognised at the national level, the statement added.
The delay in 12B accreditation has restricted DMU’s access to funding for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, disrupting academic schedules and exam timelines. This, in turn, has created uncertainty regarding students’ academic progress and future career opportunities, it stated.
Founded as a university in 2017, DMU includes five constituent colleges: DM College of Arts, DM College of Science, DM College of Commerce, GP Women’s College, and LMS Law College. Faculty members from these colleges, along with new appointees, now serve as university instructors, it mentioned.
However, administrative responsibilities are divided between the university’s dean and the principals of these colleges, resulting in a fragmented governance structure. The UGC has urged DMU to address pressing issues in areas such as land, infrastructure, equipment, and manpower to meet the criteria for 12B accreditation, the statement said.
DMU lacks essential administrative bodies, including the Executive Council, Syndicate, Finance and Academic Councils, and a Research Committee—bodies critical for effective governance. The DMU Act of 2017 also leaves several governance issues unaddressed, and the university continues to face significant infrastructure shortfalls, with faculty citing a shortage of classrooms, seating, and tables, all necessary to meet UGC guidelines, it added.
The university’s examination system has also faced criticism, with students reporting delays and citing an insufficient administrative workforce to manage exams. In response, students have called for compensation for time lost due to these disruptions, it mentioned.
MIYC urged chancellor (Governor), chief minister, and education minister to recognise DMU as an institution essential to Manipur’s development, highlighting the importance of education as a foundation for progress worldwide.
