JAIPUR: The Centre for Women Studies at Rajasthan University (RU) has reported a decline in student enrolments after the Covid pandemic, said officials.
The decline is due to several factors, officials said, including a lack of faculty appointments, high fees in self-financed courses, and the doing away with the MPhil programme under the National Education Policy.
“The Centre, which has long been recognised as a leading institution for women’s studies and research, has traditionally attracted a diverse and enthusiastic cohort of students. However, after the pandemic enrolments have reduced. We noticed that enrolments reduced after M.Phil programme was removed,” said Bindu Jain, director of the centre
Officials said that the high fee structure has also become a significant barrier for many students.
“The M.Phil. programme used to provide a platform for advanced research. Its removal has not only impacted the centre’s academic prestige but also limited opportunities for students to pursue higher studies. An inclusive academic environment is crucial for the advancement of women’s issues and empowerment,” added Jain.
Students who studied in the Centre before Covid said that they did not face any problems with faculty or the education process. Meenakshi Yadav, an M.Phil student from 2016 who now works as a government official, said, “Before Covid, both the admission rate and faculty were well structured and convenient for our batch.”
Jain said that if the centre can have fixed faculty members, “we are likely to see increase in enrolments.”
The decline is due to several factors, officials said, including a lack of faculty appointments, high fees in self-financed courses, and the doing away with the MPhil programme under the National Education Policy.
“The Centre, which has long been recognised as a leading institution for women’s studies and research, has traditionally attracted a diverse and enthusiastic cohort of students. However, after the pandemic enrolments have reduced. We noticed that enrolments reduced after M.Phil programme was removed,” said Bindu Jain, director of the centre
Officials said that the high fee structure has also become a significant barrier for many students.
“The M.Phil. programme used to provide a platform for advanced research. Its removal has not only impacted the centre’s academic prestige but also limited opportunities for students to pursue higher studies. An inclusive academic environment is crucial for the advancement of women’s issues and empowerment,” added Jain.
Students who studied in the Centre before Covid said that they did not face any problems with faculty or the education process. Meenakshi Yadav, an M.Phil student from 2016 who now works as a government official, said, “Before Covid, both the admission rate and faculty were well structured and convenient for our batch.”
Jain said that if the centre can have fixed faculty members, “we are likely to see increase in enrolments.”
