The HSNC University, Mumbai is a collegiate public state university located in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It was established as a joint venture between the Ministry of HRD (erstwhile Education Ministry), the Government of Maharashtra, and the HSNC Board (the parent educational trust). It is the second cluster university in the city of Mumbai.[1][2]
The University aims to promote skill development and will include courses such as dance, music, and yoga, for which the students will get course credits with an option to avail e-certificate. A dedicated ‘Incubation Centre’ to help students' liaison with associations, and self-learning modules in the curriculum to help students to score marks, are some concepts being offered.[7]
Concept of Cluster University
The idea of the Cluster University was a radical initiative by Rashtriya Uchater Shikshan Abhiyan (RUSA), an apex body under the Ministry of Human Resources, Government of India (erstwhile, Education Ministry), and the Government of Maharashtra, in the pursuit to overcome the lacunae in the existing University system of India. The Cluster University also aims at opening up curriculum reforms and bringing in greater autonomy in the designing of syllabi to make them contemporary, multi-disciplinary, and in tune with the highest of global standards.
The HSNC University, Mumbai, is constituted under sub-section (6) of section 3 of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016 (Mah. VI of 2017), the Government of Maharashtra vide notification no. Rusayo-2019/CR-186/UE-3 dated 30 October 2019 in the official gazette as a Cluster University.[17]
On 25 June 2020, HSNC University joined hands with Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, USA (PSSHE) by signing the Letter of Intent (LOI) for ‘Higher Education Academic Partnership’. The formal signing ceremony took place virtually on 23 June 2020.[20]
On 16 March 2021, the cluster university hosted organized its first General Council Meeting at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai.[24] The Governor of Maharashtra (and Chancellor of the universities) along with the Provost of HSNC University, Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani presided over the first General Council Meeting of the newly constituted HSNC Cluster University on Monday along with other University dignitaries.[25] In this GC Meeting, Dr. Hiranandani stated;
"Additionally, in an effort to provide an at par global education, we are also working towards a collaborative effort in presenting a comprehensive distance learning curriculum in association with the prestigious Harvard University." ~ Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Provost - HSNC University[26]
The University has also joined hands with TCS iON to design an industry certification that is in-line with the need of the hour.[27]
"The HSNC University, Mumbai has collaborated with India’s biggest global IT player ‘TCS iON’ for an industry Honour Certification. The alliance is designed to train and skill the young talent pool to become ‘Industry Ready’... By joining hands with TCS iON, HSNC University will facilitate learners with certificate courses, programmes, internships, and placement assistance." ~ The Tribune[27]
