Thirteen years after its establishment, the South Asian University (SAU), envisioned by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a progressive regional forum, faces a decline in the enrollment of international students. Established in 2010, SAU was conceived as a collaborative initiative among eight SAARC countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
1. Protests and Stipend Issues:
– In 2022, students protested demanding higher stipends and fair representation in redressal committees, leading to a clash with the administration.
– Decline in international student enrollment and discouragement among existing students due to low stipends and perceived hostility from the administration.
2. Visa Woes:
– Students reported concerns over visa issues, including a shift from special visas to regular student visas, causing renewal difficulties.
– Denial of visas to Pakistani students and challenges faced by Afghan students due to the lack of a functional Indian diplomatic mission.
3. Governance Challenges:
– Delayed campus construction, with the first convocation held six years after classes began in 2010.
– Governance issues, including a lack of a governing body-approved president since 2019, hindering decision-making and accountability.
– Allegations of political influence in the governing body, requiring a shift towards academic representation for balanced decision-making.
4. Financial Struggles:
– Pending contributions from member nations, leading to financial mismanagement and stipend cuts.
– Financial disputes involving faculty members, including the suspension of four professors allegedly inciting protests.
– Lack of funds impacting the operational cost-sharing agreement among member nations.
5. Research and Academic Reputation:
– Challenges in academic recognition and research output, with concerns raised about the absence of patents despite having a biotechnology department for over a decade.
– Critics argue that SAU has failed to establish itself as a reputable institution despite having larger funding and regional advantages compared to other universities.
– Experts suggest India taking the lead in initiating a sub-regional partnership to revitalize SAARC relations, leveraging SAU as a primary regional platform.
-Emphasis on overcoming generational baggage, fostering collaboration among nations, and increasing economic and social exchange in the South Asian region.
While SAU was conceived as a beacon of regional cooperation in education, its journey has been marked by challenges that necessitate strategic interventions for the institution to align with Manmohan Singh’s visionary goals.
