Panaji: The Goa University on Thursday withdrew admissions to its newly announced integrated five-year master’s programmes, which were to be rolled out from the 2026-27 academic year.The university’s move follows TOI report that the Goa University was going to start the integrated five-year master’s programmes without prior approval from state govt.In a notification, registrar S N Dhuri said, “The Goa University has decided to withdraw the notification for admissions to the newly introduced nine integrated programmes for the academic year 2026-27.”So far, only seven students have enrolled for the programmes.TOI had also reported that governor P A Gajapathi Raju, who is also the Goa University chancellor, had sought a detailed report from vice-chancellor Harilal Menon on the integrated five-year master’s degree programmes.The report was supposed to be submitted to the governor on Friday. However, the university withdrew the notification for admissions before the report was submitted.The governor had requested the details based on a letter from the forum of principals and representatives of managements of non-govt colleges in Goa. “Vice-chancellor has to submit the details by this week,” a senior govt official had said. Based on the report, the governor was scheduled to review the matter and make a decision.The Goa University had decided to admit students passing Class XII. The move witnessed friction between the university and govt-aided colleges, which feared further decline in enrolment of students to the existing undergraduate courses in the colleges. The forum has been opposing Goa University’s move to start the new courses.On Feb 18, the directorate of higher education had instructed the university to ensure that no such programme is introduced without prior approval from state govt, since it would have a cascading effect and financial burden on govt, direct or indirect.
