MUMBAI: Two separate letters have brought the focus back on the Institute of Chemical Technology’s (ICT) future, funding challenges, and institutional status. Both letters approach the issue from different but equally important angles. ICT faculty push for central university status In a letter to the board of governors, ICT faculty members have opposed any move to give up the institute’s ‘deemed-to-be university’ status and convert it into a state university. The letter is a response to recent reports suggesting that ICT may seek state government funding, and a communication from the directorate of technical education about a possible transition to a state technological university model similar to that of the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University. The faculty said such a move could compromise ICT’s autonomy and dilute its unique identity. According to them, once ICT is brought under state law, uniform rules will apply, and special privileges may not be protected. They are also concerned that a focus on revenue generation and policy changes allowing private colleges to become universities may shift priorities away from …