Mumbai: The Mumbai University has approved a proposal to establish 145 new colleges with 17,371 seats in Maharashtra. 10,883 extra seats will be created in the existing ones from the academic year 2009-10.

These seats will be created in disciplines such as arts, commerce (regular and self-financed courses), science (regular and self-financed courses), mass media, law, education, and management studies.

Vijay Khole, Vice-Chancellor of the Mumbai University said, "The recommendations has been sent to the state government and we are awaiting their nod. The approved list can be expected by June-July."

The government will clear the proposals after assessing the requirement. The proposals, sent by the universities will go to a task force, which will go through all the recommendations.

"We are expecting the final permission by June-July 2009," said J. S. Saharia, Principal Secretary, higher and technical education department.

Out of total 145 proposed new colleges, 127 will offer arts, science, commerce, law, and education courses. The rest 18 will offer engineering and pharmacy courses.