For example, some of the requirements are for colleges to have a National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation and a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.5, be known for commendable results and academic performance, good presence of a permanent faculty and sound infrastructure and facilities.
“Among all other conditions, a very important requirement is for colleges to fall under Sections 2f (recognition and affiliation) and 12b (Central assistance and grants) of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956,” said DCE director B S Bhagyalakshmi.
Two teams from the department have been dispatched to do the rounds of various autonomous colleges in the City, such as National College and Mount Carmel College, with the aim to study them and check their functioning under an autonomous status. Another team has been sent to Government College (autonomous) in Mandya.
The rationale behind the move is to empower these colleges and give them academic freedom in order to carry out their own plans and programmes.
“Colleges will be able to initiate changes in their own syllabi, introduce new courses in line with the latest demand, get some freedom in finances and even be able to constitute their own academic council. Overall, the aim is to improve quality, time management as well as efficiency of colleges,” said Bhagyalakshmi.
“Besides government funds, there is also the possibility of the UGC granting special funds for this initiative.”
Once this plan falls in place, there will be a review committee to gauge the progress and performance of the colleges under their new status. Based on the recommendations of this committee, it will be decided whether or not to further the autonomy of the colleges. The colleges themselves will have to prepare a progress report of their achievements and initiatives.
“This committee will review the kind of changes that a college has brought in, whether these are progressive or otherwise and areas where finances have been used. It will also make suggestions for improvement. A review of this committee will be held probably every five to seven years,” said Bhagyalakshmi.
Under the conditions laid down for autonomy, it is no surprise if better-established government colleges like Maharani College, Government Science College, RC College of Commerce and Management in the City get autonomy. Other well-known government colleges in Hassan, Chitradurga, Bidar, Kadur and Chikkaballapur may also be chosen.
Government Science College principal K S Venkateshappa is of the opinion that the move will greatly help colleges in the timely conduct of academic activities.
Students under Bangalore University have time and again been bogged down by delays in evaluations and declaration of results. “If we had autonomy, results would have been declared within eight days of the examinations. Academic autonomy will truly be a boon for colleges, as they will be able to conduct their own evaluations, have their own board of examinations and even declare their own results,” Venkateshappa said.
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