TV
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken serious note of several issues concerning Universities and grant to autonomy to affiliated colleges.
In its latest notice, the UGC has asked varsities to implement the University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations, 2023.
As per UGC, College autonomy is instrumental in promoting broad based quality education and excellence.
Apart from this, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 also emphasizes Higher Education Institutions (HEls) to offer programmes with high quality teaching, research, and community engagement.
In line with the NEP 2020, the Commission has notified University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations, 2023.
What The Regulations Say
The Regulations envisage a pivotal role of universities for autonomy of colleges.
What UGC Observed?
UGC has noticed that several universities are not responding on the UGC portal in the processing of the application of the affiliated colleges for grant of autonomous status within the 30 working days or delay in issuing notification within 30 days for a college to function as an autonomous entity once the autonomous status is conferred on the college by UGC.
It has also been noticed that some Universities do not allow complete autonomy to the autonomous colleges in the matter of designing syllabus, introduction of new courses, and evolving methods of assessment of students' performance etc as per provision of the Regulations.
Certain Universities ask the colleges to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)/Agreement having terms and conditions against the provisions of the UGC Regulations.
The affiliating universities are requested to implement the University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations. 2023 in letter and spirit, said UGC in its notice.
If implemented, it will greatly assist in achieving the objectives of autonomy of colleges to enhance quality of higher education in the country.
