College heads get classes to learn autonomy benefits

Maharashtra has only eight autonomous colleges as compared to Tamil Nadu’s 85 and Andhra Pradesh’s 34. The autonomy proposals that give only academic autonomy (not financial) are still pending with the government. Academic autonomy will give colleges the freedom to frame their own syllabi and start their own courses.

J Saharia,principal secretary,Higher and Technical Education,said,“For any new course that colleges want to begin,the proposals have to go through a long process involving approvals from the university and the government. By giving academic autonomy,colleges will be able to bring about innovation in their academic programmes. But a lot of colleges hesitate to apply because they have a lot of queries,as autonomy will bring in more responsibility. The workshops are being held to clear their doubts.”

Vatsala Pai,vice principal,Ruia College,Matunga,said,“Our management needs some explanation on some of the clauses. We are looking forward to gaining autonomy so that we can start industry-oriented courses that will help students gain skills and help the industry get able manpower.”

Many college principals said it was finding the composition of the board of governors of the college once it gets autonomy objectionable. “The percentage of college representatives on the board of governors will be very less after it becomes autonomous. Most of the members would be from outside,like government and university officials. How can people who do not belong to the college take decisions for it? But it is true that academic freedom is essential. The current university framework is rigid and lacks quality,” said principal of Vile Parle-based Mithibai college Kiran Mangaonkar.