Autonomous colleges needed

SURAT, June 8: At a time when the number of autonomous colleges and educational institutions is increasing in states like Maharashtra, Karna...

SURAT, June 8: At a time when the number of autonomous colleges and educational institutions is increasing in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, there are barely two such institutions, one each in Nadiad and Bhavnagar, in Gujarat.

In case of the South Gujarat University there is simply no provision for autonomous college in the SGU Act. Sardar Vallabhbhai Regional Engineering college, which is affiliated to the SGU, has sought autonomous status, but its application is pending for the last two years.

The lack of autonomous institutions in Gujarat came to the fore during the visit to the SGU by Joint Secretary of the University Grants Commission8217;s Western Regional Office N K Jain.

An autonomous college enjoys autonomy in everything, from curriculum, teaching methods to the examination system. The decision on granting autonomy to any college or institution is taken jointly by the UGC, the State government and the university concerned. Jain said applications seeking autonomous status from Gujarat institutions would be taken up for discussion with the State government.

Meanwhile, Jain at a meeting with principals of various city colleges urged them to approach the UGC frequently. Though the UGC was ready to give grants, not many attractive proposals were being put forward, he regretted.

He said the colleges should feel free to approach the commission for problems related to finance or education. The commission could offer grants for buying laboratory equipment and campus development among other things.

He highlighted the recently started schemes like career development of teachers which will benefit them with fellowships; from juniormost to professor levels. The commission has increased allowances for holding conferences and seminars by 70 to 150 per cent.

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The upper ceiling of expenditure incurred in organising local conferences and seminars has been increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000. The same limit for holding state-level conferences has been hiked to Rs 65,000 from Rs 35,000. In case of international seminars, organising college or institutions can receive an amount up to Rs 1.5 lakh; the earlier ceiling being Rs 50,000.