Colleges in dilemma on autonomy

Colleges in dilemma on autonomy

PUNE: Even after a brief meeting on ‘autonomy’, eligible colleges for autonomy status are still doubtful about the benefits they will get after gaining the status. The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) held a meeting with colleges that have A++, A+ and A grade by the National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) to discuss about autonomy on Friday.

Principals of 82 eligible colleges from Pune, Nashik and Ahmednagar, management representatives, representatives from autonomous colleges, Vice-Chancellor (VC) of SPPU Nitin Karmalkar, Registrar Arvind Shaligram, Pro-VC NS Umarani were also present.

The purpose of the meeting was to create an awareness among colleges regarding the benefits of autonomy. As per university grants commission (UGC) guidelines, universities have been directed to prefer colleges with A++, A+ and A grade by NAAC to award autonomy status.

Principals’ doubts
“On one hand, it is being emphasised that a nationalised course should be set in the country and similarly, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has formulated nationalised management course for all while on the contrary, autonomy is being promoted on terms of freedom in creating new courses and syllabus. This will create a difference in education. The fees will also differ, it can be hiked. Instead, the university has been conferred with the autonomous status and has similar freedom, therefore, it can make new courses and tell affiliated colleges to follow it,” said SM Rathod, Principal of Abasaheb Garware College of Commerce.

“Not only this, autonomy is said to increase the quality of education. There are around 52 per cent vacant positions of principals and over 40 per cent vacancy for professors in the State. With this condition, it is hard to improve the quality of education,” added Rathod.

Sanjay Kharat, Principal of Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Ganeshkhind, said, “The clauses under UGC guidelines and Maharashtra Public University Act, 2016, for granting autonomy and forming new courses are stated differently. Moreover, the SPPU has not cleared about whether after autonomy, colleges will recruit professors or staff members on the basis of reservation as proposed by the State government. Because autonomy gives the privilege of hiring their own staff as per their rules and regulations. Secondly, if a college is unable to maintain the status then what will happen to the courses which were formed during the period of autonomy?”

University to send the letter to the State govt
SPPU will now prepare a report of all queries and suggestions received from colleges and will submit it to the State government. 

“After the colleges are granted autonomy, the responsibility of recruiting 85 per cent of staff will be upon UGC. Also, with new status how will the changes be in fee structure and students’ reservation was discussed. Although, many colleges have positively supported the idea, there is some confusion and clarity is required,” said Vijay Khare, academic council member of SPPU.

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