10 more Mumbai University-affiliated colleges seek autonomy, write to UGC

Various grade ‘A’ colleges from across Mumbai, including Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, SK Somaiya College of Arts and Science, DG Ruparel College of Arts, Science and Commerce and RA Podar College of Commerce and Economics are on the list.

After 13 colleges affiliated to University of Mumbai (MU) received autonomous status, 10 more institutes have filed applications seeking the same.

UGC had earlier mentioned that colleges that get an ‘A’ grade in three consecutive National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) cycles should be awarded the autonomous status. (HT Photo for representation)

Various grade ‘A’ colleges from across the city including Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, S K Somaiya College of Arts and Science, DG Ruparel College of Arts, Science and Commerce, RA Podar College of Commerce and Economics, and Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work, are on the list.

“Since the University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced changes to the autonomy process, the number of applications we received has increased,” said an official from the university.

UGC had earlier mentioned that colleges that get an ‘A’ grade in three consecutive National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) cycles should be awarded the autonomous status.

This was also done to reduce burden of universities with hundreds of colleges affiliated to them. University of Mumbai for example has over 750 affiliated colleges.

The new guidelines, referred to as University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations, 2018, also states that henceforth, colleges with a NAAC score of 3.51 and above shall be considered for autonomous status “without onsite visit by the expert committee” of UGC.

An autonomous status gives colleges the freedom to set up a curriculum and hold exams, while degrees will be issued by the university.

With Kalyan’s Birla College and Sophia College for Women recently being granted autonomy by UGC, at present, the total count of MU-affiliated colleges with autonomous status stands at 13.

“We have been granted ‘A’ grade in three consecutive cycles and have been assured that the process will be less cumbersome for us,” said Sobhana Vasudevan, principal, RA Podar College in Matunga.

She added that her college plans to re-introduce internal assessment examinations and bring about changes to the system to make it more student-friendly.

“We are waiting to hear from the UGC soon,” she said.