The Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) has asked 25 government colleges selected for academic autonomy to submit proposals to the respective universities before Thursday.
While colleges are busy preparing their proposals that will be submitted to the college development council of their affiliating universities, there is little clarity on when the colleges will get the `2 crore one-time grant to improve infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the DCE has made public its report to the State government on how it wants to implement autonomy in the 25 colleges, as promised in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s budget, which had provided for a one-time grant and its break-up.
Selected colleges are expected to set aside `40 lakh each, out of the total `2 crore grant, for state-of-the-art examination and laboratory infrastructure. Each college has been asked to set up an examination section with independent accommodation consisting of a strong room, a valuation hall (internal and external), and an exclusive office room with furniture.
On the laboratory front, each college should equip labs with the latest technology, the necessary chemicals, consumables, water supply and other facilities. An adequately furnished language lab, a media hall, a sports gym and a digital lecture facility should be in place.
“We have had an orientation session on how to prepare our proposal at the University Grants Commission (UGC) level. Once our application reaches the UGC through universities, they will send an expert committee and we should be prepared to show them that we are eligible for autonomy,” said K S Venkateshappa, principal, Government Science College, Nrupathunga Road.
He said “preparing for autonomy” depends on when the State government releases the one-time grant. “We have received no communication from DCE on when we will get the funds. I think it depends on when the finance department will give its nod for it. Anyhow, we are going ahead with our proposals.”
K R Ravikumar, principal, Government Maharani’s Arts, Commerce and Management College for Women, Seshadri Road, said he is unsure if the grant will be enough to fully satisfy autonomy prerequisites. “Besides, we can use the grants according to the breakup provided only,” he said.
Workshops for faculty, WiFi on campus, e-libraries, drinking water facilities, internal quality assurance cells, office automation, surveillance systems and computerisation of exam activities are some of the requirements colleges have been asked to fulfil with the one-time grant.