The government has selected 13 colleges to be granted academic autonomy. The final list, which includes two government colleges and 11 aided ones, will be forwarded to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for approval.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting chaired by Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb here on Monday. According to sources in the Department of Higher Education, the two government colleges which will be granted academic autonomy are University College, Thiruvananthapuram, and Maharajas College, Ernakulam. Among aided colleges that will be recommended to UGC for autonomy are: Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram; Fatima Mata National College, Kollam; St Teresa’s College, Ernakulam; Sacred Heart College, Thevara and Rajagiri College, Ernakulam; SB College, Changanassery; Christ College, Irinjalakkuda; St Thomas College, Thrissur; MES Mampad College, Malappuram; St Joseph’s College, Devagiri, Farook College, Kozhikode, sources said.
“The Autonomy Approval Committee will also consider the applications of a few colleges, which have received accreditation after the autonomy process was kick-started, before sending the final list to the UGC,” said a senior official. Colleges which will be given autonomy can frame their own curriculum, prepare question papers, conduct examinations and submit the mark lists to the University. The University will approve it and grant degree and diploma to candidates recommended by the colleges. However, the University to which the colleges are affiliated can cancel or suspend their autonomy and impose fines in case any irregularities are detected or in case of any violation of UGC norms. The rules governing the Universities are in for an amendment as a separate charter for autonomous colleges will have to be incorporated. Colleges will have to set up their own governing and academic councils, board of studies and finance committees which till now existed only in varsities. Autonomous colleges will also have their own Controller of Examinations.