COIMBATORE: Universities can no longer hold on to applications of affiliated colleges seeking autonomy status. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has set a deadline of three months before which a decision on the application needs to be taken by the university.
The UGC has incorporated a new clause in the guidelines for autonomous colleges in the XII Plan period. The new clause asks universities to formulate a transparent policy to deal with proposals submitted by its affiliated colleges for autonomous status.
The university’s decision should be communicated to the respective college within three months from the receipt of the proposal.
In case the proposal is rejected by the university, the decision should be communicated to the college through a ‘speaking order’, the guideline says.
If the university fails to take any decision on the proposal within three months from the receipt of the proposal, it shall be presumed that the university has no objection to the submission of the proposal by the college to the UGC for autonomous status, it adds.
The revised guidelines for autonomous colleges by the UGC proposes to increase the number of autonomous colleges to spread the culture of autonomy. The target is to make 10 per cent of eligible colleges autonomous by the end of the XII Plan period.
The criterion for identification of institutions for grant of autonomy includes academic reputation and previous performance in university examinations, co-curricular and extension activities. Colleges can also apply for autonomy after they have completed a minimum of 10 years and have accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) or National Board of Accreditation (NBA).