BENGALURU: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has awarded the College with Potential for Excellence (CPE) status to 16 colleges in state. These are among the 128 in the country which were granted the status this year.
Of the 16 colleges, four are in Bengaluru — Maharani Science College for Women, SJR College of Science, Arts and Commerce, Vijaya College and Malleswaram Ladies Association First Grade College for Women.
The status is awarded based on inspections regarding quality of education, student-teacher ratio, basic facilities and research projects taken up by the college.
The ‘Potential for Excellence’ tag is the first step towards achieving autonomy for colleges. Institutions with this status will also receive annual grants of `1.5 crore from UGC to further strengthen the existing infrastructure.
Though autonomous status can be achieved in three years following the Potential for Excellence status, private colleges are considering formation of ‘Cluster University’, by combining a few colleges that provide quality education. This, they say, will reduce the burden autonomous institutions face.
Colleges awarded with the title
1. Maharani College for Women, Bengaluru
2. SJR College of Science, Arts and Commerce, Bengaluru
3. KLE Society’s Raja Lakhamagouda Science Institute, Belagavi
4. KSS Arts, Commerce and Science College, Gadag
5. Field Marshal K M Cariappa College, Madikeri
6. University College of Science, Tumakuru
7. Sri Bhuvanendra College, Karkala
8. University College, Mangaluru
9. Gokhale Centenary College, Ankola
10. Vijaya College, Bengaluru
11. Malleswaram Ladies Association First Grade College for Women, Bengaluru
12. Vivekananda College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Puttur
13. JSS Law College, Mysuru
14. KLE Society’s Basavaprabhu Kore Arts, Science and Commerce College, Chikkodi
15. All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru
16. KLE Society’s G I Bagewadi Arts, Science, Commerce and PG College, Nippani