THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted autonomous status to seven colleges in the state for the 2014-15 academic year.
The colleges are: Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram; Fatima Mata National College, Kollam; SB College, Changanassery; St Teresa’s College, Ernakulam; Sacred Heart College, Thevara; Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi and St Thomas College, Thrissur.
These seven colleges were among the 13 shortlisted by the State Government for grant of autonomous status. The other colleges where the UGC team conducted inspections were: Maharajas College, Ernakulam; University College, Thiruvananthapuram; Christ College, Irinjalakuda and St Joseph’s College, Devagiri. “Though the UGC expert team conducted inspection of the Maharajas College, Ernakulam and submitted its report, the Commission has sought a report from the principal of the college on the numerous complaints from teachers organisations against granting of autonomy. After considering the report from the college, a final decision on granting autonomous status to the college will be taken,” a member of the expert team said.
The decision on granting autonomous status to University College, Christ College and St Joseph’s College are yet to be taken as the Bangalore regional office of the UGC has not yet forwarded the report of the expert committee to the UGC headquarters.