11 UGC-funded Community Colleges to Come Up in TS, AP

HYDERABAD: Around 11 University Grants Commission (UGC)-funded community colleges are likely to come up in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh this year. The UGC will provide around Rs 1 crore to the colleges which have adequate infrastructure to conduct additional classes for community colleges. 

Representatives of 11 degree colleges from both the states would present their proposals to the UGC on Tuesday in Delhi. Once the proposals are approved by the national body, the colleges can start the courses from the next academic year. 

Both the states already have community colleges in some of the district centres. They are now being run by the technical education department. But the UGC-funded colleges will be completely managed by the respective colleges which establish them. This year, the UGC is planning to fund around 500 community colleges across the country.

These colleges will offer employment-based courses to students who have completed  Intermediate. Those who successfully complete their courses in community colleges will get certificate from Sector Skill Council, said Ch Masthanaiah, principal of Rajahmundry Government Degree College. ‘’We are planning to accommodate 50 students in a batch if we get the approval from the UGC,’’ he said.

Any college having facilities to accommodate students in vocational and employment-based courses can set up  community colleges, according to UGC. They will offer professional and technical courses with minimum fees. Students can study from level 4 to level 6 and get employment once they finish their courses. They can also pursue higher studies with these degrees . 

The community college scheme was launched by the UGC in 2012 to set up alternative institutes to offer education at affordable fees. The main focus of these colleges was to provide both vocational and skill development as well as traditional courses.

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