Mumbai: “Autonomy helps add new courses, introduce new subjects, decide examination schedules and improve infrastructure independently,” claim authorities of colleges seeking autonomous status. Several colleges of the city have applied to the state for autonomy, in order to gain academic flexibility and avail of financial grants. Over 70 colleges within Maharashtra have already secured autonomous status and several new applicants are lined up this year.
The trend was set in motion after St Xavier’s College, Fort, secured this status. Martin Gonsalves, a teacher said, “It was the first college of the city to function independently and go beyond the affiliation of the Mumbai University (MU). This drew the attention of other colleges as they wanted to follow this trend of having the power to make their own rules.”
College principals claim autonomy helps them take decisions independently, without having to go through the process of seeking permissions from the MU. The principal of a south Mumbai college said, “We can add new courses in order to provide multiple options for students independently. Also, we can change the curriculum according to the new courses and do not have to stick to the rudimentary syllabus.”
Examinations can be conducted at a specific time, in sync with college events and festivals. Nafeesa Ahmed, a senior teacher said, “Students often complain about missing out on events because of the fixed examination schedules decided by the university. But now, we can make our own examination time-table and students can participate in all extra-curricular activities.”
Apart from academic freedom, colleges are mainly keen on autonomy because of the financial grants which they can avail, upon securing this status. Colleges can apply for grants from the state government and those available under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a holistic scheme of the centre for development of higher education. College authorities reveal they use these grants to improve infrastructure, set up new facilities and enhance existing campus services. The principal of a suburban college said, “The state does not provide us with sufficient financial aid to expand or upgrade our existing infrastructure.”
