Nagpur: Of the 582 affiliated
colleges having 4.5 lakh students in Nagpur University (NU), GS College of Commerce & Economics is only the fifth to become autonomous.
Having some of the oldest and reputed institutions under it, NU had been trying to lessen the strain on its resources by encouraging colleges to opt for
autonomy, but hasn’t got good response over the years.
Along with GS College, Institute of Science (ISc) and Shivaji Science College too were running to get autonomy. While ISc proposal got stuck because of lack of required teachers, Shivaji Science has dropped the plan after the new management took over earlier this year.
The reluctance of colleges could be seen in their opposition to 50:50 pattern as well. NU top brass say that since autonomy involves a lot of responsibility, colleges don’t want to burden themselves with additional work.
At the same time, NU too is the culprit in sitting over proposals where it dragged its feet in the case of LIT which is keen on autonomy but lack of teachers has stalled the process.
Vice-chancellor SP Kane said hardly four or five proposals for autonomy are pending with the university. “We would be more than happy if more colleges opt for autonomy. But they are unwilling to take it up ,” Kane said.
Pro-VC Pramod Yeole said in the last management council meeting, it was proposed to accord autonomous status to even university departments. “The mathematics department has shown interest. The university has no problem but the colleges must come forward,” Yeole said.
Asked what holds them back, Kane said it brings lots of hard work for the colleges, right from looking after each course to establishing a brand name. “They don’t want to take these responsibility,” he said.
Regarding LIT’s proposal, Kane said 60% process is complete and the remaining procedure would start after inspection by National Board of Accrediation (NBA). “After NBA visit, LIT would apply to AICTE for autonomy,” he said.
Rajesh Pande, principal of Ramdeobaba College of Engineering & Technology principal, says colleges must opt for autonomy since it helps them become learning-centric. “The biggest advantage an institute gets is free hand in academic matters. You can design own syllabus, schedule exams and also update the curriculum as per needs,” he said.
Agreeing with Pande, LIT director Raju Mankar says an autonomous institute puts the best to test. “In university system, the courses and exams are conducted keeping the weakest student in mind. In the process, the top student doesn’t get tested as per his/her capability. Colleges get chance to do new experiments which ultimately bring out the best in the best students,” he said.
Mankar refused to comment on LIT’s autonomy proposal.
