More colleges in the city have smelled “freedom”.
This month, two colleges in Mumbai and one in Navi Mumbai are among 10 colleges in the State to have received autonomy. With this, the number of autonomous colleges in the State has gone up to 68.
The Hansraj Jivandas College of Education, Khar, and Dr. Bhanuben Mahendra Nanavati College of Home Science, Matunga, along with the Changu Kana Thakur College in Panvel received letters certifying their autonomy this month. Last month, Guru Nanak Khalsa College of Arts Science and Commerce, Matunga, Patkar College of Arts and Science and V.P. Varde College of Commerce and Economics, Goregaon had received autonomy. The University Grants Commission had decided to grant autonomy to these five colleges last year itself.
The colleges have now become eligible for the ₹5-crore funding from the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). While they will soon be receiving the order from Mumbai University, the applications for funding can be submitted in the next few days.
The colleges plan to focus on making their curriculum more robust. “Our objective after getting autonomy is an enhancement of existing programmes as per industry’s requirements. We will also focus on skill development, modifying the assessment system, introducing online courses, enhancing employability skills, increasing the internship period and introducing new need-based programmes,” Prof. Dr. Shilpa Charankar, principal of Dr. BMN College of Home Sciences, said.
Of the 658 autonomous colleges in the country, 68 are from Maharashtra. There are 12 RUSA-funded colleges in the State.
While autonomy can be implemented in the coming academic year, the colleges can integrate the required changes in their curriculum and examination pattern. Meeta Rajivlochan, Principal Secretary and State Project Director, RUSA Maharashtra, said, “These colleges can now bring in development in their curriculum. They can experiment and introduce reforms in their education system. The two segments – examination and curriculum – can see major changes.”
Meanwhile, three more colleges from the city, MMP Women’s College, Poddar College and College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan Institute are awaiting their turn. “They have a National Assessment and Accreditation Society score of over 3.5. They will get their autonomy after evaluation by the authorities,” said a RUSA official.