TGCHE objects to UGC granting autonomous status to colleges without consulting it

The Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) has strongly objected to the University Grants Commission (UGC) granting autonomous status to several engineering and degree colleges in Telangana State. The TGCHE, which has written a letter to UGC on the issue, claims that it was not consulted in decision-making process.

Hyderabad: The Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) has strongly objected to the University Grants Commission (UGC) granting autonomous status to several engineering and degree colleges in Telangana State. The TGCHE, which has written a letter to UGC on the issue, claims that it was not consulted in decision-making process.

In the letter, the TGCHE officials expressed concerns that academic standards are being overlooked. Autonomous status is being granted to a large number of institutions that do not have sufficient infrastructure, including labs and faculty members, officials said.

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Officials fear that granting autonomy status to such institutions could deteriorate higher technical education and insisted that the UGC must consult TGCHE before granting autonomy.

Once granted autonomous status, the institutions conduct exams, evaluate the answer scripts besides declaring results on their own for 10 years. The University’s role is limited to issuing NOCs to institutions seeking autonomy status and degree certificates.

Given the autonomous status to colleges, parents prefer to admit their wards in these institutions with a view that pass percentage in them is high compared to others. This has been one of the reasons behind seats being increased drastically in these autonomous colleges.

Previously, institutions were accorded autonomous status after securing NAAC A grade or at least NBA 675 score in three courses. This norm, according to officials, has been relaxed to NAAC B grade that led to several colleges approaching the UGC for autonomous status.