Higher Education
Colleges in South India
Educational News Today
Tuesday, 02 February, 2010
Chennai: With the government actively favouring the upgrading of colleges into unitary universities, many leading aided arts and science colleges in TN have set their eyes on the unique status. Managements of colleges administered by both minorities as well as non-minorities have expressed support for taking the idea forward.
However, the Association of University Teachers and the Tamil Nadu Government Collegiate Teachers Association have rejected invitations to present their views on the subject before a fivemember expert panel constituted by the government.
Both organisations have raised concerns about insecurity in their service conditions and the likely commercialisation of higher education if the government withdraws aid to the proposed unitary universities.
Nonetheless, the Association of Management of Private Colleges (AMPC), of which many well known colleges are members, has submitted a representation to the committee arguing that “the concept of unitary university is an invaluable entry point for the further growth and development of aided colleges.”
However, the association has cautioned the authorities not to compromise on quality while selecting colleges for upgrading them lest they meet the same fate as the deemed universities.
“We have argued that only colleges that have been in existence for a minimum of 30 years, preferably autonomous institutions, should be considered for unitary universities status. These institutions
hould also have acquired the ‘A’ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council as per the latest norms. Besides, they must not be permitted to launch distance education programmes after becoming universities,” AMPC president M Aruchami told TOI on Monday.
The association has also said that the government must through legislation guarantee protection in terms of pay scales and service conditions to the existing staff.
Earlier, the Loyola College had on behalf of the minority colleges, too, supported the concept of unitary universities but wanted the continuity of government funding.
A unitary university can constitute its own academic council, senate and board of studies to launch new courses, revise curriculum and innovate on academic programmes. It can award degrees to its students. Unlike traditional universities, a unitary university cannot grant affiliation to colleges. In TN, the Anna University was a unitary university till the early 2000
Aided colleges eye unitary univ status
Chennai: With the government actively favouring the upgrading of colleges into unitary universities, many leading aided arts and science colleges in TN have set their eyes on the unique status. Managements of colleges administered by both minorities as well as non-minorities have expressed support for taking the idea forward.
However, the Association of University Teachers and the Tamil Nadu Government Collegiate Teachers Association have rejected invitations to present their views on the subject before a fivemember expert panel constituted by the government.
Nonetheless, the Association of Management of Private Colleges (AMPC), of which many well known colleges are members, has submitted a representation to the committee arguing that “the concept of unitary university is an invaluable entry point for the further growth and development of aided colleges.”
However, the association has cautioned the authorities not to compromise on quality while selecting colleges for upgrading them lest they meet the same fate as the deemed universities.
“We have argued that only colleges that have been in existence for a minimum of 30 years, preferably autonomous institutions, should be considered for unitary universities status. These institutions
hould also have acquired the ‘A’ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council as per the latest norms. Besides, they must not be permitted to launch distance education programmes after becoming universities,” AMPC president M Aruchami told TOI on Monday.
The association has also said that the government must through legislation guarantee protection in terms of pay scales and service conditions to the existing staff.
Earlier, the Loyola College had on behalf of the minority colleges, too, supported the concept of unitary universities but wanted the continuity of government funding.
A unitary university can constitute its own academic council, senate and board of studies to launch new courses, revise curriculum and innovate on academic programmes. It can award degrees to its students. Unlike traditional universities, a unitary university cannot grant affiliation to colleges. In TN, the Anna University was a unitary university till the early 2000
Courtesy: Times of India
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