Autonomous colleges with academic credibility and track record of quality performance may soon get powers to issue degrees even before they acquire the university status if the University Grants Commission (UGC) accepts the recommendations of a committee constituted by it.

The committee, headed by former Madras University Vice-Chancellor S.P. Thyagarajan, has suggested that autonomous colleges with track-record of quality performance justified by their accreditation profile, and colleges accredited with ‘A' Grade by the NAAC can be upgraded as universities. Till the time they are elevated to the university status, the UGC can take appropriate steps to empower such colleges to become degree - awarding institutions.

Model colleges

However, it cautioned that all categories of up-gradation as universities need to be provided only after due academic and administrative assessment processes. Another suggestion the committee made was all Central and State universities could have five to 10 constituent, autonomous colleges, to be mentored by the parent university as “model colleges” so that they can be emulated by other affiliated colleges.

The 12-member expert committee was constituted to look into the affiliation system and suggest reforms. The committee felt that affiliation system needed to be strengthened with number of affiliating colleges to each university reduced to not more than 100 colleges. Old universities are burdened with hundreds of affiliated colleges thus affecting the administration.

For example, Osmania University had nearly 1,000 colleges affiliated to it, but they have been considerably reduced now with new universities established.

In fact, the committee looked into this issue and suggested establishment of universities in every district where universities don't exist.

Establishment of campuses of the respective regional universities catering to the colleges of that area, specifically at rural, backward or tribal areas, could reduce the affiliation burden on one hand and accelerate educational and economic up-gradation of that area on the other, the committee felt.

Cluster college system

The report also favoured promotion of cluster college system through provision of financial assistance for facilitating them to evolve as cluster college universities. On the lines of University with Potential for Excellence (UPE) scheme, the committee said that the colleges could also be identified under the Colleges with Potential for Excellence (CPE) scheme and financial assistance be extended.

#Expert committee feels affiliating colleges to each university should be not more than 100

#Establishment of varsities suggested in every district to reduce affiliation burden