Three Trichy colleges set to become state varsities

True to its status as an education hub, three colleges from the city figure in the list of colleges identified by the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) to be accorded the power to grant degrees, a privilege that is hitherto reserved for the universities. The 45-college list has 11 from the state.

Colleges with the triple qualifications of autonomous status, 'A' grade from NAAC and identification as "a centre for potential excellence" are eligible to receive the status of State universities.

The three Trichy colleges eligible for the coveted status are St Joseph's, Jamal Mohamed and National College. The other colleges in the State are Loyola (Chennai), Kongunadu Arts and Science, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women (both in Coimbatore), Vellalar College for Women (Erode), AVC College, (Myladuthurai, Trichy district), Fatima College, (Madurai), The Standard Fireworks Rajaratnam College for Women, (Sivakasi, Virudhunagar district), and St Xavier's, Palayamkottai (Tirunelveli district).

The principals of all the 45 institutions had been invited to New Delhi on October 7 and were briefed about the major policy initiative that comes in the wake of the government clearing the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a central-government initiative for higher education in India. Under the scheme run by the MHRD, autonomous colleges desirous of converting themselves into universities will be provided with funding up to Rs 55 crore each for infrastructural development. The total amount earmarked for this scheme in the 12th Five-Year Plan is Rs 2,475 crore.

After informing the principals about the government initiative, the principals were also asked to give their feedback to the government.

Principal of St Joseph's Dr F Andrew welcomed the central government's initiative to improve higher education. "We welcome the idea so long as the government funding would continue, and our minority rights would not be compromised," Dr Andrew said.

Former principal of Jamal Mohammed Dr Khader Mohideen, who retired in May this year and now heads the science department, said, "If all the grants are continued after the one-off grant of Rs 55 crore, then it should be welcomed. All the present facilities given to autonomous colleges including post-retirement benefits to the staff should be continued. If so, then we will welcome the initiative." National College principal Anbarasu, said: "In the October 7 meeting we were told that the State funding will continue and we hope for the best. The one-time grant for infrastructure development is welcome."

Critics say that the power to grant degrees are given only to Universities, and if colleges take over that domain, the Tamil Nadu Private Colleges (Regulation) Act, 1976 will become meaningless, and not binding on the colleges. The government might have hidden agenda by which the higher education will become possible only for a chosen few who could afford to buy it, and the teachers will have to surrender to the mercy of the highhanded managements.
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