Date:08/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/08/stories/2005070817850400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Autonomy for city college

Staff Reporter

Move likely to give a boost to campus recruitment

BANGALORE: The State Government has decided to grant autonomy to 28 colleges. Among the six colleges in Bangalore to benefit from the decision is Mount Carmel College.

The immediate benefits of academic autonomy for students of this college will be campus recruitment. The college can have its own career guidance and counselling cell and can offer honours courses, considered closer to a Master's degree by several universities and potential employers. Autonomous status will enable the college develop its own courses and combination of subjects, redesign the curriculum, its evaluation system, admissions procedure, conduct of examinations and announcement of results. However, the college has to follow guidelines set by the University Grants Commission, the State Government and Bangalore University.

To understand the implications of academic autonomy — as distinct from financial autonomy — the college held a discussion among the faculty and student representatives on Thursday. The panelists included the Principal, Sister Jesuina, Mrinalini Sebastian of the Centre for Study of Culture and Society, lecturer Shalini Pujari and students Rohini and Aditi.

The faculty expressed concern over the possible overloading of work and job security. The critical role of the college management as the key to solving problems related to autonomy was also raised.

Mount Carmel College was established in 1948 and currently has over 5,000 students, including those in PU, and 220 faculty members.