Kolkata: Scottish Church College on Monday applied to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for autonomous status. Madhumanjari Mandal, the principal of the college, said, "We have been recommended by NAAC to apply for autonomy. So, before the five-year tenure was over, we have to submit an appeal that we did." The college has also sent a letter to the University of Calcutta requesting a no-objection certificate (NOC).
Background of the Application
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 2022 recommended that the college apply for autonomy and stated that the application must be submitted to the UGC one year before the end of the five-year tenure. That tenure will be completed in June next year. Following the norms, the college submitted its application on Monday. "We have submitted the application along with all the necessary documents," Mandal added.
Planned New Courses
After receiving autonomous status, the college plans to introduce several new major courses, such as sociology, psychology, and statistics, along with other new-age courses. Emerging fields like artificial intelligence and data science are also under consideration for expansion. The 196-year-old institution intends to redesign its curriculum and introduce new-age programmes that will help students gain knowledge while preparing them for the job market, but only after obtaining autonomous status.
Infrastructure Developments
The college's second campus at the Ogilvie campus, near the main campus, is nearing completion. The new building is almost ready, and departments such as commerce and BBA are expected to shift there. Other new courses in the pipeline will also operate from this second campus.
Other Colleges Seeking Autonomy
The 114-year-old Loreto College has already submitted its application to the UGC for autonomous status and has received an NOC from the University of Calcutta. The college is now awaiting final approval from the UGC. Meanwhile, Behala College received autonomous status last year and has introduced subjects like BSc programmes in cyber security, multimedia, design and web development, and BCA, for which admissions are currently underway. College authorities said they are satisfied with the student response to these new subjects, as the redesigned curriculum has attracted students, which was only possible after receiving autonomous status.
