The University Grants Commission has invited more than a dozen colleges of Delhi University to discuss autonomous status for institutions, breaking with the convention of involving the university in such issues.
Colleges under the university are governed by the DU Act, which has no provision that allows them to deal with the higher education regulator directly on academic matters. The UGC Act allows the regulator to take steps to standardize higher education in the country. Usually, it coordinates with DU on academic issues related to any college.
The UGC has called the principals of St. Stephen’s College, Indraprastha College, Bhaskaracharya College and Miranda House, among others, for the meeting. Sources said the agenda was “to clarify the doubts for autonomy and its related regulations”, adding the UGC would explain the advantages of autonomy and encourage colleges to apply for the status.
Principals of around 35 DU colleges, including St Stephen’s College, Hindu College, Miranda House, SRCC and Daulat Ram, have been called on Friday at the commission’s office. The Delhi University Teachers’ Association has, meanwhile, decided to stage a protest, claiming that the autonomous college scheme is a move towards privatisation.