1. What is autonomy?

Autonomy is a functional status given to the colleges, by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and University. It provides greater flexibility towards purely academic development for upliftment of academic standards and excellence.

2. What is the need for autonomy?

• The affiliating system of colleges was originally designed when their number in a university was small. The system has now become unwieldy and it is becoming increasingly difficult for a university to attend to the varied needs of individual colleges.
• The regulations of the university and its common system, governing all colleges alike, irrespective of their characteristic strengths, weaknesses and locations, have affected the academic development of individual colleges.
• Colleges that have the potential for offering programmes of a higher standard do not have the freedom to modernize their curricula or make them locally relevant or globally competent.
• The Education Commission (1964-66) recommended college autonomy, which, in essence, is the instrument for promoting academic excellence.

3. What are the objectives of autonomy as per the National Policy on Education? Or
  What kind of flexibility / freedom is available for autonomous college?

An autonomous college will have the freedom to:

• Determine and prescribe its own courses of study and syllabi, and restructure and redesign the courses to suit local needs;
• Offer student-centric wide choice in courses, wide range of electives and freedom in choice of courses.
• Periodical change in syllabus as per changing needs
• Prescribe rules for admission in consonance with the reservation policy of the state government;
• Evolve methods of assessment of students’ performance, the conduct of examinations and  notification of results;
• Use modern tools of educational technology to achieve higher standards and greater creativity;
• Promote healthy practices such as community service, extension activities, projects for the benefit of the society at large, neighbourhood programmes, etc.

4. Who provides autonomous status to colleges?

The University Grants Commission (UGC) – an autonomous body of the Ministry of HRD, Govt of India is entrusted provide autonomous status for six years after verification by the UGC itself and the affiliating University/State Government. The parent University (University of Mumbai) will confer the status of autonomy upon a college that is permanently affiliated, with the concurrence of the State Government and the University Grants Commission.

5. What about the fee structure in autonomous colleges?

The fees charged for traditional BA/BSc/B.Com/MA/MSc/MCom degrees will be according to the parent university norms. But for add-on, additional courses, Vocational Component, Skill Improvement programme, moderate separate fees could be charged as per UGC/University norms.

6. What is the benefit to the Students and Teachers of autonomous colleges?

An autonomous college carries a prestigious image for the students and the teachers. Autonomy reflects efforts for excellence in academic performances, capability of self-governance and enhancement in the quality of education. Autonomy is actually earned out of our continued past efforts on academic performances, our capability of self-governance and the kind of quality education we offer. Standardization of college examinations only benefits admission officers in postgraduate programs. It also provides a convenient yardstick for employers to judge prospective employees.

7. Who are the stakeholders to avail the benefits of autonomy?

The major stakeholders of an autonomous college are:
a) Management b) teaching and non-teaching staff b) Students c) Parent/Guardian d) Alumni e) Local community

8. Who grants the degree in an autonomous college?

The Parent University (University of Mumbai) will award degree to the students evaluated and recommended by the autonomous college. The name of the college will be mentioned in the degree certificates.

9. When will the effects of Autonomy at R.A. Podar College begin?

The college has been granted autonomy from the academic year 2019-20 for 10 years.

10. What will be the changes in the syllabus under Autonomy?

Under Autonomy, the college shall have the freedom to frame and design the syllabus prepared by the Board of Studies and approved by the Academic Council and the Governing Body of R. A. Podar College of Commerce and Economics (Autonomous).

11. How does the examination system function in an autonomous college?

The Chief Controller of examination shall be in charge of the examinations at R. A. Podar College .Learners’ performance is examined internally and externally. Continuous assessment and range of assessment options to ensure fairness and justice to students, various alternatives are adopted in the examination system.

12.Who will come under the new system of assessment?

All students enrolled from 2019-20 shall come under the new assessment pattern.

13 .What will be the new exam paper pattern?

The new system would be a combination of Internal and external evaluation. Refer to the examination guidelines for more details.(link)

14. Who will come under the new syllabus?

All students enrolled in First year, from 2019-20, that is F. Y.Bcom, , F.Y.B.com(Actuarial studies ) F.Y BMS and M com (Part I)

15. Who declares the result?

The Chief Controller of examination of R.A.Podar college will declare the result

16. Will the credits system of grading change under autonomy?

The credit system would be developed the Chief Controller of Examination of R. A. Podar College of Commerce and Economics (Autonomous).

Vasant Bahar Magazine