KMV gets autonomous status from the UGC

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 6

Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, a heritage institution here and affiliated to Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, has become the first and only women’s institution in Punjab, to be bestowed with the autonomous status by the UGC-MHRD, Government of India.

The autonomous status is accorded only to promising institutions with a proven record of performance and credibility. The KMV was visited by a high-profile team of the UGC in April and comprised scholars and government officials for taking this decision.

The UGC visiting committee gave its recommendation and the standing committee of the UGC and VC, Guru Nanak Dev University, gave their approval to award the status to the KMV, through their official order.

Highlighting the importance of autonomous colleges, the UGC document on the profile of higher education in India stated, “The only safe and better way to improve the quality of education is to delink most of the colleges from the affiliating structure. Colleges with academic and operative freedom are doing better and have more credibility. The financial support to such colleges boosts the concept of autonomy.”

It is a historic and momentous development of the KMV which will steer the institution to greater heights and new achievements, said the committee.

“We have been the leaders in education since the 19th century (132 years) and we are continuing the role of academic leadership. This is a historic landmark for the KMV and we will ensure further growth and development of our students and college with this new academic autonomy conferred upon us. We are very grateful to the UGC-MHRD, Govt of Punjab, and our Vice Chancellor, Dr Jaspal Singh Sandhu, for their support and faith they have bestowed in the KMV. The management, principal and faculty of the college are highly capable and ready to take this new responsibility,” said Prof Atima Sharma Dwivedi, principal, KMV.

As per the new status, degrees to students will be provided by Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, as before. Autonomy is for academic freedom and quality enhancement of excellence in education for the benefit of students. This will result in a fair assessment of students and speedy results without delay. The syllabus of the existing courses will be revised and changed as per the requirements and demands of the 21st century, new courses, including job-oriented programs and subject combinations, will be introduced and collaborative degrees with foreign universities will be started, among a host of other initiatives.