Eight more colleges in the state have been added to the list of UGC approved autonomous colleges along with 60 others. Three colleges to get the status recently, belong to the Mumbai Metropolitan city, namely JJ College of Education, Khar, B M N College of Home Science, Matunga, and Changukana Thakur College, Panvel.
With a NAAC score of 3.5 above, the colleges were able to get an autonomy status by the UGC two days ago.
“There is a need to increase the average quality of education instead of creating islands of excellence,” said Meeta Rajivlochan, principal secretary, and state project director, Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA).
Under RUSA, the autonomous colleges will be provided with a huge grant of ₹5 crore.
RUSA and the Ministry of Human Resource Development have a target to fund 70 institutions to enhance the quality and excellence in select autonomous colleges.
B M N College of Home Science, the first affiliated to SNDT Women’s University, plans to uplift the curriculum.
“Enhancement of the existing program as per the need of the industry, focus on skill development, modifying our assessment system, introducing online courses, increasing internship period are a few things on our mind,” said Principal Shilpa Charankar.
Ramnarain Ruia College, St Xavier’s College, Sophia, SIES, BK Birla, Mithibai, Jai Hind and Rayat Shikshan Sanstha’s Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil College are among the 12 autonomous colleges funded by RUSA.