Autonomy and the Fund: Issue Still Rolling

Agra: The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Tuesday granted full autonomy to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) along with 59 other institutions. Though the news sound like  happy one, it has left the authority of the varsity a bit confused as from now onwards they will have to find their own revenue to operate any new course they wish to introduce.

The new uplifting will enable the varsity to start new courses, programmes, schools, and centres. But, the government will not pay for these. Same is the case with any foreign faculty the varsity wish to invite on contract basis. 

AMU vice-chancellor Tariq Mansoor said that he welcomed the decision on full autonomy but the university will now have to generate its own financial resources. "We will have to depend on donations for starting or initiating any course or new activity," he added.

According to dimensions of autonomy for Category II universities like AMU, the institution shall be free to admit foreign students on merit subject to a maximum of 20% over and above the approved strength of domestic students. However, AMU officials said that this too would hit the university's finances as at present they were not following this norm and admitting more than 20% students from abroad.

(Source: The Times of India)