At a time when the West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT) is under fire from the state higher education department over questionable performance, the university has sought proposals for autonomy from its affiliated colleges.
A letter in this regard has been issued to the private engineering colleges this week, which has raised a controversy as most of the members of the executive council of WBUT are at present opposed to the idea of allowing autonomy to the colleges.
According to them, this is not the right time to dig into the autonomy issue as WBUT is in deep waters, following the negative reports that the Higher Education department has sent to the Chancellor. So far, no private college under WBUT has been granted the status. While one college, which had applied for autonomy, is very close to be granted autonomy and two other colleges have also submitted proposals.
This is, however, the first time that the university is asking all colleges whether they have plans as well as adequate infrastructure so that under the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP) scheme, they can seek autonomy.
However, there is a possibility that autonomy to private engineering colleges will enable them to indulge in malpractice to a greater extent. WBUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sabyasachi Sengupta, said: “Our executive council is opposed to the very idea. We had submitted quite a negative report on the college that is close to get the status. Yet, we do not have much control over this issue. We will inspect the colleges which will be followed by UGC inspection.”
The higher education department’s report on WBUT has pointed out that the university does not abide by the norms while giving affiliations to new colleges. Academicians are doubtful whether the university authorities can be trusted with the autonomy inspection. However, sources in the higher education department said that the department intends to reduce burden of the university. This explains why the department has asked the university to proceed with this issue without even amending the university schedule, which has no provision for autonomous colleges.
if these colleges go autonomous, parents will have to sell their houses to pay their fees. Already they make us pay for purely imaginary causes. if autonomous, they will charge even for breathing in their premises.
those clgs have a good faculty and infrastructure should have to be autonomus
WBUT s****