Safeguard quality of edn, VC tells principals

Speaking after accepting felicitation from the Association of First Grade College Principals of Mangalore University here on Friday, he said university will allow the colleges to start PG courses only after fulfiling the condition that they will offer quality education and cater to the needs of underprivileged. The quality should be maintained while offering PG courses in colleges.

He called upon the PhD holders in the colleges to publish their research papers so that others will come to know of their work.  Stating that universities are natural hub of research activities, he said if one separates research from teaching, there will be no survival. Research and teaching should go hand in hand.

“Mangalore University is not rigid or conservative in giving autonomous status to the colleges. If the colleges submit application, then we will recommend it to the UGC for giving the status. Giving autonomy is not total freedom. Academic autonomy is given for the autonomous colleges,” he added.

He said autonomous colleges and constituent colleges are the backbone of the university. Some of the irregularities have been found in the functioning of the colleges, which will be tackled strictly.  The VC said the 11th five year plan is giving lot of impetus to education and is a boon to the higher education. The budgetary allocation during the 11th five year plan has increased to 19 per cent.

Private College Managements’ Association President Dr H Shantharam said the need of the hour is introduction of cafeteria system of education. Students should be given an opportunity to study the subject of their choice. Today, the education system caters only for the examination.

He said University should allow starting of PG courses in several colleges, so that rural students are benefited.  Association of First Grade College Principals of Mangalore University President Dr B Yashovarma, Secretary Rev Fr Xavier Gomes, Federation of Principals Association President Prof Y Bhaskar Shetty were present.