More Colleges under UGC umbrella

[sajiv]

VIJAYAWADA: The University Grants Commission is getting good results from ongoing programmes -- to make higher education "inclusive" and "competitive" -- in all the 700 colleges in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, which fall under the South Eastern Regional Office.The University Grants Commission Deputy Secretary G. Srinivas, who currently heads the SERO, told The Hindu recently that under the 11th five-year plan, excellence in the context of present day standards was being pursued in higher education and this was evident from the remedial measures taken up in colleges.Intensive coaching in addition to regular teaching, engaging best faculty and teacher fellowships were some of the measures that would help improve quality further, he felt.

More facilities: Dr. Srinivas said that the UGC was seriously considering bringing more colleges under the 'Colleges with Potential for Excellence' scheme, for which it was providing grants.Some Rs. 1.5 crore each was given for nearly 27 CPEs for the purpose of increasing facilities in the interest of students.

New programmes: Referring to the UGC's thrust on women education, Dr. Srinivas pointed out that new academic programmes were being chalked out to ensure greater enrolment of women in higher education. As part of the programme to increase women enrolment in colleges, support was being given to construction of women's hostels and availability of courses in which they would be able to excel.Dr. Srinivas said women study centres would be promoted in all the colleges so as to provide support to them, including in the area of bringing within their reach women-centric courses.More women would be encouraged to take to teaching and research activities, he added.

Ambitious plans: Dr. Srinivas also said that plans were afoot to make the programmes in the colleges inclusive and useful for the students of SC, ST and minorities, as these students were understood to require much support on the educational front.