The autonomous Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, is planning to revamp its undergraduate programmes based on the key recommendations in the University Grant Commission’s (UGC) 12th Plan proposal.
The commission’s plan document will form the basis of the year-long plan to be chalked out by the governing council. In a chat with The Hindu , P. K. Abdul Azis, the first chairman of the council, said the road map for development would focus on preserving the core strength of the college besides infusing the contemporary challenges and expectations in the curriculum.
Mr. Azis, former vice chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, said the governing council would take a leaf out of the 12th Plan document prepared by the UGC while addressing the twin challenges of access and quality in higher education.
New courses could be introduced after analysing the goals set for the higher education sector under the 12th Plan. “We could also launch academic programmes in niche areas in tune with the emerging opportunities for students in these fields,” he said.
Mr. Azis said the council would hold detailed discussions with all stakeholders on the campus before rolling out the academic reforms. Terming the autonomous status as an opportunity for Maharaja’s to become a centre of excellence, he said that the challenge was bigger considering the fact that the college authorities would have to conduct the examinations and publish the results as part of their powers enjoyed as an autonomous institution.
The chairman has completed preliminary round of discussions with the principal of Maharaja’s College and other members of the governing council. Mr. Azis said the new academic initiatives would be implemented this academic year itself. The council’s first meeting would also be convened at the earliest, he said.
