The University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted graded autonomy to the Andhra University (AU) along with 59 other institutes of higher education. The AU is placed in the Category I as per the UGC Regulations on Graded Autonomy 2018.
A university shall be in Category I if (a) it has been accredited by NAAC with a score of 3.51 or above (b) it has received a corresponding accreditation grade/score from a reputed accreditation agency empanelled by the UGC or (c) it has been ranked among the top 500 world rankings, such as the Times Higher Education or QS, according to Vice- Chancellor G. Nageswara Rao.
Though the university would continue to remain within the ambit of the UGC, it will have the freedom to start new courses/programmes/departments/schools/centres in disciplines that form a part of its existing academic framework, without the approval of the UGC. It can start innovative courses, attract talent from across the globe and incentivise the deserving faculty to offer the best quality education and make its products worthy of talent and to mark its presence felt in the international arena.
The university can also open constituent units/off-campus centres within its geographical jurisdiction, start skill courses, consistent with the National Skills Qualification Framework.
Foreign faculty
It would be free to open research parks, incubation centres, establish university society linkage centres, in self-financing mode, either on its own or in partnership with private partners. It could hire foreign faculty having taught at any institution in the top 500 world framework.
The university can also admit foreign students on merit and will also be free to fix and charge fees and offer courses in the Open and Distance Learning mode.
