Aided colleges risk losing govt aid over seeking deemed univ status

T'puram: At least two aided colleges in Kerala have initiated steps to earn deemed university status against the wishes and policies of the state govt. Higher education minister R Bindu said no aided college can acquire deemed university status without risking the financial assistance they get from the govt. According to reports, Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram, and Rajagiri School of Social Sciences in Kalamassery have approached University Grants Commission (UGC) for deemed status and sources said UGC has started its due process on their applications.
Earlier, the colleges failed to obtain a no-objection certificate from the govt to change their status into deemed universities. Govt did not respond to their requests for assurance regarding the salary paid by the govt for staff in aided colleges.
"Govt has not given permission to any aided college to approach UGC for deemed university status. No college management should think they can continue to enjoy govt-aided status and continue to receive substantial funding from govt if they start functioning as deemed universities. Govt will stop funding such institutions," said Bindu.
The Syam B Menon committee, appointed by the govt to bring reforms in higher education sector, recommended the govt against promoting more deemed universities. Instead, it wanted govt to promote private universities. It also recommended govt to consider deemed university proposals with certain conditions. Private managements were reportedly exploring this clause in the report to further their interest.
If aided colleges, which already enjoy autonomous status, become deemed universities, they will be free to fix fees and decide on student admissions. Instead of state law, UGC regulations (2023) would be applicable to them. State govt pays the staff salaries at aided colleges as per the direct payment agreement signed between govt and managements in 1972.