COMMERCE STUDENT Kirit Sharma (19) likes psychology But . unlike in foreign universities, his syllabus does not offer him the flexibility to study the subject along with accounts and taxation.

This might change if Sharma's college - Jai Hind in Churchgate - gets autonomy .

In what could revolutionise education and unshackle it from old rigidities and outdated syllabi, the State Department for Higher Education decided to recommend up to 100 colleges in the state for academic autonomy; in other words, freedom from the university prescribed curricula. Autonomy would enable a college to introduce internationally accepted semester system and grading for students used in foreign institutions.

It is going to ask 58 colleges which have got ‘ ' grade and above A from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council to submit proposals for autonomy Of these . 58, about 20 are Mumbai colleges. Besides, pleas of 42 colleges that have already applied for autonomy years ago, including Mumbai's St Xavier's and the Government Law College, will be looked into.

"Academic autonomy will allow colleges to not just design their own courses, but also have contact with professionals from whom they can take industry inputs. Our department will ask colleges to prepare a proposal for academic autonomy The proposal will then . be submitted to the university to be forwarded to the state government with its recommendations," said K.M. Kulkarni, director for higher education. "With the government nod, the proposal will then be forwarded to the Universi ty Grants Commission (UGC) who in turn will send a committee for college inspection."

With the possibility of foreign universities setting shop in India soon, autonomy would allow colleges to collaborate with these universities. The process for granting autonomy if followed up seriously , , can take about an year.

"Autonomous colleges will have industry professionals on their governing board, and there could be tailor-made courses to create skilled professionals for the industry said Kulkarni.

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