Will receive special development grants worth Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore each from
the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The Fergusson college and Modern college in the city and
the Ahmednagar college in Ahmednagar district, all affiliated to the University
of Pune (UoP), will receive special development grants worth Rs. 1 crore to Rs.
1.5 crore each from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
This follows the UGCs recent decision approving College with Potential for Excellence
(CPE) status for 50 colleges across the country. The three UoP-affiliated colleges,
which are the only beneficiaries from Maharashtra, fall under round IV of the CPE
scheme.
The commissions standing committee on CPE, constituted for round IV funding, had
recommended the CPE status for these colleges and the proposal was taken up for
approval at the UGC executive body’s meeting held on August 24.The commission has
now posted details of the qualifying colleges on its website.
The UGC introduced the CPE scheme in 2004-05, as part of the X Plan (2002-2007)
activities to identify colleges which are doing good work and have potential to
do excellent work in teaching and research. Funds provided under the scheme are
aimed at helping these colleges develop apt infrastructure and facilities to support
teaching and research activities.
A major thrust of the CPE funding remains on accreditation and autonomy, as the
colleges with good ratings from the National assessment and accreditation council
(NAAC) and those who have secured autonomy are preferred for the CPE status.
The prestigious Fergusson College is run by the Deccan Education Society (DES),
while the Modern college is a constituent of the Progressive Education Society (PES),
both in Pune city. On the other hand, the Ahmednagar College is run by the Bhaskar
Pandurang Hivale Education Society (BPHES) in Ahmednagar. All the three colleges
have been accredited by NAAC, but haven’t yet secured autonomy.
Of the total 249 colleges, which have been so far granted the CPE status by the
UGC, 47 were selected and approved in round I on August 13, 2004, while 50 were
approved in round II on April 7, 2006, and 149 colleges in round III on January
16, 2010.
The UGC had proposed to identify another 113 colleges for funding under round IV
of the scheme and had invited proposals, last year, through the respective affiliated
universities.
Courtesy: Times of India
