St Stephen’s set to get autonomy, fix own syllabus

NEWDELHI: The University Grants Commission will likely grant autonomous status to St Stephen’s College at a meeting next week, officials familiar with the matter said, allowing one of India’s best-known colleges freedom in a range of activities — from admission to the academic syllabus to setting the tuition fee.

The college had applied for an autonomous status last year following which an inspection was carried out on May 10 and 11 by a committee set up to examine applications from colleges for grant of autonomous status. The committee inspected the infrastructure of the college, and interacted with the students and staff, including non-teaching staff. It submitted its report following which UGC is likely to take up the proposal in its meeting scheduled for May 24. If the UGC signs off on the proposal, St Stephen’s will become the first autonomous college in Delhi University. HT first reported this last year.

The principal of the college, John Varghese, did not respond to phone calls and messages.

“The inspection was carried out and all formalities have been

completed. A proposal to grant St Stephen’s autonomous status is likely to be placed before UGC for clearance. If it is approved, a letter will be sent to the Delhi University informing it about the decision,” said a person familiar with the developments who asked not to be identified.

However, the application of the college was preceded by protests from certain students’ and teachers’ groups that wanted the college to remain more closely linked with the university.