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Time of India
18-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How autonomy unshackled India's colleges to build real-world courses
From offering design thinking and music therapy to rolling out programmes in data science and fintech, a growing number of Indian colleges are reinventing themselves after gaining autonomy, updating curricula, embracing interdisciplinarity, and aligning academic offerings with industry demand. Take Chennai's Guru Nanak College, which received autonomy in 2018. Since then, its student strength has risen from 4,200 to 7,500, driven by new interdisciplinary and job-oriented courses such as BCom in information systems management and BSc in biotechnology, as per TOI. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category MCA Data Analytics Public Policy Digital Marketing Project Management Data Science CXO Product Management Finance Leadership Technology PGDM Design Thinking healthcare Degree others Data Science Others Healthcare MBA Artificial Intelligence Operations Management Cybersecurity Management Skills you'll gain: Programming Proficiency Data Handling & Analysis Cybersecurity Awareness & Skills Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Master of Computer Applications Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details 'We allow students to take one skill course per semester,' said Marlene Morais, a former principal who now serves as an adviser. 'Even basic science students can now learn job-oriented skills such as GST filing or advanced Tally.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unbelievable: Calculator Shows The Value Of Your House Instantly (Take a Look) Home Value Calculator Search Now Undo Morais explained that while traditional programmes remain government-funded, newer offerings require significant investment in infrastructure and industry-aligned faculty, which reflects in higher fees, up to ₹1,00,000 for self-financed courses, compared to ₹20,000–₹26,000 for the older BSc programmes. In Chennai, only three arts and science colleges have secured autonomy over the past decade, two of them just last year. The transition, however, has been rapid. Live Events The story is similar in Pune, where Fergusson College, autonomous since 2016, has rolled out 96 skill-based courses, reworked its assessment system with ERP tools, and launched job-ready programmes in fields such as geology and data science. 'The transition has been transformative,' said principal Shyam Munde. 'From interdisciplinary learning to research excellence, autonomy has helped us realign with real-world needs.' At St Mira's College in Pune, autonomy was granted in 2007, but it was only after the institution received 'empowered autonomy' in 2023, allowing it to use its name on graduation certificates, that real change began. Since then, it has introduced fresh electives including retail economics, design thinking, clinical music therapy, social audit, and Indian cinema in retrospect. 'For us, education is not just about employability, but about engagement,' said principal Neeru Bhagat. 'We want students to connect theory with society, be it through dance therapy or political campaigning.' Even legacy institutions are evolving. Pune's Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce (BMCC), autonomous since 2017, now offers courses in big data analytics, fintech, and advanced banking. Enrolment has gone up from 3,200 to 4,200, even as fees have risen from ₹11,000 to ₹18,000 for aided programmes, and from ₹60,000 to ₹75,000 for unaided ones. 'Students accept change faster than we expect,' said principal Deepak Powdel. 'Their appetite for co-curriculars and industry-relevant content keeps us on our toes.' In eastern India, Kolkata's St Xavier's College has had autonomy since 2006 and is considered a model for others. It recently introduced courses in astrophysics and data science in collaboration with the Bose Institute. Average campus placements are around ₹6.5 lakh, with top offers going up to ₹24 lakh. 'Designing our own curriculum allows us to stay ahead of industry trends,' said principal Fr Dominic Savio. 'In BCom, we've introduced management consultancy in the first semester. That's unheard of elsewhere.' Other colleges in Bengal, such as Raja Narendralal Khan Women's College and Debra Thana Sahid Kshudiram Smriti Mahavidyalaya, are also tapping into their academic independence. In southern India, Bangalore's St Francis de Sales College became autonomous in 2024. While it must retain university-approved programme titles, it has infused its syllabi with industry-relevant content. Demand for courses, especially computer science, has risen sharply, with admissions growing from 500 to 830 in one year. 'We used to be held hostage by university delays,' said principal Fr Binu Edathumparambil. 'Now we set our own calendar, conduct exams in time, and release results within 15 days.' He added, 'There are companies that prefer students from autonomous colleges.' Karnataka has seen a steady expansion in autonomy: Bengaluru City University now has nine autonomous colleges, Bangalore University ten, and Bengaluru North University five. 'Earlier, colleges had to wait for a university nod. But now, they can apply directly. It's a big draw, especially for those tired of public university delays,' said Bengaluru North University vice-chancellor Niranjana Vanalli. The picture is different in Delhi, where only two institutions, JIMS Vasant Kunj and MAIMS Rohini, had received UGC's nod for autonomy as of August 2024, but neither has implemented changes due to pending approvals from their affiliating body, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Meanwhile, colleges under Delhi University, including Hindu and St Stephen's, have been denied autonomy owing to legal constraints under the Delhi University Act. Mumbai, by contrast, offers a sprawling array of undergraduate programmes, more than 200, many with overlapping content but different branding. BSc in finance sits next to BCom in financial markets, which is similar to BA in economics and finance. Students often struggle to decode which degree suits them best. 'Each college is trying to carve its niche, create a brand, stay relevant. Every campus is in a race to offer something the next institution doesn't,' one principal said. Some educationists warn the proliferation of niche courses risks being more cosmetic than substantive. In many cases, diploma-level subjects are repackaged as full degrees. Commerce colleges now offer analytical courses, while science colleges dabble in commerce subjects, sometimes without adequate faculty expertise. Across India, over 1,400 colleges enjoy autonomous status. In theory, this is meant to liberate institutions from the rigidity of one-size-fits-all university syllabi. But the impact has been uneven. 'There are islands of excellence,' said an education consultant who works with Mumbai colleges. 'Some are using the freedom to give a fillip to academics. But competition, and the race to grab a bigger share of the tuition pie, is killing the golden goose.' Autonomy emerged as a response to the burden on public universities, many of which oversee hundreds of affiliated colleges and struggle to maintain curricular relevance. The idea was to give institutions room to innovate, modernise, and prepare students for the future. In some parts of the country, that vision is taking root. In others, it remains an aspiration. Whether autonomy truly leads to academic excellence and employable graduates, or merely to more expensive degrees, remains a question in motion. With inputs from TOI
The Sun
02-07-2025
- The Sun
Justice served in Kevin Morais murder case
KUALA LUMPUR: The Judicial and Legal Service Officers' Association (JALSOA) has described the Federal Court's ruling to uphold the convictions and sentences of those responsible for the murder of Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais as a great relief and a testament to justice being served. In a statement today, the association said the ruling was significant not only for the late Morais and his family but also for all members of the judiciary and legal fraternity who uphold the rule of law without compromise. 'This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by legal officers, particularly deputy public prosecutors, in discharging their duties to uphold truth and justice despite constant risks and threats. 'Despite concerns over the recurrence of such incidents, legal officers in the judicial and legal services will remain firm and resolute in their commitment to uphold the supremacy of the Federal Constitution and the rule of law,' the statement said. JALSOA also conveyed its appreciation to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for conducting a thorough and comprehensive investigation, as well as to the team of deputy public prosecutors from the Attorney General's Chambers for their professionalism, diligence and courage at every stage of the proceedings. 'To the late Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais, though our acquaintance was brief, your contributions and spirit live on in our memories and in the principles we uphold. Justice has been served and your legacy remains,' it said. Yesterday, the Federal Court upheld the death sentence imposed on a former pathologist for the murder of Morais in 2015. A three-man bench led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat affirmed the murder conviction of Colonel Dr R. Kunaseegaran, 62, S. Nimalan, 31 and S. Ravi Chandran, 53. However, both Nimalan and Ravi Chandran were spared the gallows after the court commuted the death sentences imposed on them by the High Court to life imprisonment. Nimalan was sentenced to 35 years in prison with 12 strokes of the cane, while Ravi Chandran was sentenced to 40 years in jail. The court did not impose whipping on Ravi Chandran, as he is above 50 years of age. Justice Tengku Maimun said Kunaseegaran's death sentence remained as he had withdrawn his appeal against the sentence. Meanwhile, the panel, also comprising Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and Federal Court judge Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang, discharged and acquitted the other three individuals, namely R. Dinishwaran, 32, A.K. Thinesh Kumar, 31, and M. Vishwanath, 34, for the murder. Morais, who was reported missing on Sept 4, 2015, was last seen leaving his apartment at Menara Duta, Kuala Lumpur, in a Proton Perdana. His body was found in a cement-filled oil drum at Persiaran Subang Mewah, Subang Jaya, on Sept 16 the same year.
Malaysian Reserve
02-07-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
JALSOA: Justice prevailed in Kevin Morais case
KUALA LUMPUR — The Judicial and Legal Service Officers' Association (JALSOA) has described the Federal Court's ruling to uphold the convictions and sentences of those responsible for the murder of Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais (picture) as a great relief and a testament to justice being served. In a statement today, the association said the ruling was significant not only for the late Morais and his family but also for all members of the judiciary and legal fraternity who uphold the rule of law without compromise. 'This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by legal officers, particularly deputy public prosecutors, in discharging their duties to uphold truth and justice despite constant risks and threats. 'Despite concerns over the recurrence of such incidents, legal officers in the judicial and legal services will remain firm and resolute in their commitment to uphold the supremacy of the Federal Constitution and the rule of law,' the statement said. JALSOA also conveyed its appreciation to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for conducting a thorough and comprehensive investigation, as well as to the team of deputy public prosecutors from the Attorney General's Chambers for their professionalism, diligence and courage at every stage of the proceedings. 'To the late Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais, though our acquaintance was brief, your contributions and spirit live on in our memories and in the principles we uphold. Justice has been served and your legacy remains,' it said. Yesterday, the Federal Court upheld the death sentence imposed on a former pathologist for the murder of Morais in 2015. A three-man bench led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat affirmed the murder conviction of Colonel Dr R. Kunaseegaran, 62, S. Nimalan, 31 and S. Ravi Chandran, 53. However, both Nimalan and Ravi Chandran were spared the gallows after the court commuted the death sentences imposed on them by the High Court to life imprisonment. Nimalan was sentenced to 35 years in prison with 12 strokes of the cane, while Ravi Chandran was sentenced to 40 years in jail. The court did not impose whipping on Ravi Chandran, as he is above 50 years of age. Justice Tengku Maimun said Kunaseegaran's death sentence remained as he had withdrawn his appeal against the sentence. Meanwhile, the panel, also comprising Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and Federal Court judge Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang, discharged and acquitted the other three individuals, namely R. Dinishwaran, 32, A.K. Thinesh Kumar, 31, and M. Vishwanath, 34, for the murder. Morais, who was reported missing on Sept 4, 2015, was last seen leaving his apartment at Menara Duta, Kuala Lumpur, in a Proton Perdana. His body was found in a cement-filled oil drum at Persiaran Subang Mewah, Subang Jaya, on Sept 16 the same year. — BERNAMA
New Straits Times
30-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Federal Court to decide appeal of 6 convicted in Kevin Morais' murder tomorrow
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court will deliver its verdict tomorrow on the final appeal by six men who were convicted and sentenced to death for the 2015 murder of deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais. The decision will be handed down by a three-member bench led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, sitting with Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and Fedseral Court judge Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang. The judges had reserved their judgment on May 14, after hearing submissions from the prosecution and defence. Jasmine Cheong, one of the lawyers representing former pathologist Colonel Dr R. Kunaseegaran, told Bernama that the court notified the date for the decision this morning. Kunaseegaran, 62, along with S. Ravi Chandran, 54, and four others — R. Dinishwaran, 33; A.K. Thinesh Kumar, 32; M. Vishwanath, 35; and S. Nimalan, 32 — were convicted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court in July 2020 for the murder of Morais, 55. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction in a ruling delivered on March 14 last year. The murder took place at a location along Jalan Dutamas Raya Sentul and Jalan USJ 1/6D, Subang Jaya, between 7 am and 8 pm on Sept 4, 2015. Morais was last seen leaving in a Proton Perdana Car from his Menara Duta condominium, Kuala Lumpur, to his office at the Attorney-General's Chambers in Putrajaya. His body was found in a concrete-filled drum at Persiaran Subang Mewah, Subang Jaya, on Sept 16 of the same year. — BERNAMA
Malaysian Reserve
30-06-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
Federal Court to deliver verdict on final appeal of six men convicted in DPP Kevin Morais murder tomorrow
PUTRAJAYA — The Federal Court will deliver its verdict tomorrow on the final appeal by six men who were convicted and sentenced to death for the 2015 murder of deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais (picture). The decision will be handed down by a three-member bench led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, sitting with Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and Federal Court judge Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang. The judges had reserved their judgment on May 14, after hearing submissions from the prosecution and defence. Jasmine Cheong, one of the lawyers representing former pathologist Colonel Dr R. Kunaseegaran, told Bernama that the court notified the date for the decision this morning. Kunaseegaran, 62, along with S. Ravi Chandran, 54, and four others — R. Dinishwaran, 33; A.K. Thinesh Kumar, 32; M. Vishwanath, 35; and S. Nimalan, 32 — were convicted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court in July 2020 for the murder of Morais, 55. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction in a ruling delivered on March 14 last year. The murder took place at a location along Jalan Dutamas Raya Sentul and Jalan USJ 1/6D, Subang Jaya, between 7 am and 8 pm on September 4, 2015. Morais was last seen leaving in a Proton Perdana Car from his Menara Duta condominium, Kuala Lumpur, to his office at the Attorney-General's Chambers in Putrajaya. His body was found in a concrete-filled drum at Persiaran Subang Mewah, Subang Jaya, on September 16 of the same year. — BERNAMA
