- The Chandigarh Administration’s Department of Higher Education hosted a seminar titled “Making Chandigarh Colleges Autonomous” to discuss transforming colleges into autonomous institutions.
Chandigarh, India, May 23, 2025 — Today, the Department of Higher Education, Chandigarh Administration, organized a “Making Chandigarh Colleges Autonomous” seminar at Punjab Raj Bhavan. The event brought together essential stakeholders from academia and government to discuss strategies for enhancing institutional frameworks with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 principles, thus promoting autonomy for colleges in Chandigarh.
The seminar’s primary focus was to advocate for the autonomy of colleges in Chandigarh, thereby liberating them from the influence of the university. Presently, these institutions are affiliated with Panjab University. Should they attain autonomous status, Panjab University would be required to implement the regulations set forth by the University Grants Commission regarding the conferment of autonomous status on colleges and the maintenance of standards within autonomous institutions, as outlined in the 2023 guidelines. This transition would grant these colleges complete autonomy in several key areas, including developing curricula, introducing new academic programs, and establishing assessment methods for evaluating student performance.
Mr. Gulab Chand Kataria, the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of UT Chandigarh inaugurated the seminar and presented a forward-thinking vision for reforming higher education. He emphasized the transformative goals of NEP 2020 and highlighted the importance of empowering colleges to achieve academic excellence, institutional flexibility, and responsiveness to the evolving needs of students and society.
- The seminar featured a distinguished panel of experts. Dr. R. Manoj Kumar, Joint Secretary of the UGC, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the role of the UGC in promoting autonomous colleges. He elaborated on the UGC’s supportive policies, the graded autonomy framework, and quality benchmarks to enhance institutional governance, curriculum innovation, and academic flexibility. He emphasized that the UGC envisions higher education institutions as self-regulated and quality-driven, with autonomy as a key enabler.
Dr. Ravindra Singh Pardeshi, Former Principal of Fergusson College, Pune — a prominent, empowered autonomous institution — shared practical insights on the institutional journey toward autonomy. He emphasized the benefits of empowered colleges, including relevant curricula, improved learning outcomes, and enhanced employability. His presentation motivated Chandigarh colleges to pursue autonomous status and align with national reforms.
- Professor Renu Vig, Vice Chancellor of Panjab University, attended the seminar and supported the central theme, “Making Chandigarh Colleges Autonomous.” She emphasized the importance of aligning the objectives of colleges and universities with the goals outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP).
Dr. Dalip Kumar, a State Higher Education Council member at UT Chandigarh, emphasized the need to restructure institutions, enhance resources, and innovate teaching practices. He stressed aligning institutional goals with specific objectives to improve access, equity, and quality in Chandigarh’s higher education system.
- Principals and faculty members from all government and private colleges across the city participated enthusiastically, discussing critical themes such as academic reforms, infrastructure development, faculty capacity building, and quality assurance mechanisms.
The seminar represented an essential advancement in Chandigarh’s efforts to implement NEP 2020 and enhance its higher education institutions as centers of innovation, excellence, and societal impact. Present at the event were Mr. Vivek Pratap Singh, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Ms. Prerna Puri, Secretary of Education; Mr. Abhijit Vijay Chaudhari, Special Secretary to the Administrator; Mr. Rubinderjit Singh Brar, Director of Higher Education; Dr. Richa Rathi, Additional Director of Higher Education; Prof. Jaspal Singh Sandhu; and other senior officials from the Chandigarh Administration.
Source: Chandigarh Administration.
CitiTimes 