HYDERABAD: In the wake of global paradigm shift, higher education has to respond to the emerging challenges and re-position itself with new direction, according to Mool Chand Sharma, Vice-Chairman, University Grants Commission.

Prof. Sharma, who inaugurated a national conference on `Role of autonomous colleges in strengthening the quality of higher education' here on Sunday, said autonomy was one aspect that addressed issues like excellence, quality and relevance of higher education.

Referring to the ills of affiliating system, he said that autonomy would lead to vibrancy and sustenance of higher education with flexibility of courses and accountability of teachers and students.

He drew attention to the limited spread of autonomous colleges in the country and to the apprehensions among the groups concerned.

UGC's role

K. Rama Murthy Naidu, UGC member, focused on the changing context of higher education and how the UGC had been strengthening it through various programmes.

Directorate of Collegiate Education Lakshminarayana explained as to how the State was initiating steps to encourage autonomous colleges. He said colleges were conducting workshops, seminars, and orientation programmes to improve quality.

Osmania University Vice-Chancellor Suleiman Siddiqi inaugurated the conference in which 120 colleges from the State, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry participated. S. Jelani, Deputy Secretary, UGC, was present.

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