UCEK awaits autonomous tag renewal

KAKINADA: The University College of Engineering Kakinada’s (UCEK) autonomous status licence expired in December 2022, putting into question whether the degrees issued to pass-outs will be that of the autonomous college or of the JNTU-K, of which it is a constituent college in the absence of autonomy.

Although the college authorities have applied for a renewal of the licence, it is yet to be approved.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) grants the ‘autonomous’ tag to a college based on NAAC recognition, faculty availability, infrastructure and labs.

At present, the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada’s NAAC accreditation is underway, after a team visited the varsity for three days to inspect facilities and records.

Varsities receiving an A+ or A++ grade must have constituent colleges.

Officials of UCEK said that a good grade from the NAAC could pave the way for it to get funds of ₹32 crores from the UGC and other government agencies for development.

College authorities said that although the licence has expired, examinations for fourth and final-year students are being held as per the autonomous syllabus. However, they were unclear on the status of the certificates.

JNTUK Registrar L. Sumalatha told Deccan Chronicle that a decision would be taken following a discussion with Vice Chancellor G.V.R. Prasada Raju.