Hyderabad: Osmania University vice-chancellor Prof. Kumar Molugaram has urged autonomous colleges to ensure internal marks and semester-end assessments follow standard distribution patterns, warning against deviations that could compromise academic integrity and stakeholder trust.
At a meeting held on Tuesday, the vice-chancellor stressed the importance of self-discipline among college administrators and strict adherence to University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines on autonomy. Principals and representatives from 38 autonomous colleges affiliated with Osmania University convened to discuss their responsibilities and the governance of autonomous institutions in accordance with the latest UGC framework.
Prof. Molugaram said that autonomy does not imply absolute freedom but requires colleges to operate transparently while remaining accountable to the university. He recommended automating examination systems to minimise manual intervention, regularly conducting governance and academic audits, and adhering to a structured schedule for Board of Studies meetings. He warned of strict action against colleges failing to comply with prescribed guidelines.
Key recommendations included aligning internal and semester-end marks with normal distribution patterns, monitoring student attendance closely, and submitting results databases to the university for pre- and post-autonomy periods. Prof. Molugaram also called for caution before implementing relative grading systems and announced that colleges could conduct only one advance supplementary examination in coordination with the university’s examination branch.
Other speakers seconded the vice-chancellor’s call for transparency and accountability. Registrar Prof. G. Naresh Reddy spoke about the importance of trust and cooperation between the university and its autonomous colleges. Prof. Srinagesh, the director of the Directorate of Academic Audit, clarified that autonomy should not be misconstrued as independence from university oversight.
During the interactive session, representatives from autonomous colleges raised concerns about establishing research centres, collaborations with foreign universities under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and exploring pathways for permanent affiliation. The meeting concluded with a consensus on enhancing academic standards and operational transparency to ensure autonomous colleges remain focused on delivering quality education.
