UGC to Fund Establishment of Community Colleges in Telangana, AP

This year Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are likely to get funded by the University Grant Commission (UGC) for establishment of 11 community colleges.

To conduct additional classes for community colleges around Rs. 1 crore will be provided to the colleges with adequate infrastructure by the UGC.

Proposals would be presented to the UGC by representatives of 11 degree colleges from both the states in Delhi. The colleges can start the courses from net academic year, once the proposals are approved by the national body.

Technical education department are currently running the community colleges already there in some of the district centres of both the states. But the UGC-funded colleges will be completely managed by the respective colleges which establish them. This year, the UGC is planning to fund around 500 community colleges across the country.

Ch Masthanaiah, principal of Rajahmundry Government Degree College, informed that community colleges will offer employment-based courses to students who have completed Intermediate. Those who successfully complete their courses in community colleges will get certificate from Sector Skill Council.

“We are planning to accommodate 50 students in a batch if we get the approval from the UGC,’’ he said.

According to UGC, Any college having facilities to accommodate students in vocational and employment-based courses can set up community colleges. These colleges will offer professional and technical courses with minimum fees. Students can study from level 4 to level 6 and get employment once they finish their courses. They can also pursue higher studies with these degrees.

The community college scheme was launched by the UGC in 2012 to set up alternative institutes to offer education at affordable fees. The main focus of these colleges was to provide both vocational and skill development as well as traditional courses.