Aided colleges set to get deemed university status; government salaries to continue, Mar Ivanios and Rajagiri first in line

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Aided colleges in Kerala are set to get the option of becoming deemed universities, with the state government agreeing to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) while continuing to pay the salaries and pension benefits of their existing teachers and employees.

Thiruvananthapuram’s Mar Ivanios College and Rajagiri College in Kalamassery are likely to be the first aided institutions to make the transition. As deemed universities, they will have greater academic and administrative autonomy, including the freedom to introduce new courses, frame their own syllabi and award degrees independently.

The previous government had opposed granting deemed university status to aided colleges without ending their existing aided status. However, the UDF government has changed its position after coming to power, and preliminary discussions on the proposal have already been held.

The new status will be available to aided and autonomous colleges that have secured the highest grade in NAAC accreditation in three consecutive assessments.

These institutions will also be able to manage student admissions and determine fee structures independently, subject to UGC regulations.

However, the continuation of government-funded salaries and pension benefits will come with a condition. The colleges will have to set aside a specified percentage of seats for students as part of an agreement with the government. The NOC will be issued after the agreement is signed, according to the understanding reached so far.

Once the colleges become deemed universities, they will primarily come under UGC regulations, significantly reducing the state government’s direct control over them.

Kalamandalam and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in Thiruvananthapuram are among the existing deemed universities in Kerala. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, headquartered in Coimbatore, also has campuses in the state.

Government control to end

• Once an aided college becomes a deemed university, UGC regulations will apply. The state government will not be able to introduce laws specifically to regulate these institutions.
• There could be changes in the existing reservation norms.
• College managements will have greater freedom to decide the fee structure.

Government benefits to continue

The government currently pays the salaries of employees in aided colleges under the Direct Payment Agreement signed between the government and college managements in 1972.

Under the agreement, managements are required to comply with state government and university regulations, particularly in matters related to student admissions and staff appointments.