Startling this may sound for a university that is often referred as the `Oxford of the East', but over 70 per cent of the 474 colleges under the University of Pune (UoP) lack the requisite infrastructure and academic standards to qualify for a permanent affiliation to the university.
Permanent affiliation to a university is crucial for a college to establish physical (infrastructure), academic and financial stability -- prime concerns for students seeking admissions to higher studies.
Such affiliation not only sets the college free of the annual time-consuming ritual of visits by the university's local inquiry committee (for renewal of temporary affiliations) but also enables the college to draw funds from the University Grants Commission (UGC). It also qualifies the college for an autonomous status.
Permanent affiliation ensures that the college concerned has at least 50 per cent of its teaching staff as permanent employees -- meaning academic stability.
Last week, the UoP academic council gave its nod for permanent affiliation to 23 colleges.
