Interactive Session on Autonomous Colleges: Opportunities and Challenges
Loreto College, Kolkata Committee on Autonomy in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell organized an interactive session on "Autonomous Colleges: Opportunities and Challenges" on December 15, 2025, as part of its continuous efforts towards academic planning and quality enhancement in alignment with NAAC benchmarks. The session was addressed by Rev. Fr. Felix Raj, S.J., Vice Chancellor, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, and was attended by Sr. Dr. A. Nirmala, Teacher in Charge, Mrs. Nandini Bhattacharyya, Director, Loreto Education Board, the faculty members and administrative staff of the College.
As Loreto College prepares to consider the prospect of moving towards autonomy, the session aimed to provide a holistic understanding of autonomy encompassing its academic, administrative, financial, governance-related, and institutional dimensions. Rev. Fr. Felix Raj contextualized autonomy within the global higher education landscape, highlighting contemporary trends, challenges, and opportunities, while also examining the distinctive characteristics of the Indian higher education system.
Tracing the historical development of autonomy in Higher Education Institutions, he elaborated on the concept of institutional autonomy as defined by UNESCO, emphasizing academic freedom, institutional accountability, innovation, and responsiveness to societal needs. He underscored how autonomy enables institutions to design flexible curricula, promote research and innovation, strengthen governance mechanisms, and ensure efficient resource management, while remaining aligned with national regulatory frameworks.
Rev. Fr. Felix Raj also reflected on the unique educational ethos of Loreto Education, highlighting its commitment to academic excellence, social responsibility, inclusiveness, and value-based education. He encouraged Loreto College to move forward confidently towards applying for autonomous status, noting that the institution possesses the academic maturity, governance culture, and institutional credibility required for autonomy.
The session concluded with an interactive discussion, during which the staff raised pertinent questions related to implementation challenges, regulatory compliance, academic flexibility, and administrative preparedness. Rev. Fr. Felix Raj addressed these queries with clarity, fostering informed dialogue and collective reflection. The session significantly contributed to institutional capacity-building and strategic preparedness, reinforcing Loreto College's commitment to quality enhancement and academic leadership.
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