Udupi: MGM College granted autonomous status in its 75th Year

Team Udayavani, Sep 11, 2024, 10:12 AM IST

Udupi: Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) College, which was established just two years after India’s independence, is now celebrating its Amrit Mahotsav (75th year). In this significant moment, the college has been granted autonomous status.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved the proposal, granting the college autonomous status. According to UGC guidelines, an autonomous college has the freedom to manage its curriculum, set fees, introduce new courses, conduct exams, and announce results independently. Until now, MGM College had to follow the rules of Mangalore University. The autonomy will bring many advantages to students.

The autonomy will be implemented from the next academic year, and the necessary frameworks, including the curriculum, will be prepared this year.

Although the Academy of General Education, Manipal, was established in 1942, MGM College began its journey in 1949, with the efforts of Dr. TMA Pai. At the time, there were only three colleges in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district, all located in Mangaluru. MGM College in Udupi became the fourth, starting its legacy.

The first batch of students studied in the Main School (Mahatma Gandhi Main School) in front of the current City Corporation office. Initially, only Pre-University Courses (PUC) were offered. In 1951, MGM shifted to its own campus. Since then, the college’s academic progress has continued without interruption. Last year, MGM Evening College was also started.

A building for the Skill Development Centre, named after the late T. Mohandas Pai, former President of MGM College Trust and son of Dr. TMA Pai, is being constructed and will soon be inaugurated. Currently, around 4,000 students study in the college, including the PU College and Evening College. The college campus also hosts the Govinda Pai Research Centre and the Regional Folk Art Resource Centre, contributing to the cultural field.

Since its inception in 1949, 45,551 students have graduated from MGM College. Students who pursued other fields after PUC are counted separately. The campus spans 49.5 acres and started with a BA course. Presently, courses like B.Com, B.Sc., BCA, and Computer Science are offered. Following T. Mohandas Pai’s demise, T. Satish U. Pai has been serving as the president of the college trust since 2022.

During this period, the evening college was established, the college received an A+ rating from NAAC, and the Muddana Mantapa was renovated. The Amrit Mahotsav’s closing ceremony will be held in December.

Prof. Sundar Rao was the first principal, and the second principal, Prof. K. Shi. Haridas Bhat, brought a wealth of cultural contributions to the college. Presently, Lakshminarayana Karanth serves as the 20th principal.

“MAHE Chancellor Dr. Ramdas M. Pai envisioned developing the MGM College campus to resemble the Manipal MAHE University campus. Now that the college has gained autonomy, it has all the opportunities to grow like a university campus. Various academic activities will also commence.” – T. Satish U. Pai, President, MGM College Trust, Udupi.

“Becoming an autonomous college provides freedom in curriculum development, exams, result announcements, and fee structuring. In a way, it’s like functioning as a university.” – Dr. H.S. Ballal, President, Academy of General Education, MGM College Trust Member, and Pro-Chancellor, MAHE University, Manipal.

“With MGM College becoming autonomous, we now have the opportunity to introduce new courses. MAHE University will provide full support to enhance the college further.” – Lt. Gen. Dr. M.D. Venkatesh, Member, MGM College Trust, and Vice-Chancellor, MAHE.

“The first batch of the autonomous college will commence next academic year, and we will be preparing frameworks for the necessary procedures.” – B.P. Varadaraya Pai, Secretary, Academy of General Education.

“Starting employment-oriented courses will benefit students. Autonomy will also help in announcing results faster.” – Prof. Lakshminarayana Karanth, Principal, MGM College.

“The proposal submitted during my tenure as principal has now been approved. The college’s profile will change significantly.” – Dr. Devidas Naik, Principal, MGM Evening College.

“With the introduction of new courses, it will greatly benefit PUC students in their higher education.” – Malathi Devi, Principal, MGM PU College.

“This is the result of the efforts of all colleagues. Autonomy will facilitate the introduction of new undergraduate, postgraduate, and certificate courses.” – Dr. M. Vishwanath Pai, Head, Computer Science Department, and Coordinator, Autonomy Process.