10 Key Questions for Emerging Autonomous Colleges in Kerala (With What Not to Do!)

Key Questions for Emerging Autonomous Colleges in Kerala (With What Not to Do!)

1. How will the institution ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of statutory bodies like the Academic Council, Governing Body, and Board of Studies?

(Avoid populating these bodies with only insiders, yes-men, loyalists. Don’t reduce them to symbolic roles or friends’ clubs with no space for critical voices or dissent. Institutional health demands diversity, expertise, and challenge.)

2. What mechanisms will be established to ensure that curriculum development remains industry-relevant, academically sound, and socially responsive?

(Do not go for superficial revamps with jargon-heavy, “trendy” topics just for cosmetic appeal. Avoid dumping real content in favour of what merely sounds futuristic. Curriculum must serve relevant learning outcomes, not marketing.)

3. How will assessment practices—including internal evaluations and end-semester exams—be made robust, unbiased, and resistant to manipulation?

(Avoid liberal internal grading to keep students happy or inflate pass rates. Also, don’t make assessments too rigid or mechanical in the name of “objectivity” — balance fairness with flexibility. Resist shortcuts like outsourcing evaluations to underqualified and pliable examiners.)

4. In what ways will the institution maintain academic integrity, particularly regarding plagiarism, grade inflation, and research ethics?

(Don’t turn a blind eye to copied assignments or recycled projects. But also, don’t over-police to the point of creating fear-based compliance. This applies to the student as well as faculty community. Create a culture of ethical scholarship, not a checkbox approach to “integrity”.)

5. How will autonomy be used to foster innovation in teaching-learning methods rather than merely replicate outdated models with new labels?

(Avoid rebranding traditional lectures as “blended learning” without changing methodology. Don’t introduce ed-tech tools or AI just for the optics. Innovation must be rooted in an ecosystem which permeates across all levels, and enhance engagement, not just appearances.)

6. What vision and mission statements will guide the autonomous institution, and how will stakeholders be engaged in their formulation and periodic review?

(Avoid cut-paste mission statements that sound noble but do nothing. Don’t just display the vision: revisit and revise it meaningfully with input from faculty, students, and community partners.)

7. What quality assurance systems (e.g., IQAC, external audits, peer review) will be institutionalized to ensure continuous improvement?

8. How will equity and inclusivity be safeguarded in admissions, financial aid, and academic progression under autonomy?

(Don’t allow autonomy to lead to elite gatekeeping. Avoid token measures that look inclusive but lack real impact. Equity must be systemic—through outreach, financial support, pedagogy, and culture.)

9. What steps will be taken to ensure that faculty recruitment, development, and promotion systems uphold merit, diversity, and institutional values?

(Avoid recruiting based only on availability, loyalty, or connections. But also don’t chase “celebrity faculty” at the cost of quality culture. Build a mix of youth and experience, diversity and depth.)

10. How will the institution resist the temptation to commercialize education or misuse autonomy for unchecked expansion?

(Avoid opening multiple programs or centres just to show “growth.” Don't equate success with revenue. Autonomy must strengthen core academic values, not erode them through market-driven dilution.)

- Babu. P. K, Ph D.