UCEK awaits autonomous tag renewal

KAKINADA: The University College of Engineering Kakinada’s (UCEK) autonomous status licence expired in December 2022, putting into question whether the degrees issued to pass-outs will be that of the autonomous college or of the JNTU-K, of which it is a constituent college in the absence of autonomy.

Although the college authorities have applied for a renewal of the licence, it is yet to be approved.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) grants the ‘autonomous’ tag to a college based on NAAC recognition, faculty availability, infrastructure and labs.

At present, the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada’s NAAC accreditation is underway, after a team visited the varsity for three days to inspect facilities and records.

Varsities receiving an A+ or A++ grade must have constituent colleges.

Officials of UCEK said that a good grade from the NAAC could pave the way for it to get funds of 32 crores from the UGC and other government agencies for development.

College authorities said that although the licence has expired, examinations for fourth and final-year students are being held as per the autonomous syllabus. However, they were unclear on the status of the certificates.

JNTUK Registrar L. Sumalatha told Deccan Chronicle that a decision would be taken following a discussion with Vice Chancellor G.V.R. Prasada Raju.