Page 67 - EW April 2024_Neat

12, 2023), the majority — 786 — are
privately promoted, a small minority
— 193 — of state government-owned
colleges have also passed UGC’s
rigorous assessment tests to qualify
for autonomous status. While there’s
a perceived quality gap between
private and government autono-
mous colleges, the latter serve an
important social purpose by provid-
ing heavily subsidised collegiate
education to youth from low-income
households.
For mysterious reasons, gov-
ernment autonomous colleges are
rarely ranked by the Union educa-
tion ministry and media publica-
tions. EducationWorld is an excep-
tion because we appreciate them as
islands of excellence among govern- Govt. Holkar Science College, Indore’s Dr. Silawat (centre): deemed university goal
ment higher undergrad education
institutions. To acknowledge their opment, placements and leadership/ students mentored by 105 faculty on
status and encourage undergrad col- governance quality. its muster rolls.
leges to improve continuously since “We are delighted and excited to Beyond the Top 3, Yuvaraja’s
2020, India’s best Arts, Science and learn that GDCW is ranked India’s College, Mysuru has inched up to
Commerce (ASC) colleges have been #1 government autonomous college. #4 (#5), Smt. Sarladevi Satish-
divided into private autonomous, It’s long-awaited recognition. Since chandra Agarwal Government
government autonomous and non- the college was conferred autonomy First Grade College, Ballari
autonomous colleges and ranked in 2012, we have made continuous has leapfrogged to #5 (#13) even as
separately in each category. efforts to introduce contemporary Maharani’s Science College for
The 2024-25 EW league table of and innovative study programmes, Women, Mysuru has retained its
best government autonomous col- apprenticeship-based and value- #6 rank. However, the biggest gainer
leges shows a re-arrangement of top added courses to prepare our women is Sri Meenakshi Government
table seating. The 2,100 knowledge- students for employment. We also Arts College for Women, Madu-
able sample respondents comprising offer coaching for civil services and rai which has been promoted from
higher education faculty, students other professional entrance exami- #15 last year to #6 in 2024-25. Saro-
and industry representatives inter- nations. Many of our students are jini Naidu Government Girls PG
viewed by Bengaluru-based AZ Re- recruited by local companies with a College, Bhopal has retained its
search Partners Pvt. Ltd have voted few employed with top companies #7 rank jointly with Government
the Government Degree College such as Deloitte, Infosys, TCS and Holkar (Model, Autonomous)
for Women, Begumpet, Hyder- Tech Mahindra. Moreover, I want to Science College, Indore (#8).
abad #1 (#2 in 2023-24) followed highlight a unique programme we The Top 10 table is completed by
by Maharaja’s College, Kochi at run in collaboration with the World Government College, Anantapur
#2 (#1) and Presidency College, Academy for Future Women, a US- (AP) at #8 (#11) followed by Gov-
Chennai at #3 (#3). based NGO, to provide leadership ernment VYT PG Autonomous
Promoted in 1971 and awarded training to our students. This year’s College, Durg, retaining its #9 rank
autonomous status in 2012 by UGC, top rank will motivate our faculty and Kanchi Mamunivar Govern-
Government Degree College for and students to strive to maintain ment Institute for Postgraduate
Women, Begumpet (GDCW) has our #1 ranking,” says Dr. K. Pad- Studies and Research, Lawspet,
been steadily rising in the EW league mavathi, an alumna of Osmania Puducherry at #10.
table — from #5 in 2022-23 to #2 University who has served as head of Dr. Suresh T. Silawat, principal
last year, and to #1 in 2024-25. The several government colleges in the of Govt. Holkar (Model, Autono-
college is awarded top scores under state since 1995, and was appointed mous) Science College, Indore
the parameters of curriculum and principal of GDCW in 2021. Cur- is elated that this 133-year-old legacy
pedagogy, faculty welfare and devel- rently, GDCW has 4,000 women institution is consistently ranked

APRIL 2024 EDUCATIONWORLD 67