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plinary degrees awarding universities
in a phased manner.
Obviously, ASC colleges which
have already been conferred autono-
mous status will be the first to trans-
form into degree awarding universi-
ties. And among government and
private autonomous colleges, the lat-
ter — some of them over a century old
— are best prepared for autonomy. In
this context it’s also pertinent to note
that a substantial number — perhaps
a majority of the country’s 227-strong
league of private autonomous ASC
colleges ranked by EducationWorld —
are Christian minority institutions. In
an era when Hindu majoritarianism
espoused by the all-conquering BJP
and its allied organisations is on the St. Joseph’s College, Bengaluru’s Fr. (Dr) Victor Lobo: university status dream
march, the huge contribution of Chris-
tian minority schools and higher ed 21 when all education institutions become St. Joseph’s University. The
institutions to Indian education and were under lockdown for the entire SJU Bill has been passed by the (Kar-
towards nurturing the Indian middle year. Unsurprisingly, SXM has been nataka) government,” says Lobo.
class needs to be borne in mind. awarded the highest rating under the In sharp contrast, Dr. Parag Ajg-
Against this backdrop, it’s hardly parameters of competence of faculty aonkar, an alumnus of the University
a surprise that for the third year in and faculty welfare and development of Mumbai who assumed the office of
succession St. Xavier’s College, this year as well. principal of the Narsee Monjee Col-
Mumbai (SXM, estb.1869) is voted It’s a measure of the Jesuit contri- lege of Commerce and Econom-
India’s #1 private autonomous college bution to Indian undergraduate edu- ics, Mumbai (NMCCE, estb.1964)
by a comfortable margin, followed by cation that St. Joseph’s College, in 2017, is highly appreciative of the
St. Joseph’s College (Autono- Bengaluru (aka Bangalore), an- annual EW India Higher Education
mous), Bengaluru ranked second other vintage institution (estb.1882) Rankings which he describes as “ex-
for the third year. Indeed, seven of the is ranked second after St. Xavier’s, tremely scientific and comprehensive
Top 10 undergrad colleges ranked in Mumbai for the third year in succes- study of higher education institutes
the EW 2022-23 league table of pri- sion. However, the response of the in India”. Perhaps that’s also because
vate autonomous colleges are vintage college principal Fr. (Dr.) Victor NMCCE has made a great leap forward
institutions promoted by the various Lobo for the EWIHER 2022-23 proj- in public esteem from #8 last year to
orders of the church, and especially ect is less than enthusiastic. “We are #3 in India and #2 in Maharashtra
the Society of Jesus, aka Jesuits. very happy and glad that St. Joseph’s in 2022-23. Moreover, its associated
SXM’s dominance of the EW India College (Autonomous) has retained neighbouring Mithibai College
league table of private autonomous its second position in India and 1st — both these institutions are man-
colleges is complete. It is awarded position in South India. St. Joseph’s aged by the SVKM Trust (regst.1934)
the highest score under five of the College believes in the spirit of ‘Magis’ which manages over 40 education in-
six parameters — competence of fac- (sic). We believe we still have a long stitutions in six campuses across India
ulty, faculty welfare and development, way to go and achieve many laurels,” — is ranked India #4 (#7 in 2021-22)
curriculum and pedagogy (including says Dr. Lobo in a written reply to a together with the Bengaluru-based
digital readiness), placements, and detailed e-mail questionnaire from all-women Mt. Carmel College
leadership and governance. Last year your editor. (estb.1948) which has retained its last
in a detailed interview, Dr. Rajen- On the subject of future plans of year’s rank. The precipitous rise of
dra Shinde, the affable principal of this highly ranked private autono- NMCCE and Mithibai colleges in the
India’s most respected private auton- mous college, Lobo is more forth- EW league tables suggests that the Je-
omous college, attributed SXM’s top coming, even if vague. “We already suit hegemony of private autonomous
ranking to its swift switch to online have (drawn up) our plan for the next colleges is under threat.
learning because of the high compe- ten years. We are building two new Dr. Ajgaonkar attributes NMCCE’s
tence of the college’s faculty in 2020- campuses and the biggest dream is to great leap forward in public recog-

APRIL 2022 EDUCATIONWORLD 39