Darjeeling, Nov. 10: In a letter to the All Gorkha Students’ Union (Agsu), the University Grants Commission (UGC) has agreed to consider the proposal for the upgrade of Darjeeling Government College into an autonomous institute provided the government issues a no-objection certificate.

The UGC, in response to constant correspondence by Agsu on this issue, maintained that clearance from the government was pending.

Willey Henry, officer-in- charge of Darjeeling Government College, said the institution had, in the past, demanded autonomous status for itself.

“The college has written to the director of public instruction for the clearance and we are waiting for the decision,” said Henry.

He, however, said he had not received any letter from the UGC on the subject.

Agsu president Roshan Giri said: “The response from the UGC is encouraging but we will consult all the academicians before we arrive at a definite conclusion.”

Agsu had stated earlier that its prime motive was to get the status of deemed university for Darjeeling Government College.

The UGC, together with the state government and the parent university, will, however, award autonomy to a college after taking into consideration various factors.

These include academic reputation and previous performance in university examinations, quality and merit in the selection of students and teachers as well as the adequacy of infrastructure.

Once a college is granted autonomy, it would be free to make use of the expertise of university departments and other institutions to frame its curricula and devise methods of teaching, examination and evaluation.

The parent university would also accept the methodologies of teaching, examination, evaluation and the course curriculum of its autonomous colleges and help develop their academic programmes.

Giri said the demand for autonomus status to Darjeeling Government College, was a long-standing one and would fulfil the aspirations of the hill people.