Mysuru: The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has selected St. Philomena’s College (autonomous), Mysuru, for the release of a grant amounting to Rs.5 crore under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) scheme under component 8 for  achieving the desired target of ‘Academic Excellence in Higher Education.’

A total of 17 Colleges in India and five colleges in Karnataka have been selected under  this scheme.

In a communication by the Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHE), through the Department of Collegiate Education and also on the website of MHRD (RUSA) under the ‘Minutes of Project Approval Board Meeting’ held on May 25, it is stated that the grant to be released by the MHRD to St.Philos is exclusively for ‘Enhancing Quality and Excellence in Select Autonomous Colleges’ under component 8 of  RUSA scheme.

Colleges with NAAC CGPA 3.51 and above, under the UGC’s Autonomy Regulations 2018, will be supported to enhance quality of teaching and research under this grant.

This grant would provide new dimension in strengthening the infrastructure resources and in providing quality and branding in higher education.

Further the grants will also be utilised for creation of new facilities, renovation and upgradation of existing facilities and for procuring new equipments both at the PG and   UG level.

Construction of new classrooms, toilets, computer labs, renovation like modernisation and strengthening of laboratories, sports facilities, academic and administrative blocks, hostels, strengthening of libraries and access to knowledge resource and procurement of furniture and fixtures will be the key areas for which the grant is to be utilised.

An Institutional Development Plan (IDP), physical and financial outlay and proposed strategic plan (for 5-10 years) have to be prepared by the college in utilising the approved grant in time bound manner as well as following the norms of the MHRD and KSHE with an objective quality enhancement and excellence, according to a press release from Rev. Dr. Bernard Prakash Barnis, Rector/Manager, St. Philomena’s College.