Heritage Status Granted to 19 Colleges by UGC

In order to conserve the college campuses which are more than 100 years old, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted ‘heritage’ status to 19 such colleges/institutions across the country. These colleges would get financial assistance for improvement and up gradation purposes, so that the legacy of these colleges continues.

The University Grants Commission has invited proposals from the colleges across the nation to apply for the heritage tag that is on offer. The status has been given under the Heritage College Scheme proposed by UGC. In total 60 colleges had applied for the status, not a single one from Delhi.

According to UGC officials, “Out of the 60 proposals that we received, Selection Committee approved granting of the status to 19 colleges. Varied financial assistance has been approved to these colleges and they can use the grants for conservation work of the campus and for specialized courses related to heritage.”

UGC officials further pointed out that, “UGC will also examine 160 fresh proposals which have been sent by various colleges across the country.” Colleges like Cotton College, Guwahati, Meerut College, St. Xavier’s College Mumbai, Agra College have received Rs. 4.35 crore, 1.34 crore, 1.53 crore and 25 lakh as heritage funds, respectively.

The funds released would be used to renovate the Art Gallery, Geological Museum and initiate projects for identifying heritage locations near the campus of such colleges.