Nagpur, 04

Oct (HS): The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) is likely to

grant an autonomous status to three Government Medical Colleges in Maharashtra.

The three colleges submitted the proposal to the Department of Medical

Education and Research (DMER), which has now referred it to the state

government. According to sources, a decision could be expected by the end of

this year. The medical colleges are – Government Medical College, Nagpur; B J

Medical College, Pune, and J J Hospital, Mumbai. For the first time, the

Government colleges are being granted autonomy and the status of deemed

universities.

Autonomy would

empower these institutions to design their own courses, update curricula, modernise

research facilities, quicker decision-making system, and academic innovation to

address the changing needs of medical education and healthcare.

Currently, government

medical colleges in Maharashtra come under DMER, while the Maharashtra

University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik, conducts examinations and awards

degrees. The autonomy would enable them to run their own courses, hold

examinations, and take decisions at the institution level. One of the biggest

advantages would be financial freedom, as the colleges would be able to access

and utilise funds instead of waiting for approvals from DMER.

Officials

believe that granting autonomy will not only accelerate the development of these

institutions but also directly benefit students and patients.

Expected

outcomes include an increase in postgraduate seats, the establishment of

specialized research centers, and upgraded infrastructure. These changes could

enable government colleges to keep pace with private deemed universities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar