The Syndicate of University of Madras (UoM), which met recently, has approved a proposal seeking disaffiliation of Dr. MGR-Janaki College of Arts and Science for Women in Chennai from the State-run university.
Sources at the University stated that the college was acquired by the Vel’s Institute of Science, Technology, and Advanced Studies (VISTAS) Deemed University and, from the academic year 2026-27, would be able to admit students under the deemed university. However, the disaffiliation process would be progressive in nature, which meant that the students already admitted to the college under the UoM will be paying the same fees and will sit for examinations conducted by the UoM. Their certificates would also be given away by UoM.
Government sources said that the college management had applied for disaffiliation a few months back. A University Inspection Commission visited the campus, as is the protocol, and submitted a report, clearing the way for the transition, sources added. The government had issued a G.O. in February last kicking off the process of transfer of lease of the institution to the VISTAS Deemed University. While progressive closure of affiliated private colleges has taken place in the past, proposals for disaffiliation were rare. Recently, SSN College of Engineering, affiliated to Anna University, had applied for a progressive closure for transitioning to be a college under the Shiv Nadar University.
The Dr. MGR-Janaki College was set up in 1996 on a parcel of land by the Adyar river where the erstwhile Sathya Studios stood. The property was owned by the family of Latha Rajendran, foster daughter of the late Tamil Nadu chief minister M.G. Ramachandran. She was the chairperson of the institution. What started with 70 students and a dozen faculty members grew to accommodate 4,000 students and 150 teachers across 20 courses, the college’s website states.
According to the progressive disaffiliation plan, students under the UoM will continue to pay the same fee and appear for exams under the State-run university during the transition time, while Vel’s University will be allowed to admit students for first year from the forthcoming academic year.
