The word 'Autonomy' in the context of educational scenario has a cannotation of legitimate activities of the institution with minimum or no interference from outside. It is for a sustained and steady growth with sufficient balances and checks with a correction mechanism.

In the light of post GATT scenario and liberalised Indian economy, there is a growing awareness in the pharmaceutical circles regarding globalisation. After India has become a signatory to Patents Act and TRIPS agreement, Indian pharmaceutical industry is facing stiff global competition. When once the competition is neck and neck, the quality will be the aspect that will matter foremost. Here the value added production of human resources comes into picture. Hence total quality management is becoming the order of the day. Hence pharmacy educational system must readily respond to the fast changing needs of the manpower requirements. Hence 'Autonomy' is a must for fast growth and development especially in today's pharmaceutical context where greater stress is laid on quality.

University affiliation system

All the pharmacy colleges in our country offering B. Pharm are affiliated to one or other university. This is the system, which was introduced by Britishers based on Common Wealth Pattern.

The university affiliation system suffers with the following drawbacks:
1. Once in 10 or 15 years, updating of syllabus is done by the Universities. This leads to deaf ear for the recent technological changes taking place in the Pharmaceutical Sciences. This fact is confirmed because even after five decades of independence, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is not satisfied with the quality of pass outs from a majority of Pharmacy Colleges.
2. Rigid system of administrative control. Based on the demands of community or the economy there is no innovative system in the university setup.
3. No interface to include the aspects suiting the local demands of the employer in the educational setup.
4. Generalised norms of evaluation and hence not suitable for different caliber of the student community.
5. No channels for resource mobilisation for individual colleges.
6. More of centralised setup with lots of bureaucratic red tape.
7. Inordinate delay in conducting examinations, evaluation and announcement of results leading to loss of valuable time for the student community.

2. Absence of optimum utilisation of human resources on the part of the universities.

Medical university concept

Recently, few of the states have started a new practice of medical university concept whereby pharmacy, which comes under paramedical course, is brought under the control of one common medical university in the state. All the pharmacy colleges in the state offering B. Pharm will now be affiliated to this central university. Good examples of this type are Sri Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Karnataka and The Tamil Nadu MGR Medical University, Chennai. Many more medical universities are in offing in different states of the country. But these types of universities do not offer any special advantage except for specialised grouping. They do also suffer from some of the above said lacunae.

The PCI & AICTE proposals for uniformity of pharmacy curriculum

There is growing demand in the pharmacy educational circles for a uniform course content in B. Pharm throughout the country. PCI & AICTE are very keenly looking into the matter and evaluating the pros and cons of the matter. This type of centralisation of syllabus leads to rigidity in structure, which will lead to more difficulties.

In this context, it is imperative to throw light on the functional importance of autonomy, what is has in store for us? And what are the advantages it offers and does it suit current Indian pharmacy psyche?

Basic objectives of autonomy

- The regular update of course curriculum of B. Pharm as per the changing requirements of the pharmaceutical industry and the society
- To provide professional freedom to faculty regarding the quality of teaching, setting of question papers, fixing of exam dates and evaluation methodology etc.
- Optimum utilisation of human resources for a better and fast development.
- Better excellence (academic) and accountability of the pharmacy colleges.

Benefits of autonomy

For Teachers:

- Can implement regular changes in syllabus
- Innovative methods of teaching techniques
- Fast solutions for problems
- Systematic and suitable student evaluation
- They become more responsible
- They get better opportunities for training and development
- Better working conditions.

For Students:

- Need based education & training
- Timely conduct of examinations and declaration of results and elimination of malpractices
- Better learning environment
- Student discipline
- Conduct of classes as per schedule.

For Principal:

- Operational independence without interference from exterior
- Procurement of good quality infrastructural facilities
- Maintain and upkeep of regular schedules for exams and other works
- Independent decisions and effective control.

For the Management:

- Decentralisation of power
- Greater responsibility
- Better work culture
- Implementation of policies
- Admission procedures can be simplified.

Conclusion

At present, there is cross cultural diversity regarding the examination and affiliation system of pharmacy in the country. Each system has its own inherent advantages and disadvantages. But for a pharmacy college to update its status, it is necessary that a judicious flexibility is a must. The colleges should have some autonomy in aspects like framing of syllabus, examinations, declaration of results and admission of students etc.

- (The author is principal, Veerayatan Institute of Pharmacy, Jakhania, Bhuj-Mandvi Road, Tal. Mandvi, Dist. Kutch 370 460, Gujarat.)