The long processs of framing the syllabus requires mutual extension of help among departments and I find that there is more collaboration and friendly help now more than ever. Changes entail more responsibility and more commitment...
During this process, I have found help from the most unexpected quarters - from department heads, from colleagues and from the head of the institution hemself. A proactive principal achieves more through precept and leading from the front and I see in Prof.SR.Damodarasamy, a readiness to accept new challenges with gusto and sensitivity to those who need help and support. What could've been a painful and arduous transition has been smooth, atleast outwardly. Because , behind the smooth change, there were unseen difficulties - the road taken was bumpy, full of unexpected twists and pitfalls and but for some exemplary direction shown, the moveover to autonomy would not have been pleasant for anyone in the different departments. I also observed how the expereince of the heads of departments and the co-operation of the faculty invested with several responsibilities made it all a learning expereince. I've learnt a lot of lessons in this one year of empowerment through autonomy.
The Board of Studies meets tomorrow and again the input from experienced faculty will be of immense help.
Autonomy is good for the institution, but bad for the health, because it has meant extra work, bigger burden and greater stress due to time frames, meeting the schedule and being constantly on one's toes, in addition to all the academic class work. But then, no pain, no gain.