The University of Calicut is planning to launch a special mission to enhance the academic and administrative standards of its affiliated colleges spread across five districts in Kerala. According to university officials, the project named ASCENT or Advancing Standards for College Empowerment and Transformation is aimed at fortifying the network of 445 colleges affiliated with the institution. The proposed mission is designed to establish a robust structural alignment between the university and the colleges. Rating systemA rating system will be launched to improve the academic quality of affiliated colleges. These strategic efforts will empower affiliated colleges to attain elevated academic standards and adapt to emerging paradigms within the higher education sector, the officials claim.