Pune: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has relaxed some rules to encourage the establishment of new engineering colleges after a three-year hiatus. However, there have been some leniencies in the rules, and the regional offices have closed, which means that the entire approval process will now take place at the national level using a window system.
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has released an information brochure to simplify the accreditation process for the academic year 2023-24. Due to a decrease in the number of students, AICTE had imposed a three-year moratorium on the establishment of new engineering colleges. However, institutions can now apply again to start new colleges for the academic year 2023-24, despite some leniency in the accreditation process. To make the accreditation process more accessible, an independent portal will be created, where universities and higher education institutions can register. The accreditation process will take place through this portal using a window system. As the accreditation process will take place at the national level, regional offices across the country will be closed, which has been clarified in the brochure.
There has been a slackening of basic facilities, space, and the number of professors in colleges and universities. In order to increase the number of outstanding students in all branches of engineering colleges, a decision has been made to admit 360 students in three phases. Additionally, the freedom to start new branches of engineering in colleges has been granted. Only three classes will be started at the beginning of these new branches. This change will be implemented for diploma, degree, and postgraduate programs. In order to improve the quality of technical education in rural areas, the AICTE has now focused on district-level aspirations. For this, components such as placement cells, skill development programs, and internship opportunities will be of great importance in the accreditation process.
Collaboration with foreign institutions
The NARF (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) used to grant collaboration to the first fifty institutions in the world ranking of the Times Higher Education and QS. However, now this rule has been relaxed and institutions with an NBA score of 650 or institutions in the top 100 of the NARF can collaborate with the first one thousand institutions globally. Also, universities in India with a NAAC score of 3.1 or higher can start a joint or twinning program. These institutions are allowed to start a class of up to 60 students.
Minor degree
The decision to start a ‘minor degree’ program to increase entrepreneurship among students has been taken by the AICTE. The program will be available at the undergraduate level and will include subjects such as innovation, entrepreneurship, venture development, business development, marketing, and finance. Additionally, design and technology, 5G and advanced technology will also be included as a minor degree program at any level of engineering. For a minor degree, regular undergraduate programs require at least 18 to 20 credits with a minimum of 163 credits. Now, vocational courses will also be provided with an extension of time and a certificate of participation from AICTE.
For more news click Here
