In a surprising turn of events, the distinguished BMS Engineering College in Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, faced a disheartening fate as it marked the end of an era. Regrettably, the renowned institution, which had been the sole functioning evening engineering college in Karnataka, had to cease its operations following an order issued by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The closure of the college was a consequence of the State Government’s denial of permission to operate this year. Consequently, BMS Engineering College failed to submit its seat allocation details for engineering courses, specifically lateral entry, to the Karnataka Education Authority (KEA) for the upcoming academic year of 2023-24. This unfortunate development left the educational community and aspiring engineers disheartened, bidding farewell to an institution that had played a significant role in shaping countless careers over the years.
According to a report by The Hindu, the concept of evening colleges was initially introduced in the 1970s with the aim of providing working professionals an opportunity to pursue higher education. These colleges played a vital role in enabling individuals employed in various sectors to enhance their skills and qualifications. The Principal of BMS Engineering College, in a conversation with the Indian Express, highlighted the significance of these evening colleges, stating that many students who held diplomas and secured employment with organizations like Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) or Karnataka Electricity Board (KEB) pursued engineering degrees from evening colleges to improve their prospects of promotion within their jobs.
The state of Karnataka boasted a total of 12 evening engineering colleges, including the esteemed BMS Engineering College. These institutions offered three-year engineering programs exclusively designed for students who possessed diplomas and sought admission through an entrance examination conducted by the Karnataka Education Authority (KEA). These evening colleges served as a platform for aspiring engineers to expand their knowledge and qualifications, providing a flexible learning environment that catered to the needs of working professionals. However, with the recent closure of BMS Engineering College, the educational landscape of Karnataka witnessed a significant change, leaving a void in the availability of evening engineering programs in the state.
Recent reports indicate that in the academic year 2021-22, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) made a significant decision to withdraw three-year engineering programs across various colleges. This move led to the closure of 11 engineering colleges in Karnataka that offered such programs. However, amid these closures, BMS Engineering College received a noteworthy exception from the AICTE. While other colleges had to merge their three-year engineering courses with the traditional four-year programs, BMS Engineering College was granted special permission to continue its three-year engineering degree program. This exemption recognized the unique contribution and value of BMS Engineering College in providing engineering education to students who were specifically seeking three-year programs to enhance their career prospects. The AICTE’s decision marked a pivotal moment for engineering education in Karnataka, with BMS Engineering College standing as the sole institution permitted to offer standalone three-year engineering degrees in the state.
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