AICTE lifts ban on new engineering colleges due to increased BTech admissions in core branches
NEW DELHI: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has announced the revocation of the moratorium imposed on new engineering colleges in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This move is expected to create more opportunities for students seeking technical education, but the AICTE has laid out guidelines to ensure quality infrastructure and education. However, there are concerns about the quality of education provided by new colleges, and the AICTE must monitor them closely to maintain standards. Overall, the revocation of the moratorium is a positive step towards promoting technical education, but quality should not be compromised.
AICTE has decided to lift the moratorium on new engineering colleges after considering the increase in admission in core engineering courses last year, according to AICTE member secretary Rajive Kumar. Kumar stated that the admission trend in these core engineering courses is increasing, and the moratorium was sending a negative message to students who were losing interest in core engineering branches. Thus, it was decided to revoke the moratorium.
Kumar also attributed the increase in admissions in core engineering to the introduction of minor degrees from 2020-21. The minor degrees allow students to specialize in a specific field while pursuing their primary degree, making them more employable and giving them an edge in the job market.
The revocation of the moratorium is expected to create more opportunities for students seeking admission in engineering colleges and promote the growth of technical education in the country. However, there are concerns about maintaining quality education and infrastructure in new colleges. Therefore, the AICTE has laid out guidelines and criteria that the new colleges must meet to ensure quality education and infrastructure.
In conclusion, the AICTE’s decision to lift the moratorium on new engineering colleges is a positive step towards promoting technical education and providing more opportunities for students. The increase in admissions in core engineering courses and the introduction of minor degrees have played a significant role in this decision. However, it is crucial to maintain quality education and infrastructure in new colleges to ensure that the growth of technical education is sustainable.
AICTE’s ban on BTech colleges
In 2019, the AICTE had imposed a two-year moratorium on opening new institutions in traditional areas of engineering and technology at various levels, starting from 2020-21. However, the ban was extended to the 2023-24 academic year in 2022 with some exceptions.
According to AICTE member secretary Rajive Kumar, the percentage of core engineering courses has increased in the past year due to the introduction of minors in engineering colleges. The AICTE has encouraged institutions to compulsorily start minor subjects in emerging areas, which has improved the admission trend. Kumar further added that most universities have implemented this concept, resulting in a good number of students opting for core engineering courses.
The introduction of minors in engineering colleges allows students to specialize in a specific field while pursuing their primary degree, making them more employable and giving them an edge in the job market. This move has not only increased admissions in core engineering courses but also improved the quality of technical education in the country.
The decision to lift the moratorium on new engineering colleges is expected to create more opportunities for students seeking admission in engineering colleges and promote the growth of technical education in the country. The AICTE has laid out guidelines and criteria that the new colleges must meet to ensure quality education and infrastructure. However, it is essential to monitor new colleges closely to maintain standards and avoid compromising the quality of education.
BTech minors and model curriculum
The concept of a “minor degree” was first introduced by the AICTE in the approval handbook for the academic session 2020-21. This degree offers students the opportunity to specialize in a particular field while pursuing their undergraduate degree. The minor degree carries 18 to 20 credits in addition to the credits required for obtaining the undergraduate degree in the major discipline, which typically consists of 160 credits.
To support the introduction of minor degrees, the AICTE has developed a model curriculum for seven different minors, including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, blockchain, cybersecurity, data science, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and virtual and augmented reality. These minors are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in emerging fields that are critical to the country’s growth and development.
To promote these courses, the AICTE has urged all affiliated engineering colleges to interact with industry experts, introduce compulsory internships, and provide hands-on experience to students. These measures aim to ensure that students receive practical training in the latest technologies and are well-prepared for careers in their chosen fields.
The introduction of minor degrees has played a significant role in increasing admissions in core engineering courses, as well as improving the quality of technical education in the country. By providing students with the opportunity to specialize in emerging fields, the AICTE is helping to meet the demand for skilled professionals in these critical areas, while also promoting innovation and growth in the technical sector.
In conclusion, the AICTE’s introduction of minor degrees is a positive step towards promoting technical education and providing more opportunities for students. The minors’ model curriculum for emerging fields, such as cybersecurity and data science, aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their careers.
AICTE approval handbook 2023
The AICTE is currently working on making last-minute changes to the approval handbook for technical institutions approved by the regulatory authority. These changes are being made to ensure that institutions adhere to the regulations set by the AICTE. According to AICTE member secretary Rajive Kumar, the handbook will be made publicly available in a week’s time.
Despite a marginal increase of 20,000 in enrollment numbers for engineering programs between academic years 2019-20 and 2020-21, the absolute admission numbers are still the lowest in five years, according to the latest All India Higher Education Survey 2020-21. This suggests that there is still room for improvement in the field of technical education in India.
In particular, enrollment in BTech and BE programs in the regular mode has dropped by 10 percent from 40.85 lakh in 2016-17 to 36.63 lakh in 2020-21, indicating that there is a need to promote and encourage students to pursue core engineering courses. The AICTE’s decision to revoke the moratorium on new engineering colleges, coupled with the introduction of minor degrees in emerging fields, could help to reverse this trend and encourage more students to pursue technical education.
