BENGALURU: “In an effort to combat the proliferation of unscientific engineering programs offered by private universities, the state government is in the early stages of considering amendments to its technical education regulations,” announced Dr MC Sudhakar, the Higher Education Minister, during a press conference held on Wednesday.
Dr Sudhakar’s statement came in conjunction with the ‘Enhancing Employability in Polytechnic Education’ workshop, where he highlighted the need for regulatory changes to address the issue.
The origins of this development can be traced back to a letter penned by Dr. Sudhakar to the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) on September 14. In this letter, he called for stringent regulations governing the establishment and closure of engineering colleges and programs, particularly those within private universities located in Tier-1 cities. Responding to the minister’s concerns, the AICTE outlined their existing process, stating that they grant approval to new institutions and engineering courses only after the applicant provides proof of state government authorization and a no-objection certificate from the relevant affiliating body.
Dr. Sudhakar emphasized their proactive approach in exploring various avenues to amend the existing regulations within the field of technical education. Their focus is set on considering alternative legal mechanisms to curb the unchecked expansion of private universities, particularly concerning seat intake and the indiscriminate introduction of new engineering courses. The unintended consequence of this unchecked growth is the diminishing employability of graduates, a critical issue the new rules aim to rectify. Moreover, these impending regulations hold the promise of mitigating the unrestrained proliferation of engineering colleges within Tier 1 cities, thus addressing a pressing concern.
Shifting gears to another pivotal aspect of education, Dr. Sudhakar addressed the mixed reception of the new curriculum devised for polytechnic programs in 2020, which was enacted under the previous government. Recognizing the diversity of opinions on this curriculum, he assured that a thorough discussion would be initiated to address concerns and gather input for potential improvements. In furtherance of this commitment to educational enhancement, Dr. Sudhakar met with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday to advance the process of forming a committee dedicated to shaping the State Education Policy. He went on to share that the chief minister would soon appoint a chairman, marking the imminent formation of this significant committee.
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