UGC to strip AICTE of powers to regulate technical courses

Published: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 02, 2014  Anish Jacob

Thiruvananthapuram: The University Grants Commission (UGC) will take over the rights to grant approval for institutions and courses in technical sector, including engineering. Till now, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) was the sole authority to take decisions in this regard. According to a communication from the UGC, the AICTE would be relieved of the above-mentioned charges. The UGC has also published instructions in this connection.

The UGC will now manage the conduct of courses such as Engineering and Technology, Pharmacy, Hotel management and Catering, Architecture, MCA and Applied Arts and Craft. The new move has been introduced as a measure to improve the quality of these courses.

The UGC has also framed guidelines regarding the basic requirements to start such colleges and courses. The undergraduate and postgraduate courses in technical sector will now be conducted according to these guidelines. In short, the AICTE’s reign will be limited to diploma courses in the sector.

The release further wanted the new guidelines to be published in the gazette before implementing them.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed that the entrance commissioners in each state be submitted the list of colleges and courses for the next academic year before May 15.

The UGC had informed the universities about the changes, adding that no application should be considered until the new guidelines come into force. Accordingly, various universities had not considered new applications.

The UGC also said the applications for new courses have to be submitted only after fulfilling the basic requirements, including infrastructure. Earlier, these had to be met after getting NOCs from the government and the AICTE.

Previously, the inspection was conducted before the university granting affiliation. Now, at the time of applying for a new course or college or to raise the number of seats, the basic requirements have to be met.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/news/latest-news/ugc-to-strip-aicte-of-powers-to-regulate-technical-courses-144868.html