AIGTE keeps aside UGC moratorium, invites forms for new colleges

AIGTE keeps aside UGC moratorium, invites forms for new colleges

ACTING swiftly after gelling back its power, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has declared the schedule for approval process for new technical institutions. Last month, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had brought moratorium on processing new applications for technical institutions. However, after regaining its position after the judgement of Apex Court. AICTE had given clear indication that it would oppose the moratorium by UGC and has also swung into action. Recently, UGC had issued a circular in which ii had clearly said that no university should process the application of any new college that mas technical education. The UGC had taken the bold step on the basis of the data collected by AICTE. Prof S S Mantha. Chairman of AICTE. had. two years ago. mooted an idea and also collected data comprising bifurcation of students towards various courses after Std 12. Based on that data. UGC had taken the decision of curbing mushrooming of engineering colleges. But after the judgement of Supreme Court. AICTE got the power back. In another judgement the SC has made it clear that now AICTE shall proceed in accordance with the approved process handbook for the academic year 2014-15. SC has also made it clear that prior approval of AICTE is compulsory and mandatory to conduct a technical course including the management course by an existing affiliated technical course for 2014-15. Fearing of mushrooming of engineering colleges in Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Tope had written a letter requesting AICTE not to permit any new engineering colleges. But Mantha had replied to Tope that it was the State's look outand AICTE would do its work. If it receives the application, it would process the application for engineering colleges, he had staled, adding that it would be the Slate's duty not to send the application to the regulatory body.AICTE feels that the idea seems lo be thai ihe government musi come to ihe rescue of existing colleges that are not getting students to fill their seats by denying permission to new colleges. If there is no quality, the colleges would not get seats.
The submission of application for new technical institutions including new technical college which will require affiliation by a university will be held between May 10 and 18. Scrutiny will be held on May 19. Re-scrutiny is scheduled on May 23.
The process of application for extension of approval, variation of intake, addition of new course has begun on May 10. AICTE has invited applications for new institutes for engineering. MBA. Pharmacy. MCA. Architecture. Not only that. AICTE has made it clear that the timelines should be followed strictly as ordered by SC. failing which they would have to face the music.

Posted in: News 2014