AICTE partially accepts Kerala Govt proposal: No new engg colleges, but yes to new courses

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has accepted the proposal by Kerala Government that no new engineering colleges should be sanctioned, but rejected the concept of denying new curses.

The AICTE's expert committee that discussed with government officials its proposals, informed the government of its decision. The committee agreed with the government on approving no more new colleges, but said that it cannot accept the view that new courses are not to be sanctions.

During the discussions, Dr Usha Titus, Principal Secretary of Higher Education, on behalf of the government, proposed that new polytechnics, pharmacy colleges and hotel management colleges or new courses in these colleges should not be granted. But AICTE did not accept these either, pointing out that these were not part of the recommendations in the Future Plans Report of the government, and so they cannot be considered. At present, there are no applications before the AICTE for new engineering colleges, but applications for new polytechnic and other technical institutions are pending before it.

The visiting AICTE delegation comprised Chairman of AICTE's southern region committee Prof Seetharam of Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Director of Human Resources Ministry Malathi Narayanan, Approval Advisor of AICTE Usha Natesan. Vice Chancellor of KLE Deemed University Prof Vivek A Savoji, Principal of Bengaluru University Engg College Dr Venugopal, Davengere BDT Engg College Principal Dr Shivaprasad and AICTE Regional Director Dr UV Ramesh. On the Kerala government side, Director of Technical Eduation Indira Devi attended, besides Dr Usha Titus.