8.9.3 During the year 1992-93, the emphasis for development as per the Programme of Action has, been on the expansion and diversification of academic programmes, modernisation of laboratories, improvement of amenities for students and staff,
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construction of students' hostels (both for boys and girls), expansion of facilities for Computer Centres at selected colleges and development of laboratories in the Colleges under the Scheme of Institutional Network with the IITs. This Programme will continue during 1993-94.
8.9.4 A proposal to develop the collaboration between the 8 RECs and the British Universities/Institutions in the emerging areas under four different themes is being finalised for implementation during the Eighth Plan period.
Development of Post-Graduate Courses and Research Work 8.10.1 Post-Graduate training in engineering and technology is considered essential for effective teaching and R&D work. The Central Government is directly assisting 16 State Governments and 24 Non- Government Post-Graduate institutions under the Central Scheme for development of Post-Graduate Education and Research in Engineering and Technology. The scheme has made considerable contribution in promoting the cause of development of technical education in particular and economic development of the country in general. Having regard to its importance in the national development, the scheme has to be continued. Special emphasis will be laid on promoting courses in emerging technologies where there is shortage of manpower.
8.10.2 In collaboration with the Department of Electronics, Master's degree course in Computer Applications has been introduced at a few selected centres. During the 8th Plan, there will be a wider coverage of this programme.
Quality Improvement Programme 8.11.1 The main objective of the Programme is to improve the quality and standards of Technical Education System in the Country. The objective is being achieved through long term programme like M.Tech. and Ph.D Programmes, short-term courses and short-term in- service training programmes in Industry and Curriculum Development Programmes for faculty members of Technical Institutes. The long-term Programmes are implemented through the Quality Improvement Centres established at five Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, University of Roorkee and other Centres for Degree Courses and short-term Courses and arranged at five IITs; IISc, Bangalore and Roorkee University as well as at Technical Teachers' Training Institutes and Indian Society for Technical Education for Diploma Courses. Short-term in-service training programmes in Industry are being implemented through the Regional Offices of the Ministry.
8.11.2 In 1993-94, the aim is to train 125 teachers for M.Tech. and 80 teachers for Ph.D Courses in addition to those continuing from previous years. Curriculum Development Programmes are conducted at 7 Centres. Under Summer/Winter School Programmes, the target is to train about 2400 Degree and
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Diploma teachers through Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE), New Delhi. As regards the short-term courses, the Quality Improvement Programme Centres are free to organise as many courses as possible within the Budget. Under the Training Programme in Industry, Degree/Diploma teachers are to be trained through the Regional Offices according to the available budget.
World Bank Assisted Project to Support Technician Education 8.12.1 Recognising the need for revamping technician education system, the Government have launched a major project, being implemented in two overlapping phases with the assistance of the World Bank to enable the State governments to upgrade their polytechnics in capacity, quality and efficiency. The project, estimated at a cost of over Rs.1650 crore including World Bank credit assistance of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) 373.3 million (equivalent to approximately US $ 517 million on current rate of conversion) over the period 1990-1999, covers more than 500 polytechnics approved/recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education in 16 States and one Union Territory. It is primarily a State sector project and the entire cost is provided by the participating State Governments from their respective State Plan allocations/budgets. The project is being implemented by the State Governments under the overall guidance, support and monitoring by Department of Education for which a small Central component covering strengthening of the four Technical Teachers' Training Institutes in the country and establishment of a National Project Implementation Unit (NPIU) in the Educational Consultants India Ltd. (ED.CIL) has been provided in the project.
8.12.2 The first phase of the project covering polytechnics in the States of Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh became operational on 5th December, 1990. The second phase with similar objectives and approximately of the same size covers polytechnics in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and the Union Territory of Delhi. It became operational on 29th January, 1992. The polytechnics in the remaining States/UTs are proposed for World Bank assistance within the framework of the flexibility built into the two phases of the project.
Thrust Areas of Technical Education
(a) Strengthening of facilities in crucial areas of technology
where weakness exists 8.13.1 The scheme was instituted during the Sixth Plan and modified in scope and dimensions during the Seventh Plan with the objective of strengthening facilities in technological institutions offering courses at under-graduate level in certain identified areas of technology where critical gaps exist, through (i) augmentation of physical facilities such as laboratory equipment, space, faculty 'and supporting staff, (ii)
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diversification of courses, and (iii) preparation of base for post- graduate programmes. The identified areas of technology where weakness exists are: Computer science/technology, electronics, instrumentation, material science/technology, maintenance engineering, product development/design, bioconversion, ergonomics, printing technology, management science and entrepreneurship. An amount of Rs. 731.00 lakh was released during 1991-92 supporting 82 projects. The amount proposed to be released during 1992-93 is Rs.750.00 lakh.
(b) Creation of infrastructure in areas of emerging technologies
8.13.2 The scheme was instituted on an experimental basis during the Sixth plan period with the objective of creating infrastructural facilities for education, research and training in 14 identified areas of emerging technology in selected engineering/technological institutions. During the Seventh Plan period, the scope and dimensions of the scheme were enlarged. The objectives of the scheme are:
- To develop infrastructure in terms of modern labora- tories in identified areas of emerging technologies.
- To develop a strong base for advanced level work.
- To provide facilities and support for R&D activities in frontier areas of technology on a national basis so that technology gaps with reference to advanced countries are eventually bridged.
- Development of manpower.
- Facilities for training the faculty.
- Development of linkages with other institutions including R&D establishments and user agencies.
- Dissemination of information in the areas of expe- rience development by the supported institutions.
The areas identified for support under this scheme are : energy science, transportation engineering, micro-electronics, remote sensing, atmospheric science, reliability engineering, environmental engineering, water resource management, optical communication & fibre- optics, laser technology, informatics, telematics, education technology, CAD/CAM, micro-processors, robotics, and artificial intelligence. During 1991-92, an amount of Rs. 891.46 lakh was released to support 104 projects. The amount proposed to be released during 1992-93 is Rs.900.00 lakh.
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(c) Programmes of new and/or improved technologies and offering new courses in specialised fields
8.13.3 This is a new scheme instituted during 1987-88 as part of the implementation of the new National Policy on Education. The scheme has been formulated keeping in view the changing industrial scene and the pace of technology development the world over. Many new areas of technology have evolved in recent years in the conventional as well as emerging fields of technology which have relevance to the national needs, where manpower with appropriate expertise has to be developed. Forty-six new/improved areas of technology have been identified where programmes/courses will be supported under the scheme. During 1992-93, an amount of Rs.750.00 lakh was released to support 70 projects.
8.13.4 During 1992-93 and onwards in the eighth five year plan, the above schemes at (a), (b) & (c) have been amalgamated into one scheme, viz., Thrust Areas of Technical Education. Under this scheme approximately 215 projects are likely to be supported with the budgeted amount of Rs. 2400 lakh available in the year 1992-93.
Modernisation and Removal of Obsoloscence 8.14.1 The scheme was initiated during the Sixth Plan period with the objective of providing modern instruments and machinery in selected engineering colleges to meet the requirements of technological advances and curricular changes on the basis of 100 per cent direct central assistance.
8.14.2 During the Seventh Plan and more particularly after the new National Policy on Education was adopted the scope and dimensions of the scheme were expanded to cover IITs, RECs and other engineering colleges including technical universities and technological faculties of universities, polytechnics and removal of obsolescence of human resources. The objectives of the scheme were redefined as follows :
- Removal of Obsolescence in machinery and equipment of laboratories and workshops in engineering and technological institutions.
- Modernisation by addition of new equipment relevant to the curricular needs as a sequel to the fast developments in technologies.
- To provide students with hand-on experience in laboratory practice in modern technologies.
- Creation of new laboratories.
- Provision of computers.
- Training and re-training of faculty and supporting
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staff
During 1991-92 an amount of Rs. 3000 lakh was released to support 337 projects. It is proposed to support 300 projects involving grants aggregating to Rs. 2600 lakh during the year 1992-93.
National Technical Manpower Information System 8.15.1 The National Technical Manpower Information System (NTMIS) has been set up by the Government of India with a view to generate strong data base in order to monitor the supply and utilization of engineering and technical manpower at the national and the individual state levels so as to ensure a planned development of technical education. The system comprises a Lead Centre at the Institute of Applied Manpower Research, New Delhi and twenty-one Nodal Centres, including the four Boards of Apprenticeship/Practical Training, which are located in different States.
8.15.2 Under the NTMIS programme of work, primary data are being gathered regularly, and on an annual basis, form graduates of different academic programmes, academic institutions and the organisations in the socioeconomic sectors which employ engineering and technical manpower. Of the twenty-one Nodal Centres, seventeen Centres located mostly at selected engineering colleges in the country are responsible for surveying academic Institutes and Boards of Apprenticeship Training have the responsibility of gathering data from the employing organisation.
Data Bank Relating to Graduates 8.15.3 During the year, collection of data from the graduates of 1984 was concluded by all existing nodal centres while two nodal centres concluded the collection of data from the 1988 batch of graduates. The work relating to collection of data from 1988 batch of graduates continued in other nodal centres. Fourteen nodal centres also started collection of data from the graduates of 1985 batch.
Data Bank Relating to Technical Educational Institutions 8.15.4 Collection of data from the educational institutions with reference to the years of 1985-86, 1986-87 and 1989-90 was in progress in all the Nodal Centres. In Nine Nodal Centres collection of data with respect to the year 1985-86 was completed during the year.
Data Bank Relating to the Establishments 8.15.5 Collection of data from the establishments with reference to the years of 1985-86, 1986-87 and 1989-90 was in progress in all the four Boards. Collection of data with reference to the year 1985-86 was also concluded by two Boards.
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8.15.6 In November, 1989, the National Expert Committee recommended the continuation of the scheme and strengthening it suitably. The Government has since accepted the report and recommendations are being implemented.
Development of Management Education at Non-University Centres 8.16.0 In order to meet the need for trained managerial manpower at different levels, the Govt. of India initiated a programme to provide assistance to certain non-university centres which are functioning at All India level and offering two years full-time and three years part- time Post-Graduate Diploma course in Management Studies. The assistance is given to the Institutions on the recommendations of the All India Board of Management Studies/AICTE. So far, the Govt. of India has been giving assistance to a few institutions for consolidation and development of their management programmes. In the present situation, it is very essential to promote programmes in the fields of non-cooperate, un-organised and service sectors. These activities are proposed to be strengthened during the Eighth Plan.
All India Council for Technical Education 8.17.1 To ensure the coordinated development of technical education in accordance with the approved standards the All India Council for Technical Education was set up in 1945 as a national expert body to advise the Central Government and the State Governments on the development of technical education. Even before the inclusion of education in Concurrent List, the coordination and determination of standards in technical institutions has been the constitutional responsibility of the Central Government.
8.17.2 In order to deal with the situation which arose by the mushroom growth of large number of private engineering colleges and polytechnics the AICTE was given the status of a statutory body by an Act of Parliament. Under the AICTE Act, 1987 the AICTE is required to undertake the proper planning and coordinated development and regulation of technical education system throughout the country covering all technical institutions and University Technical Departments conducting diploma, degree and PG courses in the fields of studies like engineering and technology, management, town planning, architecture, applied art and pharmacy.
8.17.3 The Council became operational through its Executive Committee, Regional Committees and Boards of Studies. The meetings held so far by the Committees and Boards are listed below:-
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Committee/Board Number of meetings
Executive Committee Four
Northern Regional Committee Three
Southern Regional Committee Five
Western Regional Committee Five
Eastern Regional Committee Five
All India Board of :
Technician Education Two
Management Studies One
P.G. Education & Research Two
Undergraduate Studies (Yet to commence work)
Architecture & Town Planning Three
8.17.4 The All India Board of Pharmaceutical Education & the National Accreditation Board have yet to be composed as per Constitution approved by the AICTE.
8.17.5 The Executive Committee has appointed an accommodation committee to make recommendations on the housing of the Secretariat of the AICTE. The EC has also appointed a Standing Committee to look into the administrative and financial aspects. These Committees have held three and one meetings respectively.
8.17.6 The AICTE is mandated to oversee the technical education system with annual admissions of about 80000 at Diploma level, 40000 at Degree level and 10000 at Post-Graduate level in about 500 Polytechnics and over 200 Colleges approved by the AICTE. In addition there are a large number of unapproved institutions to be brought under the AICTE fold.
8.17.7 In order to streamline the system of approval of new courses and programmes the Council has laid down guidelines to be fulfilled by all concerned. The State Govts. have started following these guidelines for submission of new proposals.
8.17.8 The Council has come to an understanding with the Council of Architecture (functioning under the Architects Act) and the Pharmacy Council of India (under the Pharmacy Act) in the procedure for assessment of courses and institutions in their respective fields.
8.17.9 The Council has laid down norms and standards for diploma, degree and Post-Graduate courses in the various fields covered by the Act. The Council has laid down guidelines for admission to technical institutions on merit to be followed by all concerned.
8.17.10 The Council will undertake the operationalisation of all the functions provided under the Act after the sanction of additional staff, equipment and building' space etc.