7.7.2 The Colleges are administered by a Board of Governors(BOGs) with a fair degree of autonomy, both financial and administrative. The Chairman of the Board is the Minister for Technical Education of the respective State in which the College is located.
7.7.3 At the National level, there is an Advisory Council for RECs, with the Union Minister for Human Resource Development as its Chairman for giving advice on the broad policies for the REC system.
7.7.4 Academically, the Colleges are affiliated to the respective Universities in the region where the RECs are located. Within this framework some of the Universities have granted academic autonomy to RECs affiliated to them.
7.7.5 The Government of India meets the entire non-recurring expenditure and 50% of the recurring expenditure on under-graduate courses of these Colleges. The balance of 50% recurring expenditure is borne by the respective State Governments. The entire expenditure on post-graduate course is met by the Government of India.
7.7.6 The admissions are made on the basis of entrance examinations conducted by the Technical Education Department of the States concerned for admission to all Engineering Colleges in the States. 50% of the seats in each Regional Engineering College is filled by the students qualifying from the State where a particular REC is located. The rest 50% seats are filled by the students coming from other States/UTs based on pre-decided distribution.
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7.7.7 Ministry of Human Resource Development has taken a number of initiatives for developing curriculum in tune with present day needs and forging links with the industry and also to help RECs to achieve excellence in education and research and development.
U.K.-India Technical Co-operation Project for RECs 7.8.1 An Indo-UK Technical Cooperation project to strengthen technical education in India through assistance to 8 RECs in four technical themes :- DESIGN (RECs at Allahabad and Jaipur), ENERGY (RECs at Bhopal and Tiruchirapalli), INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (RECs at Surathkal and Warangal) and MATERIALS ENGINEERING (RECs at Nagpur and Rourkela) commenced in April, 1994 after a formal MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING was signed between the Governments of India and the UK on 12/1/94.
7.8.2 The project is curriculum based and aims to meet changing industrial needs by improving the quality and relevance of REC's graduate in-service training, consultancy and R&D services. This will be achieved by improving teaching skills, developing the curriculum, equipping laboratories in each college, developing management information systems and strengthening links with industry.
7.8.3 There is a Project Steering Committee (PSC) which monitors the overall progress of the project at the national level and has met twice (1) on June 13, 1994 (ii) on May 22, 1995, and (iii) on 12th September 1996 to take stock of the progress achieved so far. Joint Educational Adviser (Tech) dealing with the RECs is the National Project Director (NPD) of the Project and oversees all aspects of implementation of the project on behalf of the GOI, including release of finances from MHRD. The Chairman, AICTE is the Chairman of the Project Steering Committee (PSC).
7.8.4 There are four Theme Sub-Committees one each for each major areas, viz. Design, Energy, Information Technology and Materials. An eminent expert from industry is the Chairman for each of them. These Committees meet once in every four months to review activity in the theme area, over the previous four months, plan activities and procedures for consultancy, equipment specifications and reception for confirmation by Project Steering Committee (PSC) and recommend adoption of new curricula to the respective REC Board of Studies, who report to the PSC twice per year. Each of theme Sub-Committees also form an appropriate Curriculum Planning Group with industrial participation.
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`Centres of Excellence' Programme Of Recs. 7.9.1 During 1993-94 the Government have taken an important initiative of providing as special grant of Rupees one crore each to a REC annually under the Plan for the remaining period of the 8th Five Year Plan in addition to the general Plan grant, to develop 17 RECs into institutions of excellence at par with the IITs.
High Power Review Committee 7.9.2 A High Power Committee to Review the Regional Engineering Colleges has been constituted on 17.6.1996 under the Chairmanship of Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, Director General & Secretary, C.S.I.R., New Delhi. The Terms of Reference of the Committee are as under :
i) To review progress made by R.E.Cs and achievements vis- a-vis their Mission Statement as stipulated in their Memoranda of Understanding and suggest the future role of R.E.Cs in building a high quality Technological Education base in the country-
ii) To indicate methods of teaching practices, formulation of new programmes and curriculum; industrial, research and consultancy activities etc. to cater to the goals and objectives.
iii) To examine the administrative and funding arrangement of and propose changes, keeping in view the challenges offered by the (Global Technology Scenario and also suggest an alert organ within the system for keeping R.E.Cs at the cutting edge of Technology Education.
iv) To suggest mechanisms for close participation of R.E.Cs with Industry, Society and other institutions.
v) To suggest methods of selection of excellent faculty and teacher training programmes for existing teachers.
vi) To make recommendations on any other matter which the Committee deems fit for the growth of R.E.Cs as leaders in Technical Education.
Scheme of Apprenticeship Training 7.10.1 The Scheme provides opportunities for practical training to graduate engineers, technicians and 10+2 (voc.) passouts in industries and other organisations as per the Apprentices Act, 1961, (as amended in 1973 and 1986) and as per policies and guidelines laid down by the Central Apprenticeship Council.
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7.10.2 The four regional Boards of Apprenticeship/Practical Training located at Mumbai, Calcutta, Kanpur and Chennai have been authorised in their respective regions to implement the Apprentices Act. The period of apprenticeship training under the Act is one year for these categories of apprentices. During the training period they are paid stipend which is shared between the Central Government and the employer on 50:50 basis. The stipend payable to Graduate, Technician (Voc.) apprentices is Rs.1400/-, 1000/- and 770/- per month respectively w.e.f. 1st August, 1996.
World Bank Assisted Technician Education Project 7.11.1 Recognising the need for revamping technician education as projected in the National Education Policy the Government has launched a major project which is being implemented in two overlapping phases with the assistance of World Bank to enable the State Governments to upgrade their polytechnics in capacity, quality and efficiency.
7.11.2 The World Bank Assisted Project to support technician education is estimated to cost Rs. 1650.00 crores including World Bank Credit Assistance of Special Drawing Rights of 373.3 million over the period 1990-99. The project under two phases covers 17 States and 2 Union Territories involving 535 polytechnics. It is primarily a State sector project and the entire cost is provided by the participating State Governments from their respective State Plan allocations. The project is being implemented by the State Governments under the overall guidance, support and monitoring by the Department of Education for which a small central component covering strengthening of the four Technical Teachers Training Institutes in the country, establishment of National Project Implementation Unit and a National Project Directorate in the Ministry have been provided in the project. The World Bank Assisted Technician Education Project gives thrust for women's education through creation of additional places of 9200 for women in polytechnics by establishing 39 new women polytechnics besides providing seats for women in Co-ed polytechnics. The project also provides for additional hostel facilities for girl students, and quarters for faculty and staff of the polytechnics.
7.11.3 Mid Term Review of Phases-I & II of the Project were conducted by the World Bank, The World Bank has expressed satisfaction on the performance and noted that the objectives envisaged would be achieved.
Pass Book Scheme/Custom Duty Exemption Certificate for import of
Equipments and Consumables 7.12.0 To facilitate expeditious import and clearance of scientific equipment for research purposes, a Pass Book Scheme is in operation since 1988. It authorises import of scientific and technical instruments, equipments, apparatus
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accessories, spare parts and consumable goods free of import duty. For import under this scheme the Heads of the Institutions are authorised to certify that the goods being imported are such as not manufactured in India, and are essential for research purposes. The maximum upper limits of aggregate c.i.f value allowed annually for equipment etc. and consumables are Rs.5.00 crores and Rs.2.00crores respectively. It excludes any single equipment etc./consumable item whose aggregate c.i.f value exceeds Rs.20.00 lakhs. For any single item including those whose c.i.f. value exceeds Rs.20.00 lakhs, a CDE Certificate is issued. The scheme covers Public Funded Research Institutions, Universities and Colleges. The New Notification issued by the Ministry of Finance states that the public funded research institutions or a University or an Indian Institute of Technology or Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Regional Engineering Colleges other than hospitals shall import Scientific and Technical instruments and other material as mentioned in the notification by registering with the Govt. of India in the Deptt. of Scientific and Industrial Research and have to produce at the time of importation, a certificate from the head of the institution, in each case certifying that the said goods are required for research purposes only.
Reservation of seats in degree/diploma level technical courses for
the States/UTs lacking such facilities (also for foreign nationals
etc.) 7.13.1 This Ministry extends the facilities of Technical Education to all States and UTs, for their socio-economic developments, by reserving seats in degree/diploma level technical'courses for those States/UTs which either do not have facilities or lack facilities in some specific areas of technical education. Nominations of candidates against these seats are made directly by the State[UT Govt./Administration, from where the candidates hail, to the States/UTs where seats are reserved/allocated for them by Govt. of India. This reservation is also extended to the Ministry of External Affairs, in view of international commitments, for self-financing and Indian Council for Cultural Relation Scholarship recipients, foreign students and for the wards of Govt. employees posted in Indian Missions abroad; to the Indian Council for Child Welfare for the recipients of Children Bravery Award on the occasion of Republic Day and to the Central Tibetan Schools Administration. For Indian States/UTs, no seat is reserved in IITs, RFCs etc. under this scheme. Further, there is no discretionary quota of seats in this Ministry for nominating/granting admission to an individual in any institution.
7.13.2 The reservation of seats once done is valid for two years. Fresh allocation is done depending upon the availability of seats offered by donor States/UTs etc. and the demand of seats by deficient States/UTs. For the year 1996-97, 1311 seats at degree level and 657 seats at diploma level have been reserved for such States/UTs/other agencies including foreign students.
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Admission of self-financing foreign students in technical courses
(except concerning medical and health subjects) offered by
institutions in India 7.14.1 Self- financing foreign students who intend to pursue their studies in Post Graduate programmes in technical subjects (except concerning health and medical subjects) in institutions in India are issued No Objection Certificate by this Bureau on receipt of Ministry of External Affairs' (Students' Cell) clearance from political angle.
7.14.2 A self-financing foreign-students/Non-Resident-Indian, can take direct admission in an under graduate technical course offered by unaided private, AICTE approved institutions in India up to 5% of the sanctioned intake (allowed as per Supreme Court Judgment from the year 1994-95 onwards). No Objection Certificate is issued for admission of such foreign students on receipt of their application from the Head of the respective institute.
7.14.3 Admission of foreign students on self-financing basis and scholarships at undergraduate level in Govt. and aided private technical institutions is on the basis of nomination made by the Ministry of External Affairs(Student's Cell ) against the seats earmarked by this Ministry. IITs have also introduced a scheme of Direct Admission of Students Abroad. Around 600 No-objection Certificates are issued every year.
Board of Assessment for Educational Qualifications 7.14.4 The Board of Assessment for Educational Qualifications was set up by the Government of India for the purpose of recognition of academic and professional qualifications for employment to posts and services under the Central Government, The Technical Education Bureau in the Department of Education is the Secretariat of the Board and Chairman/ Member, UPSC is the chairman of the Board. The Board held its 2nd meeting on 4-1-96. The term of last Board expired on 18-6-96. The reconstitution of the Board is for the period from 19-6-96 to 18-6-99.
Scheme of Community Polytechnics 7.15.1 The scheme of Community Polytechnics (CPs) was Instituted under the Direct Assistance Scheme in 1978-79 in 36 polytechnics, on an experimental basis, with a view to ensuring that rural areas get a fair share of benefits from investments in Technical Education System. The scheme of community polytechnics aims at sustainable, community development without environmental degradation by way of S&T applications for socio-economic upliftment and improvement in the quality of life of the common man through micro-level planning and people's participation at the grass-roots level. The Scheme lays stress on poverty alleviation, employment generation and removal of drudgery for the women through location-culture-specific non-formal, need based, short term training in skill-oriented technical/vocational trades with no pre-condition of age, sex or qualification. The training is specially
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geared to the needs of the unemployed/under employed youth/ school/college dropouts, the underprivileged and disadvantaged including women, minorities and the weaker sections of the society. The Community Polytechnics also undertake activities like Technology Transfer, Technical support and S&T awareness for the community.
7.15.2 The scheme was expanded in subsequent years. As on March,1996,375 CPs are functioning all over the country out of which 74 are exclusively for women. All the identified minority concentration districts (41 in number) in the country have already been covered under the scheme, with the involvement in the Community through linkages with Village Panchayats, Zilla Extension Centres at far-flung villages so that the services and facilities that could be made available through the system are provided right at the doorstep of Villagers. The regional Technical Teachers Training Institutes(TTTIs) located at Bhopal, Calcutta, Chandigarh and Chennai act as resource centres for the CPs for academic, technical and managerial support and guidance.
7.15.3 About 100 technical/vocational trades relevant to respective local socio-economic conditions have been identified for imparting skill development training oriented towards' employment generation No minimum academic qualifications have been prescribed for admission to the various courses. However, women, minorities, SCs/STs, weaker sections and the dropouts are encouraged. The Community Polytechnics carry out the following activities.
(i) Socio Economic Survey
(ii) Manpower Development and Training
(iii)Technology Transfer
(iv) Technical and support services
(v) Entrepreneurship development
(vi) Information dissemination and
(vii) S&T Awareness
7.15.4 Community Polytechnics have made significant contribution towards promoting transfer of a large number of tested and approved items of technology to the rural areas including wind-mills, smokeless chulhas, rural latrines, solar appliances, agricultural implements. etc. These institutions have been able to establish proper linkages and effective collaboration and coordination with a number of government and non-government agencies. A number of them are actively engaged in planning and implementation of community support services, and rural health services on water and sanitation awareness programmes.
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7.15.5 The employment generation through the scheme is mainly in the form of non-formal short-term training, through competency and need-based courses in various trades, or in multi-skills depending upon requirement and can be broadly classified in three categories:
i. Direct wage employment in the scheme
ii. Self employment of trained youth
iii. Wage employment in rural projects/ industries and services.
7.15.6 Upto March 1996, about four lakh fifty thousand youth have been trained under the scheme and out of this, more than 60% have got self/ wage-employment.
7.15.7 Recently, the Scheme of Community Polytechnics was appraised by a National Appraisal,Committee (NAC) whose recommendations were examined in this Ministry by a Discussion Group constituted in MHRD. Based on the recommendations of Discussion Group, during the current Financial year 1996-97, 25 new institutions will be selected for addition under the CP Scheme Budget Provision of Rs. 3 2. 10 crores (Plan & Non Plan) have been provided for this scheme in 1996-97. The Budget provision for the 9th Five Year Plan under CP scheme has been proposed at Rs.450 crores. From the present network of 375 Community Polytechnics, (functioning alongwith a large number of village extension centres) it is envisaged that by the end of 9th plan, 860 such Community Polytechnics will be functioning. It is expected that by the end of 9th Plan, about,33 lakh unemployed youth including women, minorities etc. would be trained in these Community Polytechnics providing self/wage employment to about 18 lakh rural youth.