Regranting AICTE its powers leaves tech colleges in lurch

Institutions in a fix on following varsity's or council's norms

A recent order passed by the Supreme Court, restoring the All India Council for Technical Education’s (AICTE) regulatory power over colleges offering technical education courses has put many technical institutions across the State in a fix.

In an order that was passed in April last year, the Supreme Court had reduced the AICTE to an ‘advisory body’ that had no authority over colleges and courses already affiliated to other Universities. Subsequently, the University Grants Commission (UGC) assumed the reins of regulatory powers from the AICTE for the year 2014-15.

According to H Maheshappa, Vice Chancellor, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), “Following last year’s order, colleges under VTU had sent their applications for affiliations, making changes in the number of seats and starting new courses, to the University and not the AICTE.”

“There is confusion about what to do next. This judgement has come at a time when most processes related to affiliation have been nearly completed. If any changes are made at this time, there will definitely be a delay in the admission for this year.”

Directive issued

The UGC, in its new capacity, had even issued a directive through a circular, asking universities not to grant affiliations to new colleges or to increase the intake of students for the academic year 2014-15.

With the recent SC order, however, authorities say they do not know whether this directive by the UGC will still be applicable.

K E Prakash, Registrar, VTU, said that guidelines prescribed by the UGC will be followed until new information is received.

There is also a sense of confusion and curiosity amongst authorities of management colleges over the order. M Prakash, Secretary, Karnataka Private Post Graduate Colleges’ Association (KPPGCA), said: “Many heads of management instutions have been calling me to find out more about the order.”