×
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Now Yoga is mandatory for engineering students

Last Updated 10 July 2017, 22:14 IST
Students of engineering colleges and other technical institutes will have to participate in one of the five extra-curricular activities including Yoga along with their programme to get their degrees from this academic session.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has made it mandatory for all students of the technical institutes affiliated to it. The provision has been made to instil in students “values” for the nation and society.

The extracurricular activities, other than Yoga, listed are the National Cadet Corps (NCC), NSS, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and Sports.

The students will have to opt any one from the list of five extracurricular activities and ensure at least 25 percent attendance in activities to be organised on a weekly basis.

Though students will not get any extra marks or credit for their participation in the extracurricular activities, their non-participation and failure to register minimum attendance would result in holding of their degrees.

“Extra-curricular activities were already part of the technical education curriculum. But, it was optional for the students. We have now made it mandatory for all students with effect from this year. Students will have to opt from any of the five activities in order to get their degrees,” a senior AICTE official said. The move is part of the Centre's emphasis on incorporation of Yoga and value education in the higher education.

“We have made participation of our students in any of the five extra-curricular activities mandatory to inculcate values among them so that they do not graduate just as a technocrats and professional but also a fine human being,” the official said.

While the practice of Yoga and Sports can help students maintain a balance of his or her body and mind, their participation in the NCC, NSS and Unnat Bharat Abhiyan would instil in them values and desire to work for the nation and society.

Under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan of the Human Resource Development Ministry, technical and other higher educational institutions adopt villages in their vicinity and work with the people to address the development challenges in the areas. The programme aims at creating “a virtuous cycle” between society and an inclusive academic system by providing knowledge and practices for emerging professions and to upgrade the capabilities of both the public and the private sectors in responding to the development needs of rural India.

“If students visit a village under the programme and work for their development, indulgence in such activities would instil greater human values among them. It would help them understand the problems that our societies are facing. I would create an urge for them to work for the society and the nation,” the official added.
ADVERTISEMENT
(Published 10 July 2017, 15:31 IST)

Follow us on

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT