AICTE boon: Tech courses, degrees of Institution of Engineers restored

Degrees and diplomas in engineering and technology granted by various professional bodies, including the Institution of Engineers (India), to thousands of students till May 31, 2013, are valid "for all purpose" ranging from employment in the government sector and higher education.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has restored its recognition about five years after the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry withdrew recognition and equivalence of the programmes offered by these professional bodies, following complaints of irregularities.

"All those students who were enrolled with these institutions with permanent recognition up to May 31, 2013, stand recognized," an AICTE official said.

The decision to restore recognition and equivalence of the degree and diploma courses conducted by these professional bodies was taken at a recent "emergent meeting" of the Council.

"The matter was reviewed and it was decided at the meeting to recognize equivalence, for all purposes including higher education and employment, of the technical courses conducted by the professional bodies and institutions which were duly recognized by HRD Ministry with permanent recognition up to May 31, 2013," the official added.

The AICTE's decision would bring cheer to thousands of students whose future had been at stake since the HRD Ministry de-recognised the technical programmes conducted by the Institution of Engineers (India), Institution of Civil Engineers, Institute of Mechanical Engineers (India), Institution of Surveyors, College of Military Engineering, Aeronautical Society of India and others in December 2012.

Representations

Later, the Ministry directed the AICTE to conduct a review of the programmes offered by these professional bodies and take a decision on restoring their recognition.

However, the AICTE sat on the file.

In April this year, the technical education regulator initiated a move to decide the fate of the technical programmes and degrees awarded by these professional bodies to May 31, 2013

"The matter came to our notice after we received representations from some of these professional bodies. We decided to conduct a review of their courses and resolve this long-pending issue," a senior official of the council told DH.