UGC backs RTMNU's decision to ban new Engineering colleges Nagpur University

UGC backs RTMNU's decision to ban new Engineering colleges

WITH an eye on improving quality of technical education in country. University Grants Commission (UGC) has freezed entry of new engineering colleges. The UGC move may boost the decision of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) which has banned about 250 colleges without full time faculty and other infrastructure. UGC has asked universities across the country not to process applications from such colleges for the academic session 2014-15.

There was a big debate going on about the decision of RTMNU banning about 250 colleges functioning without full lime faculty and required infrastructure. All colleges are not technical institutions. But there is no tab on their spread. The issue was haunting the university. leading to resignation by its Vice-Chancellor. RTMNU was no exception as most of the universities across India were facing similar problem. Under Section 82 (I) of the

Maharashira Universities Act, 1994. an university prepares perspective plan as per the needs of the colleges under its jurisdiction. But most of the universities, under pressure of technical institutions controlled by socially and politically influential individuals, allegedly violate the norms allowing such institutes to flourish.

To curb such illegalities, the UGC has now taken a step forward with an aim to improve quality     of technical     education through the country.

The UGC Secretary, in his letter to Vice-Chancellors of all universities, has taken cognizance of data collected from All India Council for Technical Education (AICTEl which revealed a very alarming picture about future of new engineering colleges and reduced intake of students who are opting for other branches. In recent years, over 30 per cent seats in technical education remained vacant since even by lowering eligibility criterion, there was mismatch between number of seats and students due to oversupply.