Chennai: The impasse over the regulation of over 13,000 enÂgiÂneering colleges in the country is finally over.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has authorised all 53 technical varsities including Anna University in Tamil Nadu to provide approval to new engineering colleges and regulate them; this was earlier done by the All India Council for Technical Education (AIÂCÂTE). The notification is expected to be uploaded on the UGC website this weÂek.
Speaking to DC on WedÂnesday, Prof. H. Devaraj, vice-chairman, UnivÂersÂity Grants Commission (UGC), said that several academicians had sent their views and opinions to the commission’s draft regulation for technical institutions based on which the apex regulator had finalised the regulations.
“As per our new regulation 53 technical universities in the country including AnÂÂna UnivÂersity will be given powers to approve new engineering colleges, regulate technical education and do whatever AICTE was doing in the past. We (UGÂC) in turn will monitor the varsities to keep a check and balance on thÂeir functioning,” he said.
Anna University vice-chancellor Prof M. RajaÂram felt that this move would provide universities with greater responsibility to provide quality technical education.
“Once the UGC sends us an official communication, we will immediately constitute a panel to implÂement the regulations. We won’t have any problem in approving new colleges or extending apprÂoval for the existing ones as we have already been inspecting all colleges as part of the affiliation proÂcess,” he said.
However, a senior HRD official pointed out that the Centre plans to promulgate an ordinance after the ongoing Parliament seÂsÂsion comes to an end to restore the powers vested with AICTE to regulate teÂchnical education in the country and end the present stalemate.
