VTU to provide technical education on par with IITs, NITs

Open electives should be made more dynamic and regulations with regard to the Board of Studies (BOS) should be relaxed to facilitate taking timely decisions regarding revamping of curriculum and introduction of new courses., says VC.

The Vishweshwaraiah Technological University (VTU) is set to provide quality technical courses on par with premier engineering institutes such as IITs, NITs and BSc courses similar to that of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc Bengaluru). A decision to this effect was taken in a virtual meeting convened by Dr CN Ashwatha Narayana, Minister of Higher Education and IT/BT and S&T, with VTU Vice-Chancellor B Karisiddappa and other officials. 

Ability enhancement courses should be added to make students globally competitive: VC 

During the meeting, the minister sought to know the major changes introduced as per National Education Policy (NEP 2020). Karisiddappa said ability enhancement courses should be added to make students globally competitive. It was decided in the meeting to add ‘Scientific Foundations of Health’ as a subject to emphasise the importance of health and wellness, to award flexibility in teaching, to introduce ‘Social Connect & Responsibility’ as a subject to inculcate social responsibility in students among other measures. 

He said open electives should be made more dynamic and regulations with regard to the Board of Studies (BOS) should be relaxed to facilitate taking timely decisions regarding revamping of curriculum and introduction of new courses. 

24-week internship to be made mandatory for engineering courses  

He further said taking into consideration the importance of engineering in recent global medical technology, it was decided to include a subject called ‘Biology for Engineers’ in the 4th semester. Similarly, ‘Environment Studies’ and ‘Music and Mechanical Vibrations’ will be added.  Twenty-four weeks of internship will be made mandatory for engineering courses wherein students will also have the opportunity to go abroad and multidisciplinary internships will be encouraged. 

Read more: 

• Biology to be part of engineering courses at VTU 
• VTU releases odd semester calendar for 2021-22 academic year 
• VTU to offer BSc course at engineering colleges in Karnataka