AICTE set to open all minor courses for core engg students

The new rules will be reflected in the AICTE’s approval process handbook that is likely to be released by the end of February.

To improve admissions in core engineering courses, including civil, mechanical and electronics, the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) will now allow students pursuing these programmes flexibility to also pursue a minor degree in any emerging area, AICTE chairperson TG Sitharam said, Hindustan Times reported. 

India can’t be a global leader in tech without core engg courses: AICTE head 

“India cannot become the viswa guru, or a global leader in technology without core engineering courses. Therefore, we have come up with some schemes this time,” he said during a virtual interaction with stakeholders before finalising the approval process for the 2023-24 academic session.  

“We want to provide greater flexibility to students by throwing open all minor courses for all engineering disciplines, so that a civil engineering student can minor in information and technology and become job ready,” Sitharam said.  

“Otherwise, what is happening today, even including in IITs, all these people are trying in the industry for the emerging areas. Instead of that, we thought they can earn 18 to 20 credits by pursuing a minor degree in emerging areas while pursuing their programme.”  

The minor degree concept was introduced by the regulator of technical education in 2020-21 to make students ready to work in industry. However, not all minor courses are open for core engineering students. The new rules will be reflected in the AICTE’s approval process handbook that is likely to be released by the end of this month. 

The council will also allow teachers of core engineering courses to take a 10-credit online course on emerging areas for the upcoming academic session and get certified. “This will allow these teachers to teach these minor courses in emerging areas within their department rather than depending on new faculty,” Sitharam added. 

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