Low-performing Kerala engineering colleges under scrutiny

The academic council of KTU has decided to send a team headed by the vice-chancellor to 10 colleges, which fared poorly, to examine the existing facilities like infrastructure.

The academic council of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (Kerala Technology University- KTU) has decided to seek an explanation from 37 engineering colleges under it, after they failed to excel in the academic auditing.

The academic council of KTU has decided to send a team headed by the Vice-Chancellor to 10 colleges, which fared poorly, to examine the existing facilities like infrastructure. The council has also recommended the university syndicate to review the affiliation of these colleges if they fail to rectify the shortcomings. It will also consider the academic council’s recommendations in a meeting to be held shortly.

According to the Council, the college must have NBA (National Board of Accreditation) accreditation for at least one course, to consider fresh applications, while for MTech, the college must have accreditation for the corresponding BTech course. Colleges which apply for new courses should have a minimum average of 50% student admission to existing seats over the last 3 years. It should also have secured a 50% minimum pass percentage.
All the courses which have industrial significance and job potential will only be given approval. The colleges should submit a no-objection certificate issued by the state government along with the application for the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) approval.

Moreover, a four-member academic subcommittee headed by the pro-vice-chancellor was formed for the inclusion of new subjects of industrial importance in all the courses. It has also been decided to include the industry and technology experts in the curriculum committees that are entrusted with syllabus upgradation.

The academic council has also noted that currently only around 30 of the 142 affiliated colleges have NBA accreditation. The recommendation has been given to restructuring the academic auditing so that all the colleges secure the accreditation. It has also been recommended that a review system be established which can provide the students with the last chance for reviewing the marks they are allotted after revaluation.

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