Chandigarh 13 April: University Grants Commission (UGC), N.Delhi has banned the opening of new engineering colleges. Not only this, even existing colleges would not be able to add new courses or increase the intake/number of seats of existing courses for 2014-15.
This decision of UGC has come as surprise for education fraternity of entire country. In many states, Affiliating universities including PTU in Punjab has already started the approval process. In Punjab only More than 30 existing colleges have applied for increases intake and 3-4 new colleges are also coming up. But with the new decision the entire approval process has stopped.
Dr.Anshu Kataria renowned education expert and chairman of Aryans Group of Colleges Chandigarh said that one year moratorium decision is good but it has come at wrong time. Many educationists have already created infrastructure to start new or add seats in existing infrastructure. So this year approvals should be given and moratorium should be for the next year.
J.S.Bajaj, Chairman Bajaj Engineering College Ludhiana said that it took more than 2 year to complete the infrastructure of our upcoming world class engineering college near Mullanpur, but UGC circular has come as surprise. UGC should withdraw its circular else we will knock the door of court.
Gurdeep Singh, President, GNA IMT Phagwara said that we are in education since last 10 years and this year we are starting engineering courses. We have already made presentation in the PTU and entire infrastructure is ready for inspection. We are shocked to hear that UGC has issued such notification. He appealed UGC to reconsider this decision.
It’s worth mentioning that Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India had shifted the task of affiliation for engineering colleges from AICTE to UGC in 2014-15