Lok Sabha Question No. 532 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Initiating New Programmes and Courses in Engineering and Technology
Ministry: Education
Asked by: M. P. Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 532 ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023

## Initiating New Programmes and Courses in Engineering and Technology

## 532. DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  progress  of  the  proposal  by  AICTE  for Technical  institutes  regarding  initiating  new  programmes  and  courses  in  Engineering  and Technology in emerging areas as per the national perspective plan prepared by the experts; (b) if so, the details of new courses initiated; and

(c) whether the Government has a new plan to improve the quality of engineering education and enhance the employability of students of technical institutes?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

(a) to  (b):  Yes,  Sir.  A  Committee  was  formed  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Shri  BVR Mohan  Reddy,  Chairman  Board  of  Governors,  IIT  Hyderabad  to  make  short  term  and medium  term  perspective  plan  for  engineering  education  which  recommended  courses  on Artificial  Intelligence  (AI),  Internet  of  Things  (IoT),  Block  chain,  Robotics,  Quantum Computing,  Data  Sciences,  Cyber  Security,  3D  Printing  &  Design  and  other  emerging technological areas to be included in the UG/PG Program in Engineering. Accordingly, All India  Council  for  Technical  Education  (AICTE)  has  given  approval  to  B-Tech  Courses  in Data  Science,  Artificial  Intelligence,  Very  Large-Scale  Integration  (VLSI),  logistics  and advance communication technology and elective courses relating to new emerging technologies  which  will  open  new  avenues  for  employment  to  engineering  students  as  per requirement  of  industries.  Further,  to  boost  studies  in  emerging  areas,  students  pursuing courses in core engineering areas like Civil, Mechanical, and Electronics, AICTE, have now allowed students pursuing these programmes flexibility to also pursue minor degree in any emerging area.

In order to prepare a long term strategy and roadmap to develop a sustainable semiconductor and display system in India by creation of talent pool in semiconductor domain, a series of steps have been taken by AICTE. AICTE submitted a 'Roadmap for Capacity Building in the Semiconductor  Domain'  document  highlighting  the  current  scenario  of  curricula  and manpower  availability  and  the  way  forward.  Based  on  the  document,  a  committee  was constitution  in  collaboration  with  Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology  to prepare  model  curricula  for  UG-  Electronics  Engineering  (VLSI  design  &  Technology), Diploma (IC Manufacturing) and Minor Degree in VLSI design & technology.

(c):  The National Education Policy, 2020 envisages multidisciplinary approach to technical education and focuses on preparing professionals in cutting-edge areas that are fast gaining prominence  for  enhancing  the  employability  of  the  youth.In  line  with  this,  the  regulatory body of technical education, AICTE is implementing a number of initiatives such as Revision of  Curriculum,  Examination  Reforms,  Induction  Program,  Student  Internship,  Teacher Training  Policy,  Mandatory  Accreditation,  Hackathons  etc.  Further,  to  promote  quality education,  various  schemes  are  being  implemented  by  the  Government  such  as  Prime Minister  Research  Fellowship  (PMRF),  Start-up  India  Initiative  for  Higher  Education Institutions (SIIHEI), Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT), Scheme for Transformational and Advanced Research in Sciences (STARS), Institution's Innovation Council, Idea Development, Evaluation & Application (IDEA) Labs, etc.

*****