Is AICTE indeed decided to start B Tech courses for working professionals?
Yes, it is true. You may read this public notice by AICTE. This news was also covered in major newspapers like Hindustan Times, Amar Ujala, Education Times, Hindustan etc.
How many engineering colleges have shown interest in this program?
So far, AICTE has received around 170 applications though more are expected in the coming days, with the August 15, 2023 deadline.
Can you give me a list of technical universities/engineering colleges in India running B Tech programs?
A complete list is available on the AICTE website at this link:
https://www.aicte-india.org/education/institutions/Universities
Why AICTE decided to start B Tech courses in engineering colleges?
Rajiv Kumar, member secretary, ACITE, says, “The concept of providing working professionals academic qualifications, goes back to the pre-Independence era. Previously, most working professionals appeared for the Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers (AMIE) certification exam conducted by the Institution of Engineers (India). These certifications were government approved and were equivalent to either an Engineering diploma or degree. In the course of time, many professional societies mushroomed that claimed to provide similar certifications. Since questions were raised about the quality of education imparted at these societies, the Ministry of Education (HRD ministry at that time) in 2013 withdrew the equivalence of these qualifications in all professional societies. Since working professionals had no means to upgrade their professional qualifications, the AICTE issued a circular a couple of years ago that institutes within the sanctioned intake, can admit working professionals and conduct classes as per a flexible schedule though the degree will be provided in the regular mode.”
After completing a diploma and entering the workforce, many of these professionals encounter a point of stagnation in their career without an advanced degree. Having a bachelor’s degree would unlock various opportunities for them.
How many programmes are there in each engineering college and how many seats are allowed in each program?
A maximum of three programs will be approved by AICTE per institute with an approved intake of 30 seats each. A batch of a minimum of 10 working professionals is required to run the course in an academic year. A maximum of about four institutes/engineering colleges in a district will be allowed to run this program.
In which year a diploma pass-out student will get admission?
A diploma engineer will get admission in the second year (third semester). This is called lateral entry.
Can all working professionals engaged in an engineering field apply for this program?
This program is exclusively for working professionals in registered industries/organizations who are eligible for lateral entry as per AICTE Circular no. F. No. AICTE/AB /SCR /Circular/Lateral Entry/ 2020-27 Dared 17 /912020 regarding "Diploma Students in B. Tech (Lateral Entry) Admission".
Should the student get permission from his employer to carry on this program?
Yes. The institute should obtain an undertaking from the employer declaring that the applicant is an employee of the firm.
Is it low cost?
Yes, as per public notice by AICTE, this program will follow a "low fee" model.
What are the modes of B Tech for working professionals?
There are two modes: regular and ODL (Open and Distance Learning).
Please explain regular mode.
Regular programs are those where classes are held in face-to-face mode and the classes can be held in normal day timings (first shift, second shift, evening shift, part-time, weekend etc.) As long as the student registers for the courses as per the university curriculum, it is a regular course.
Please explain ODL mode.
In Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programs, the students attend/take the classes through receipt of study material (pdf)/books/notes/video lectures and difficulties are addressed either in an interactive mode in a classroom once in a while as announced or through a LMS portal, discussion forum etc.
Steps in ODL mode
#1 Students interact with the faculty members in a live class. Classes are held during weekdays (in the evening), weekends and holidays in flexible time shifts
#2 Physical laboratory sessions are held at the campus on Saturday.
#3 Students can access learning materials in various formats: text, video lectures, e-notes, etc. 24*7 through a Learning Management System (LMS).
#4 Student’s performance is assessed continuously throughout the semester by quizzes, assignments, mid-semester and comprehensive exams.
#5 Final semester students carry out project work applying the various concepts learned in classrooms and labs under the guidance of a mentor.
What would be the modus operandi of this program?
The working professionals will have to earn 120 credits to earn a degree over a three-year period. Classes will be conducted in face-to-face mode, though 40% of the classes can be taken through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) as per UGC norms.
What is MOOC?
A MOOC, or massive open online course, is an online course that is available to anyone to enrol in, regardless of their location or prior educational background. MOOCs are typically free to take, but some may offer a paid certificate of completion. Visit this Swayam MOOCs portal for further details.
What is the eligibility?
Candidates must have either an Engineering diploma or a BSc degree with a minimum of one year of work experience to enrol for the degree programme, much like the lateral entry students.
What would be the selection procedure?
It is left to the institutes to conduct the admission process based on students' merit (be it their marks in the degree or diploma as the case maybe) or an admission test to select the best candidates.
A working professional remains engaged in his work. How can he join these classes?
The courses will run in flexible timing mode (evening shift, weekend etc.).
Is the syllabus for B Tech for working professionals the same?
It seems in all probability, the syllabus for regular B Tech and B Tech for working professionals would remain the same and also the semester-wise schedule. You may download the Syllabus for B Tech programs for working professionals
Does AICTE provide model question papers?
Yes, they do. You may download model question papers for B Tech for working professionals
Will you provide study material for B Tech for working aspirants?
We have been providing study material for AMIE exams since 1994. You know that AMIE is an engineering exam which is only for working professionals. Now, that AICTE has declared its own B Tech program for working professionals, it is quite natural for us to step in and provide courseware for these programs also.
Why should a working professional need your course? Why not a book?
Well, this a very interesting question. You know, generally, a book covers the syllabus in a generalized form, is not updated regularly and does not include the latest questions from B Tech exams. Books are static but our notes are dynamic. Our study material is updated in real-time as these are offered in hybrid mode (offline + online). Books are not focused on important topics and trends of B Tech Exams. They also include surplus content which is not needed to be unimportant. So, you have to put extra effort to make notes from the book so as to make it useful for your purpose. In this process, you waste your precious time.
The novelty of our course is that it is focused. Focused on B tech Exams and not any trivia or surplus material.
Why is your course best for working professionals?
A working professional can spare little time for preparation being in the job. Keeping this fact in mind, we have designed our course in a compact form. A minimum of two hours of study of our course will certainly help you in getting good grades in B Tech exams.
Would I need textbooks while preparing from your notes?
As far as studying for B Tech is concerned, textbooks always create a lot of confusion being generic in nature. The novelty of our course is that it is focused. Focused on B Tech Exams - entire syllabus covered covering most important parts to ensure high grades. That is why our preparatory course is better than books as far as B Tech exams are concerned.
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