AICTE allows companies to open R&D centre in colleges
In a move to bridge the gap between industries and institutes, the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has allowed companies to set up research and development centres in colleges. Initially, 50 colleges across India will be part of the initiative.
“It will be beneficial to both. While college faculty and students will get hands-on experience, industry can get R&D done much cheaper,” said SS Mantha, officiating chairperson, AICTE.
Under the initiative, the colleges have to provide about 2,000 sqft area for the R&D centre on their campus and faculty and students will be involved in projects. “We have already spoken to industry bodies such as the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the project should take off by June and then to extended to more institutions,” added Mantha.
Meanwhile, colleges see this iniative as a lucrative opportunity for research activities, “Such an initiative will ensure our theory goes into practice. Also, research funding is a great revenue model and will benefit all stakeholders,” said Seema Shah, acting principal, Vidyalankar Institute of Technology in Wadala.
The apex regulator for technical education is also creating an online platform where faculty and research scholars can put up abstracts of their work and companies can put up their research needs.
AICTE governs institutes that offer courses in management, engineering, pharmacy, architecture and hospitality.
[Source: Hindustan Times]
