Get nod to run polytechnic courses, board tells varsities

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 24

After the contentious issue of “bogus” claims for post-matric scholarship for SC students, private universities and the Technical Education Department are heading for another confrontation over the affiliation of polytechnic colleges being run by the universities.

The Punjab State Board of Technical Education (PSBTE) is asking the private universities to seek its clearance for running polytechnic colleges. The universities have opposed the move. As many as 2,000 students are enrolled in such colleges.

A senior official said the issue cropped up after the PSBTE withdrew the NOC issued to Thapar Polytechnic College, Patiala, saying the courses requiring entry at the post-matric level needed to be cleared by it.

The college maintained that it was affiliated to the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology. The department cited the UGC’s Minimum Standard of Instructions for the Grant of First Degree (through formal education) Regulations, 2003.

After the PSBTE stand was vindicated by the Affiliation and Accreditation Committee, the college management has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Dr JS Dhaliwal, president, Punjab Unaided Technical Institutions Association (PUTIA), said as per the Punjab Private University Act, there was a provision for running certificate and diploma courses. The issue was the outcome of confusion between the Higher Education Department and the Technical Education Board. “The latter is raising the issue which is not in its domain,” he claimed.

SS Sekhwan, Chairman, PSBTE, said: “On the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, we gave a hearing to Thapar Polytechnic College. The university can give approval for courses offered after Class XII. We are writing to all the universities.”