AICTE to help bridge industry, academia gap

Now, technical institutes can set up incubation centres for corporates on their campuses to encourage research among students and faculty. The All India Council of Technical Education for the first time will be promoting a scheme and act as a mediator between corporates and colleges to set up incubation centres on campuses with good infrastructure and resources.

SS Mantha, AICTE chairman, said that the AICTE may also consider funding such centres. “It will help in bridging the gap between industry and academia. It will not only give students first-hand experience in industry-level R&D but will also provide ready manpower to the industry. Students and teachers can get trained and use the resources from the industry to update their knowledge,” said Mantha.

While details of the scheme are yet to be finalised, a draft is already made. Mantha said, “Institutes which are at least 20 years old will be considered. Also, institutes which have been conducting post-graduate programmes and have a reasonable good faculty will be considered for the scheme.”

Institutes with good infrastructure and resources and who can spare 2,500-3,000 sq ft space will be asked to set up the incubation centres. The details of the scheme on initiating dialogue between the two entities will soon be worked out. The move will enhance research facilities available in engineering institutes.