Slew of schemes for TN engg, polytech colleges

At present, there are 585 engineering colleges and 520 polytechnic institutions are functioning in the State.

A senior official from the Higher Education Department said that various development measures including creation of product development centres in association with Indian Institute of Technology research park and industries in engineering colleges are being undertaken.

“It has been decided to conduct placement officers training programme for all engineering and polytechnic college teachers, along with industry participation,” he said.

The official said that the authorities have also planned to establish entrepreneurship development cell to encourage students in All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) approved polytechnic, undergraduate and postgraduate degree technical institutions and instil entrepreneurial culture.

“In addition, training programme in collaboration with National Academy of Rural Development and Self Employment Institute in rural areas for entrepreneurship development will also be organised,” he said, adding that a regional level cluster based research centres to be formed to facilitate the interface between academia and the industry among cluster of private engineering colleges and polytechnic institutions.

Stating that seminars on the emerging trends in engineering sectors through engineering colleges will be organised periodically for the students, the official said that it has been decided to publish an exclusive Tamil Nadu State Council for Technical Education monthly magazine for engineering and polytechnic colleges.

“A website for State level database of Class 12 qualified candidates from all the higher secondary schools to find their enrolment for higher education by entrusting the work to all engineering and polytechnic colleges will be formed,” he said.

The official said that a district level committee for increasing gross enrolment ratio and placements, research registration ratio in government and in government and aided engineering and polytechnic colleges is in the pipeline.