The broad
objectives of the Programme are to create an environment in which
engineering institutions selected under the Programme can achieve their
own set targets for excellence and sustain the same with autonomy and
accountability, support development plans including synergistic
networking and services to community and economy for achieving higher
standards, and to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the technical
education management system. The effort would provide a flexible
platform to well performing institutions to acquire excellence in
specialised areas and emerge as world-class institutions.
The Programme
will be implemented as a centrally coordinated, multi-state, long-term
Programme in overlapping phases. Under each phase, there will be 2 to 3
cycles of selection of well performing institutions in a competitive
manner. For the First Cycle of the First Phase, six States namely, Uttar
pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Haryana and
Maharastra have been selected to participate in the programme based on
their commitment and preparedness. All other States/UTs have the option
to participate in subsequent selection cycles depending upon prepardness
of their institutions.
The
Programme Components are:
1.
Institutional Development (funded on competitive basis) will undertake
-
promotion
of academic excellence in institutions
-
networking for quality enhancement and resource sharing
-
services
to community and industry
2.
Systemic Management Capacity Improvement (funded on investment
proposals).
The estimated
cost of the First Phase of the Programme is Rs 1550 crores which
includes Rs 350 crores in the Central sector. The centrally funded
institutions will get funds through Central budget and States funded
institutions through their respective States budgets. During the First
Phase of the Programme about 17-20 well performing Engineering
institutions will be developed as centers of excellence called Lead
Institutions. Each Lead institution will network with 3-5 Engineering
institutions called Network Institutions, located preferably in the
neighborhood. The Programme will support 50 to 60 Network Institutions.
In addition, well performing Polytechnics are also proposed to be
upgraded to offer practice-focussed degree level programmes as Networked
Institutions.
