As 81 technical institutes shut shop, 315 more to be opened

Even as 138 professional colleges across the country requested to close shop because of poor admissions, the AICTE approved opening of 315 new colleges. Vanita Srivastava reports.

Even as 138 professional colleges across the country requested to close shop because of poor admissions, the AICTE approved opening of 315 new colleges.

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At a meeting held on Friday, a final decision on opening 315 colleges and closing 81 colleges across the country was taken.

"Why shouldn't new colleges be opened? This is a growing sector. For a country like India, expansion of education is essential. We cannot stop opening new colleges because the demand is growing continuously," said AICTE chairman SS Mantha.

Mantha said the council had received 669 applications for opening new colleges. This included 307 polytechnics and the rest were degree colleges in different disciplines including pharmacy.

"Those that had applied for closure were mostly in remote areas and had poor interface with industry," said Mantha adding: "We have looked at the applications and we have given permission to 81 colleges to close."

The colleges, which have been given approval for closure are in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and UP. Of the 138 colleges that have requested for a closure, 65 were management institutes, 30 MCA institutes, 15 engineering colleges.

Last year 41 colleges had applied for closure, he said. There are around 8,700 private colleges including 3,500 management institutes across the country.