Question : STANDARD OF EDUCATION IN ENGINEERING COLLEGES

(a) whether the Government is aware that there is a dearth of well qualified teachers in many Government/private engineering colleges to produce high calibre I.T. engineers to meet the ever increasing demand for manpower;

(b) if so. whether the Government has made any study in this regard; and

(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to strengthen the quality engineering education in Government/private colleges in order to develop the hard skills as well as soft skills of the students of the country?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M.A.A. FATMI)

(a) to (c): As per information furnished by the AICTE, there is a shortage of senior faculty especially in the IT related branches. In order to attract and retain bright, talented and competent professionals as faculty members, the AICTE has various faculty development schemes as well as other research and institutional development schemes. Under the Emeritus Fellowship scheme, the experience and expertise of superannuated faculty is utilised. The objective of Visiting Professorship scheme is to supplement the expertise lacking in the host institutes. The working ages in case of Professors has been increased from 65 to 70 years for next two years. For the year 2006-07, the cadre ratio of 1:2:4 for Professor, Assistant Professor and Lecturer has been relaxed to 1:2:6.