Twenty institutes in northwest region seek permission for closure

The attraction for management, engineering and pharmacy colleges seems to be fading quickly, as they are coming forward to seek permission for their closure. Academicians point two reasons for this. First is the mushrooming of management schools which poses a challenge for schools to get quality manpower. The second is a lack of industry academia relationship which is resulting in the challenge of good placements.

According to information available from regional centre of All India Council for Technical education(AICTE), 20 colleges in the northwestern regions are seeking permission for closure. The region comprises states such as Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir.

According to officials in AICTE, they would scrutinise the application to look into any discrepancies before giving a final nod.

Sandeep Kaura, joint managing director of the Group, Rayat Bahra college, which is into engineering and management teaching, said, “No skill improvement, lack of good opportunities and lack of quality teachers are few reasons behind schools seeking closure.”

Out of the 20 colleges, six colleges each in Haryana and Punjab have sought permission of AICTE seeking closure.

Out of the six colleges in Punjab that have moved application seeking closure, two are offering management courses, one engineering and two hotel management and catering technology and one in pharmacy. Similarly, in Haryana, two MBA, two MCA, one each in Post Graduate Diploma in Management and engineering and technology colleges are seeking closure.