Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jan 24: In a landmark development for technical education in India, the Karnataka Government Polytechnic (KPT), Mangaluru, has been granted autonomous status by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), making it the first government polytechnic in the country to achieve this distinction. The approval, issued by AICTE, New Delhi, was later endorsed by the Karnataka Board of Technical Education in October last year.

The autonomous tag was conferred a few months ago, officials said. Until recently, AICTE restricted autonomous status to engineering colleges, leaving diploma-level institutions outside its scope. With the national push towards skill development and flexible learning models, government polytechnics have now been brought into the autonomy framework.

Founded in 1946, KPT is the second-largest polytechnic in Karnataka. What began with four academic branches has grown into an institution offering eight diploma programmes, including computer science and polymer technology. The college functions from a sprawling 19-acre campus.

With autonomy, KPT can independently frame industry-relevant syllabi, conduct examinations, set question papers and manage academic records. The institution can directly collaborate with industries and is eligible for priority funding from AICTE or the ministry of education. However, financial administration will continue to be handled by the state government.

Dedicated committees would be formed for examinations, boards of studies, question paper setting and evaluation. The polytechnic will also have the authority to conduct admissions without government notifications and issue its own marks cards. New academic initiatives would be introduced after a year of functioning under the autonomous system.

AICTE had identified polytechnic institutions older than 25 years for autonomy. Several institutions applied. From the first shortlist of 100, only 15 were selected in the second round. KPT has maintained 100 per cent admissions and placement records, apart from dominating state-level sports competitions by winning championships for 12 consecutive years. Active involvement of students in NCC and NSS activities also strengthened its profile. Around 500 students are admitted every year across eight three-year diploma courses.