Anna univ gives nod for work-integrated BE, BTech courses with flexible timings

Chennai: Anna University's academic council on Thursday approved a decision to offer work-integrated BE, BTech programmes to working professionals with flexible timings. According to the decision, each college will be allowed to offer up to three courses with an intake of 30 seats.Employees working in private or public limited companies and MSMEs located within a 50km radius of the college are eligible to apply for these programmes."Industries show more interest to upgrade their working employees with diplomas. The classes for BE, BTech courses will be in the evening hours or any flexible convenient timings, including weekends or holidays," Anna University registrar V Kumaresan said.Candidates who have completed diplomas can enrol in these courses from the second year onwards as lateral entry candidates.All India Council for Technical Education's (AICTE) regulation also allowed 40% of credit transfer through MOOC courses offered on the SWAYAM portal. Candidates should have a minimum work experience of one year or should be a regular employee of the company.A few years back, 22 engineering colleges located near industrial hubs such as Sriperumbudur, Gummidipoondi, Salem, Tiruppur, Coimbatore and Trichy got permission from AICTE to offer work-integrated BE, BTech programmes. They were awaiting Anna University's approval."It was a long overdue and welcome move by Anna University," said Abhay Meghanathan, vice-chairman of Rajalakshmi Group of Institutions."Auto ancillaries like Mando are interested to upgrade their employees. So, we expect a good number of admissions. We plan to offer mechanical engineering, civil engineering and electronics and communication engineering to the first batch," he added.K A Mohamed Junaid, principal of RMK Engineering College, said the college is planning to offer mechanical, electronics and communication engineering, and computer science engineering from this academic year.Anna University is also approved to increase the lab-integrated theory courses from this academic year.