Private Engineering Colleges in Karnataka Push for Mandatory Skill Training Credits
The Karnataka Unaided Private Engineering Colleges Association (KUPECA) has formally requested Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) to implement a mandatory system of allotting credit points for skill-based training programs that colleges advertise to students. This significant demand was presented during a recent meeting to finalize the annual consensual agreement with the state government. If adopted, this policy would compel colleges to actually deliver the specialized skill training they promise, ensuring accountability and enhancing the practical education of engineering students.
Addressing the Gap Between Promise and Delivery
Currently, private engineering colleges in Karnataka are permitted to charge additional fees ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 for various skill training modules. However, numerous institutions have been criticized for collecting these fees without providing the corresponding training, leaving students shortchanged. KUPECA's proposal aims to close this gap by making skill credits compulsory for colleges that levy extra charges for such programs.
Manjunath Bhandary, representing KUPECA at the meeting, emphasized the necessity of this move. "Make skills mandatory by giving credits for them. In that case, colleges have to develop the skills lab, which is different from the academic lab. Let VTU visit the colleges to check on the skills labs provided. Otherwise, neither students nor the management will be serious about skills," he stated. This approach would require colleges to establish dedicated skills laboratories and subject them to VTU inspections, fostering a more rigorous commitment to vocational education.
VTU's Response and Fee Increase Announcement
In response to KUPECA's recommendation, VTU Vice-Chancellor Vidyashankar S indicated that the university would consider the proposal. "We need to discuss with our decision-making bodies like the board of studies and the executive council. Once we receive the resolution of this meeting from the government, we will discuss it and take a call," he explained. This suggests that while the idea is under review, any implementation would require thorough deliberation within VTU's governance structures.
Simultaneously, it has been confirmed that fees for Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) seats in private engineering colleges will rise by 7.5% for the 2026-27 academic year. Specifically:
- Fees at type-1 private engineering colleges will increase from Rs 81,800 to Rs 87,935.
- Fees at type-2 colleges will rise from Rs 91,000 to Rs 97,825.
These amounts exclude university registration and other processing fees. Notably, while colleges had sought a 15% hike, the government approved only a 7.5% increase. KUPECA attributed this adjustment to rising teachers' salaries and maintenance costs. This follows a similar 7.5% fee hike last year, although government engineering college fees will remain unchanged for 2026-27, contrasting with a 5% increase previously.
Student Organization Condemns Fee Hike
The fee increase has drawn sharp criticism from student groups. Ajay Kamath, state secretary of the All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO) in Karnataka, slammed the move, arguing that it commercializes education. "Increasing educational fees every year based on market calculations turns education into a profitable commodity for private institutions. Year after year, even middle-class students are finding themselves distanced from engineering, leading to a decline in admissions for engineering courses. The government must immediately withdraw this fee hike and fix fees that are affordable for everyone," he asserted. This highlights ongoing concerns about accessibility and affordability in higher education.
Additionally, the university fee is set at Rs 10,610, with colleges allowed to charge up to Rs 20,000 extra under the 'other fees' category, which could include components for skill training if the credit system is enforced. The dual developments of pushing for mandatory skill credits and implementing a fee hike underscore the evolving dynamics in Karnataka's engineering education sector, balancing quality enhancement with financial pressures.
