AICTE launches BTech textile engineering curriculum, seeks feedback on BCA curriculum draft

NEW DELHI: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has published the final model curriculum for undergraduate textile engineering courses and introduced the draft model curriculum for bachelor of computer applications (BCA) programmes, inviting public feedback.

AICTE chairman TG Sitharam, along with the expert committee headed by Abhijit Majumdar, presided the launch of the textile engineering model curriculum. AICTE vice chairman Abhay Jere and member secretary Rajive Kumar were also present at the event.

Aligning curriculum with industry needs

During his keynote speech, Sitharam emphasized that the finalized curriculum is in line with AICTE's goal of equipping students for the rapidly changing textile industry. The curriculum blends foundational science and engineering courses with specialized subjects, including textile technology, sustainability, nanotechnology, smart textiles, and technical textiles.

Emphasis on practical learning

According to the official press release, a key feature of the curriculum is its focus on practical learning, which includes a summer internship programme designed to give students real-world experience in industrial environments.

Additionally, the curriculum features elective courses that focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the circular economy, ensuring that students are well-prepared to address modern-day challenges.

Encouraging interdisciplinary studies

Universities are urged to offer additional electives, including minor specializations and micro-credit courses, which allow students to pursue 18-20 credit specializations in interdisciplinary fields. According to the AICTE press release, this added flexibility helps students develop a wider knowledge of the textile industry, thereby improving their employability and relevance in the industry.

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Feedback for BCA honors curriculum

Alongside the textile engineering curriculum, the AICTE introduced the draft model curriculum for BCA Honors programmes. This draft is currently available for public input and is designed to integrate the latest international trends in computing education, as per AICTE.

The draft curriculum, introduced by Sitharam and the expert committee, features a combination of foundational computing concepts and courses relevant to the industry. As per the AICTE official press release, the curriculum incorporates summer internships, a required three-week induction programme, and the integration of the Indian Knowledge System, alongside opportunities for industrial visits and workshops.

Flexible degree options

As stated in AICTE press release, tailored for flexibility, the draft curriculum provides options for both a three-year (120 credits) and a four-year (160 credits) programme, degrees of BCA, BCA (Honors), or BCA (Honors with research).

The AICTE official press release read, “This structure ensures students have the opportunity to acquire advanced skills while also developing strong entrepreneurial and problem-solving capabilities. AICTE encourages institutions, educators, and industry professionals to provide their valuable feedback on this draft curriculum to help refine it further.”