The idea of ‘School Connect’ introduced by Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) has led to rise in admissions to Diploma Engineering courses in Maharashtra. From 41% admissions witnessed in 2018-19, the admissions rose to 85% in the academic year 2022-23. Issue of seat vacancy is being faced by technical institutions in Maharashtra running Diploma Engineering. In 2019, Director of Technical Education, Dr Abhay Wagh observed admissions in Diploma courses were dwindling. In fact some colleges preferred to down the shutters. “The phase was not good because Diploma Engineering plays an important part. Considering that aspect we had decided to involve students studying in Class X. Polytechnics approached nearby schools. They identified schools with Class X and approached them. Faculty of polytechnic under the leadership of Principal interacted with Headmasters, then with faculty and then with students of Class X. Everything was explained to them including the functioning of polytechnics, better opportunities in higher education and job prospects,” explained Dr Abhay Wagh.

 

“In Nagpur also we did the same. The polytechnics explained to them how the skill-based education is imbibed in them that would help them in getting jobs. We sent the details to Director Dr Wagh,” pointed out Dr Manoj Daigavhane, Joint Director of Nagpur Region. In 2018-19 the per centage of admissions was 41, in 2019-20 it rose to 50, it increased to 60 in 2020-21 while in 2021-22 the per centage of admissions further increased to 70 and this year 2022-23 everybody witnessed 85%. The total seats in Diploma Engineering were 1 lakh this year of which 84,452 seats filled. Polytechnics in State had visited 12,083 schools of 368 talukas of 36 districts and explained the concept of diploma engineering to 6.5 lakh students. Over last five years, DTE has increased the facility centres for students to 339. DTE had trained Chief Coordinator, Scrutiny Officer and Nodal officer for e-scrutiny, e-FC and guiding students for filling the applications through mobile.

 

“With full support from Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil and Principal Secretary Vikaschandra Rastogi, we applied several schemes. In 9 Government and 36 unaided institutions we started courses of new emerging technology including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning; Mechatronics; Automation and Robotics; Cloud Computing and Big Data, Computer Engineering and IoT,” elaborated Dr Wagh. Acting on the instructions of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) regarding giving engineering education in Indian languages, DTE did it. Dr Wagh put a very valid point, “Government spends Rs 50,000 to Rs 1.10 lakh behind every student studying in Polytechnic from taluka, district, region to metro city. Average cost comes to Rs 70,000. Why Government should bear the burden even of a one vacant seat?” Earlier the admissions were done through Common Entrance Test Cell. DTE decided not to hold CET for the admissions to Diploma engineering that made a difference.