Around 60 new colleges are in pipeline for the affiliation with Punjabi University for the session 2013-14. There is four fold increase in the number of colleges than the last year.This was said by Dr Jamshid Ali Khan, Dean, College Development Council, Punjabi Universiy, Patiala while addressing the media in National Seminar on “Drug Abuse among Adolescents-Issues & Challenges” organized by Aryans Group of Colleges, Chandigarh. The event was presided over by Dr. Anshu Kataria, Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges.Dr Khan further added that out of those 60 applications, more than half colleges have requested to start B.Ed course, while others are for Management, Degree, Agriculture, Physical Education Colleges etc. Khan added that in next 10 days the Letter of Intent (LOI) will be issued to the eligible applicants after proper verification of documents. Afterwards, in next 15 days affiliations would be given only to those colleges who fulfill all requirements of physical infrastructure, faculty, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures etc.
Answering the questions of reporters, Dr Khan welcomed the step of National Council for Technical Education (NCTE) of removing the 3 year old ban on permitting new B.Ed colleges in Punjab. But at the same time he insisted that NCTE should do proper survey of demand and supply before permitting any college.Dr Khan also mentioned that from 2013-14, Punjabi university has added new concept of ‘single faculty college’. Under this land requirement has been reduced to 1.6 acre from 5 acre. But for Degree College land requirement would remain to 5 acre only. Under ‘single faculty college’ Courses under one faculty can be started. Dr Khan added that now the Punjabi University would be very particular before giving affiliation. The focus would be on qualitative expansion not on quantitative expansion.