New AICTE format for MTech certificates to ensure clarity in qualifications

New AICTE format for MTech certificates to ensure clarity in qualifications

 Priyadarshini.Gupta@timesofindia.com 16.09.2024 

To ensure quality in technical education, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) recently approved a standardised format for postgraduate certificate courses. It has directed all institutions offering Master of Technology (MTech) to uniformly adopt the standardised format for issuing their certificates, starting from this academic year. 

The format clearly specifies the main branch of engineering, followed by the specialisation within parentheses. For example, if a student has completed his/her MTech in the field of Computer Science with a focus on Artificial Intelligence, the certificate should read: MTech in Computer Science (specialisation in Artificial Intelligence). The approach will not only bring uniformity across all institutions but also enhance the recognition and value of the qualifications conferred to students.

 Core area of expertise TG Sitharam, chairman, AICTE, says, “The primary reason for introducing a standardised format for MTech certificates is to en sure that the main branch of study is clearly reflected alongside the specialisation. This clarity is crucial for recruiters and other stakeholders, as it makes it easier and allows them to accurately understand the student’s core area of expertise. The format will also benefit the recruitment process for employers when hiring across states or from multiple institutions. It will simplify the process for employers by making it easier to compare and verify credentials along with the main branch and specialisation.” The process will simplify the selection process as in an era of interdisciplinary education, where specialisations often overlap, explicitly stating the main branch provides a clear foundation of the student's academic background. 

“This distinction not only enhances the transparency of the qualifications but also ensures that the candidate's knowledge in their core field is recognised,  giving them an edge in fields where interdisciplinary skills are becoming increasingly relevant,” added Sitharam.