Chandigarh : The AICTE has initiated a policy under which universities and colleges along with their normal courses will start entrepreneurship courses, a senior functionary said on Friday.

Professor Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi (AICTE) said that there was a need to create a support system for students, including more internship programme or skill programme to hone the skills of students.

“We need to bring students into ‘start-up culture’ and provide a platform where they can convert their bright ideas into innovation,” Sahasrabudhe told media on the occasion of the 51st annual day of the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR).

“We should focus on start-ups. The AICTE, has made its own start-up policy through which universities and colleges along with their normal courses will start entrepreneurship courses,” he said.

The role of the AICTE, he said, was not just of a regulator but also as a facilitator committed to improving the quality of technical education.

He said laboratories and research centres should be opened for 24 hours for students so that they can do research and draw new ideas.

“Indian students have a lot of potential, we need to identify and channelize their ideas in a right direction,” he said.

Professor K.K. Talwar, Chairman of the board of governors of NITTTR, advised the faculty and staff of the institute to rededicate themselves to achieving the objectives and meeting the challenges posed by the dynamic and fast changing socio-economic environment in the country.

He emphasised institutional involvement in improving the healthcare system of the country.

—IANS