Pune: Approximately 6,000 institutions across the country have received accreditation for BBA and BCA programs, with Karnataka leading the count followed by Maharashtra, according to Dr. T.G. Sitaram, Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Speaking to the press after the convocation ceremony at Savitribai Phule Pune University, Dr. Sitaram explained that BBA and BCA courses have been brought under AICTE's purview by law. He emphasized the need to enhance the quality of these courses, similar to the standards of MBA and MCA programs.

Despite initial resistance, many institutions have now accepted the accreditation requirements, with around 6,000 institutions nationwide receiving accreditation on an as-is basis. The deadline for accreditation has also been extended.

The curriculum for BBA and BCA programs has been published, and teacher training has been conducted. Students can register for internships on the official website and will also be eligible for scholarships. Discussions are ongoing regarding the provision of educational stipends, Dr. Sitaram noted.

Accredited BBA and BCA institutions will not undergo inspections for two years, but they must meet AICTE standards within that period. This year, new technical education institutions have been accredited nationwide, with engineering colleges making up the majority. Some technical institutions have also been closed, Dr. Sitaram added.

BBA and BCA courses now have the status of professional programs. Consequently, they should receive scholarships similar to other professional courses, which necessitates state government support. Discussions with state higher education secretaries have taken place, but the final decision rests with the state governments, Dr. Sitaram clarified.