The Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme has been formulated in collaboration with the World Bank and is implementing interventions aligned with the National Educational Policy-2020. Out of the scheme outlay of ₹4,200 crore, the World Bank is extending a loan of ₹2,100 crore.
Government-run and government-aided technical institutions are expected to be selected and supported under the scheme. This will include selected National Institutes of Technology, State Engineering Institutions, Polytechnics and Affiliating Technical Universities. About 7.5 lakh students will benefit from the scheme, an official statement said.
#Cabinet approves Budgetary Support for Multidisciplinary Education and Research improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 4,200 crore
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The scheme is expected to drive digitalisation strategies, development of guidelines for multidisciplinary programs among technical courses, increase learning and employability skills of students, and increase in transition rate of students across student groups.
The initiative emphasises enhancing students’ skills to improve their employability through a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach, the update said.
Moreover, the scheme aims to strengthen the research and innovation environment, improve quality assurance and governance mechanisms, resulting in long-term benefits, and develop labour market-aligned curriculum and blended courses, and finally develop future academic administrators, especially women faculty.
The major reform areas in the policy include revamping the curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, multidisciplinary programs among technical courses, strengthening the research ecosystem, developing future academic administrators, faculty skill upgradation, addressing gender gaps in technical education, and reducing the digital divide.
