AICTE launches 500 offline ‘ATAL Faculty Development Programs’

New Delhi, Feb19: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has launched 500 Offline ATAL Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) for the financial year 2025-26. The initiative was inaugurated by Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE.
In his inaugural address, Prof. Sitharam emphasized the significance of FDPs in providing quality training to faculty members. He highlighted the importance of integrating AI into engineering and technology, stating that every faculty member should understand how AI applies to their specific area. He further noted that AI is poised to transform many aspects of technology, underscoring the need for both teachers and students to be well-equipped for this technological shift. He also mentioned that this initiative reflects AICTE’s commitment to promoting continuous professional development and enhancing the quality of technical education in India. Additionally, Prof. Sitharam announced plans to launch 1,000 online FDPs in the near future.
The offline FDPs aim to foster a culture of continuous professional development, with 500 programs proposed for this year. Each BASIC FDP is a six-day course covering various emerging areas, including Advanced Materials, Semiconductors, Space and Defense, among others. Additionally, 50 ADVANCED FDPs, each lasting two weeks, will be organized. Out of 450 BASIC FDP, 100 are allocated to BBA/BCA.
Only AICTE-approved institutions are eligible to apply for the Offline ATAL FDPs. The programs are designed to benefit faculty members by enhancing their knowledge and skills, which can then be imparted to their students. The application portal will open on March 1, 2025, and institutions interested in conducting FDPs can submit their applications until March 31, 2025. Institutes can commence FDPs starting June 15, 2025.