Support to Students for Participating in Competitions Abroad (SSPCA) Initiative

About Support to Students for Participating in Competitions Abroad (SSPCA) Initiative

• It is an initiative of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) aimed at bolstering the global competitiveness of Indian students in technical education.
• It is designed to financially support students aspiring to compete in international scientific events.
• Financial Assistance and Mentorship:
  • Under the SSPCA scheme, individual students or student teams are eligible to receive travel grants to partake in international competitions.
  • The assistance encompasses financial aid, mentorship, logistical support, and networking opportunities, enabling students to represent India on a global platform effectively.
  • Financial aid provided by the AICTE scheme reaches up to Rs 2 lakh per student, covering various expenses like international and domestic travel, registration fees, visa applications, accommodation, airport taxes, travel insurance, and equipment costs related to the competition.
• Eligibility:
  • Eligibility extends to students enrolled in diploma, BE/BTech, integrated MTech, and ME/MTech programs in AICTE-approved institutions.
  • Each team of students is eligible for financial support under the scheme once during their course of study.

What is All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)?

• It is the statutory body and the national-level council for technical education in the country.
• It was set up in 1945 as an advisory body and later, in 1987, given statutory status by an Act of Parliament. 
• Functions:
  • It grants approval for starting new technical institutions, for the introduction of new courses, and for variations in intake capacity in technical institutions. 
  • The AICTE has delegated to the concerned state governments powers to process and grant approval for new institutions, starting new courses and variations in the intake capacity for diploma-level technical institutions.
  • It also lays down norms and standards for such institutions. 
  • It also ensures the quality development of technical education through the accreditation of technical institutions or programmes.
  • In addition to its regulatory role, the AICTE also has a promotional role, which it implements through schemes for promoting technical education for women, handicapped, and weaker sections of society promoting innovations, faculty, research and development, and giving grants to technical institutions.
• The technical institutions under the AICTE include post-graduate, under-graduate, and diploma programs in the whole spectrum of technical education, covering engineering/technology, pharmacy, architecture, hotel management and catering technology, management studies, computer applications, and applied arts and crafts.
• The AICTE has its headquarters in New Delhi.

Q1) What is Technical Education?

Technical Education plays a vital role in human resource development of the country by creating skilled manpower, enhancing industrial productivity and improving the quality of life of its people. Technical Education covers programmes in engineering, technology, management, architecture, town planning, pharmacy, applied arts & crafts, hotel management and catering technology.

Source: Technical education body to support students in global competitions