AICTE, IPA sign MoU to introduce plumbing education in engineering, architecture institutions

The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) and the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) have inked an agreement to introduce a plumbing course in engineering and architecture institutes across India, according to officials. The MoU was signed by AICTE Chairman Anil D Sahasrabudhe and IPA National President Gurmit Singh Arora.

Students majoring in engineering, architecture, or interior design, as well as graduates with a “major” degree in civil, environmental, or mechanical engineering, architecture, or interior design, will be eligible to take a four-credit course in “Plumbing” (Water and Sanitation) according to the agreement.

Plumbing is a strongly felt requirement in engineering and architecture courses since plumbing is linked to a building’s health.

At the signing of the MoU, AICTE Chairman said, “The IPA and the AICTE have collaborated to create a 50-hour plumbing course that would be 80 percent theory and 20 percent practical.”

All educational institutions accredited by the technical education regulation should offer a plumbing (water and sanitation) programme to educate students for careers in the sector, according to the IPA and AICTE.

IPA will train institutional faculty to administer the plumbing course through AICTE’s faculty development programmes.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for all stakeholders in the plumbing industry because plumbing will become more organised and structured as a result,” said Arora. “One of IPA’s goals is to educate and instruct engineers, architects, and students in these fields on the characteristics of excellent and proper plumbing techniques.”