With the growing demand for management degrees, AICTE on Thursday announced that it would roll out two new management programmes for students who can enroll after class XII.

The technical education governing body in the country announced the dual-degree programme in management and an integrated management course.

AICTE chairman S S Mantha said under the dual degree programme, a student can get dual degree in bachelors and post-graduate with the option of taking a break after the third and fourth year for industry training. The five-year programme will allow students to get hands-on experience, while retaining seat to pursue h/his degree of choice upto PG level.

A student can take up a job after completing h/his three-year bachelor programme in management or s/he can continue one year of the masters programme and get accumulated credit for advanced management and then opt for the job. "A student can then come back after a year's experience and complete the final year leading to masters in management," Mantha told reporters here, adding, there will be separate tests for enrolment into the dual course, the dates of which will be announced soon.

Talking about the integrated management programme, he said it can be pursued by engineering, architecture, pharmacy or hotel management students under the technical stream. Admission to this programme will be through the existing entrance tests. This will be a five-year programne along with 18 months of technical course (either in pharmacy, architecture or engineering) and six months of industry internship.

The AICTE has 3, 800 approved institutes under it that can choose to introduce the course from the coming academic session.