New Delhi (PTI): Concerned over the "glaring regional imbalance" in the availability of engineering education, the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) has favoured elite institutions like IITs adopting some engineering institutions to raise their standards.

Noting that two-thirds of the engineering institutions are located in four southern states and Maharashtra, the NKC headed by Sam Pitroda wanted a framework for public-private partnerships to establish new quality institutions.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Commission has also suggested that the elite institutions like IITs and NITs could "mentor" the new institutions in order to help raise their standards.

"Mentoring by its definition is a voluntary activity, but if we can create an atmosphere where institutions of distinction feel a sense of calling in the interest of the larger national good, it would transform our education," Pitroda said.

In this regard, he said elite institutions should consider some additional responsibilities such as adopting a few engineering institutions of their choice and helping them raise their standards.

"In particular, the existing IITs could mentor the new ones being established. The latter, in due course, could play a similar role vis-a-vis others," the NKC said.

Similarly, National Institutes of Technology and Regional Engineering Colleges could play a mentoring role for selected engineering institutions in their respective regions.