Recently, the country celebrated Engineering Day. Industry experts tell SHAlINI SAKSENA that there is urgent need to shift the focus from theory to practical so that engineers can contribute more to the society
Engineering Day that was celebrated all over the country on September 15 to commemorate the birthday of the engineer Sir M Visvesvaraya (1861-1962). He was a recipient of the Indian Republic's highest honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1955. His contribution was his genius in harnessing water resources. He was the brain behind design and construction of several dams, bridges and implementing several drinking water schemes all over India.
But in recent times, it has been found that the calibre of the students who are passing out from a majority of the private institutions are unable to put into practice what they have learnt as engineers. Industry experts say that the reason for this is that many colleges only focus on theory and have very little to teach when it comes to practical. “Despite the demand in the curriculum that the students submit a project that they have worked on. Unfortunately, what most engineers do is buy these projects that are available for a price. The result is that whatever they have learnt comes to a naught. What engineering students need to do is to think how they can contribute to the society. Finding a comfortable job should not be the only aim for engineers. They should have the zeal to make something,” Shekhar Sanyal, director and country head, Institution of Engineering & Technology says.
He tells you that in order to ensure that there is need to focus on key areas so that India doesn’t need to import technology; that our engineers instead of replicating it create new things. The problem is that even though 15 lakh engineering students pass out from various institutes every year, none have the skills that are up to industry standards,” Sanyal says adding that the five areas to work on are the students themselves, the parents, colleges, industry and the Government.
Students: There is need to find out if one has the inclination to be a good engineer. Just because everyone is pursuing the course doesn’t mean one should also go for it. One should look for alternatives and there are several lucrative options.
Parents: It is time that parents stopped pushing their ward into a stream which the child doesn't want to pursue. There is urgent need has to change the mindset. ‘My son needs to pursue engineering to get a good job’ has to change.
Colleges: The admission criteria should be strictly on merit basis. The focus should change from theory to practical. The projects that are given to the students to test their knowledge should be marked on originality rather than replication.
Industry: There is need for companies as well to train the fresh engineers. They should hold discussions with the colleges on what is required and how best bridge the gap that is widening.
Government: There is a framework in the country on how the education system works. There are several apex bodies that see that this system is followed. What the Government should do is become more responsible and be accountable when money is involved. Just giving a grant is not enough to produce good engineers.