Relevant curriculum needed

BANGALORE: As the government plans large-scale expansion of technical and engineering education in the country by adding nearly 1,040 more technical institutions, the question whether indicators such as quality of students, curriculum, pedagogy and infrastructure will improve remains unrequited. In an exclusive interaction with Express, the Country Head for the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)-the largest professional body of engineers in Europe, Shekhar Sanyal said that the quality indicators in good colleges were not consistent across other colleges, especially concerning engineering education."There is a three-level problem here.First, the lenient selection process in colleges.Secondly, the method of instruction and quality of teaching. Lastly, the lack of world-class infrastructure and facilities which is consistent across all the colleges,” said Sanyal.Speaking about the current curriculum Sanyal said that the present curriculum for engineering education was neither relevant nor current.“One way to look at the quality of engineering colleges was to look at the quality of students after graduation.What is the reason for such a high level of unemployment? Why are IT and engineering companies increasing the training cycles of new recruits to six months?” asked Sanyal.He opined any change in curricula should focus on ‘self-discovery.Sanyal said, “The focus of teaching should be more on analytical thinking, problemsolving, solution-based, creativity and innovation”.He added that the curriculum should also involve technical visits, graded hands-on projects every year, internships spanning across start-up organisations to large private corporations and companies in their chosen area of specialisation.Engineering London OlympicsThe IET, which is based out of Hertsfordshire in England, is engaged in initiatives to highlight the contributions of engineers and technicians towards the 2012 London Olympics, which opens on July 27.Sanyal feels that engineers in India stand to learn a great deal from the way the London Olympics is being engineered.“An event the size of the Olympics requires vision, planning, innovation and dedication.All this is on ample demonstration behind the London Olympics.For engineers in India, the London Olympics will foremost serve as an inspiration,” said Sanyal.