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5. Integrating Sciences and Engineering Education
We have entered a period in history where the distinction between sciences and
engineering has all but disappeared. Sciences are at the heart of engineering. To that
extent there is no distinction between the two. In order to reduce the perceived gap
between sciences and engineering we need to create mechanisms that allow mobility
between the two streams. One option could be to start four year undergraduate
programmes in sciences, initially in institutes of excellence where facilities for
science programmes already exist. This would enable pursuing doctoral programmes
in science and technology, without a Master's degree.
6. Encouraging Research
Several initiatives are necessary to promote research in engineering disciplines:
- Vibrant and well funded PhD programmes with opportunities for international
exposure should be rolled out to attract students who currently go abroad for
PhDs.
- The new academic and research institutions being established should be so
located that they can optimise mutual collaboration. Likewise, existing
academic institutions with active research programmes should be supported to
set up high-tech industrial research parks in the vicinity of their campuses.
- Universities must become the hub of research once again to capture synergies
between teaching and research. This will require changes in resource
allocation, reward systems and mindsets.
7. Industry-academia interaction
In order to attain greater alignment of engineering education with employment
opportunities, frequent dialogue with industry and government through seminars and
workshops is necessary. To enhance employability, summer internships should be
made an integral part of the curriculum. Restrictive provisions and the elaborate
regulatory framework of the Apprenticeship Act 1961 have inhibited industry from
adequately using the apprenticeship scheme for honing the skills of engineering
graduates. Clauses need to be incorporated in the Act that will enable training in
multiple skills (not just a specific trade) and allow entry to and exit from the scheme
at different points in the education and career cycle. Likewise, industry needs to
encourage continuing education programmes for their employees by collaborating
with appropriate educational institutes. Academia and industry should engage in joint
research to encourage innovation and competitiveness in the global economy.
8. Improve access
While the government would need to establish new institutions in the under-provided
states, it must be emphasised that the recent proliferation of engineering institutions in
the southern states is largely the result of private initiatives. A framework for publicprivate
partnerships should therefore be developed in collaboration with the
concerned states to establish new quality institutions.
9. Mentoring
Elite institutions should consider some additional responsibilities such as adopting a
few engineering institutions of their choice and helping them raise their standards,
creating and making available educational resources in the public domain for use of
all students and conducting distance education courses, especially for students at the
post-graduate level and working professionals. 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. Similarly, National Institutes of Technology and Regional
Engineering Colleges could play a mentoring role for selected engineering institutions
in their respective regions. 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.
We believe that the changes and reforms proposed in this letter are necessary to bring
about a qualitative transformation in engineering education to meet present and future
needs. We look forward to being engaged in consultations for their speedy
implementation.
Thank you and Warm Personal Regards,
Yours sincerely,
Sam Pitroda
Dr. Manmohan Singh,
Hon'ble Prime Minister of India
CC: Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission
Sh. Arjun Singh, Minister, Human Resource Development
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