Fancy Engineering Undergraduate (UG) Courses

Recently I came across some media reports which suggest some new courses launched at undergraduate (UG) level (BE., B Tech) that are likely have huge demand in next five years. Since I doubt that claim, this blog is specifically to express my views on that subject.

Some of the UG courses predicted to have huge demand and job opportunities, in next five years are: robotics, automation, automotive design, data analytics, polymers, biochemical engineering, mechatronics. I would not like to mention any specific course, but try to put forward my view, giving some examples.

Few years back, a new engineering UG course was launched by a renowned university in Maharashtra (India), titled “Instrumentation Engineering”, with much fanfare. At that time, large number of students opted for the course. However, even before the first batch of UG students passed out in that course, it was realised it has very few job opportunities. As a result, many private engineering colleges that initially started the course backed out and closed the Department. In my opinion, any graduate mechanical, chemical or electronics engineer can fulfill the requirement of instrumentation engineer, after a brief initial training.

The story is somewhat similar in case of Bio-Chemical Engineering at UG level. Any UG chemical engineer can work in a biochemical industry, perhaps better, because he is able to take a 360⁰ view as a chemical engineer. There can be no difference of opinion, if I say mechanical, electrical or electronics engineer can work in robotics, automation, mechatronics and so on.

The point is, the job opportunities shall be much limited for the graduates (BE, B Tech) passing out from narrow engineering courses like biochemical engineering or robotics. To give an example, a chemical engineer graduate can work in biochemical engineering and also in many other chemical industries, but a graduate with biochemical engineering degree will find it difficult or will not be accepted by other chemical industries.

I feel, while choosing the engineering branch, first preference should be given to basic branches like chemical, civil, computer, electronics, electrical and mechanical engineering. It is better to avoid joining UG course with a narrow engineering scope, as discussed above. These subjects should be left for PG (MS, M Tech, ME) qualification.

Image Source: CERDEC Math and Science Summer Camp, 2013, US Army, @flickr.com Creative Commons License. 

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Boost for research

India's apex industry chamber, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)), is set to sign three MoUs for cooperation with three leading US institutions. The MOUs will be signed by the Prime Minister during his visit to US.

The first MoU with IC² Institute at the University of Texas at Austin calls for the implementation of new, distinctive programmes in India with the aim of helping Indian innovators bring their ideas to the world. The interdisciplinary research unit of The University of Texas at Austin, the IC² Institute has advanced the Theory and Practice of Entrepreneurial Wealth Creation.

With sponsorship from the Lockheed Martin Corporation, FICCI and IC² Institute teamed together in March 2007 to launch a first of its kind initiative ­ "The India Innovation Growth Programme" with the prime objective of assisting Indian innovators across the country and across a diversified range of sectors to take their R&D work to global markets.

The programme has successfully completed three years and has signed 73 business deals in India and around the world. Major deals have been signed under the programme in the sectors of waste management, rural technology, life sciences, avionics and green technology. The FICCI and IC² Institute have also jointly assessed 200 technologies from 26 DRDO labs across India and 7 licensing agreements have been finalised in India

The second MoU with the Polytechnic Institute of New York University commits the organizations to a culture of innovation in India. Under this pact, NYU-Poly and FICCI will design and host activities to promote an understanding of how partnerships between government, industry, and educational institutions can spur advances in research and bolster economic activity in India.

The two organisations have agreed to bring their respective strengths to meet India's growing demand for world-class research and development facilities that attract global talent. NYU-Poly, New York City's most comprehensive engineering and technology institutions of higher education, will showcase the successes of American models of private-public partnerships at events in India.

FICCI in turn will engage academic, research, government, and business entities in the cultivation of public-private partnerships.

The third MoU with the Institute of International Education, Inc. (IIE) outlines an agreement to partner to promote and facilitate educational and training exchanges between the United States and India. The IIE, a leading not-for-profit educational and cultural exchange organization in the United States, will collaborate with FICCI to facilitate more student exchanges and build academic partnerships between the two countries.

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Deemed universities: some suggestions

Dr J D Bapat

One can understand that the Government has a social agenda to fulfill. However to fix uniform fee structure for all deemed universities will not be appropriate. The fee structure of an educational institution must have a relation with what the institution spends on the academic development, namely laboratories, staff salary and welfare, students projects, teaching aids, computers, library and so on. In some States, the Shikshan Shulka Samiti appointed by the Government carries out this task. A similar body established at the Central Government level can do the job. In that case, the fee chargeable by an educational institution will be proportional to what the institution spends on the academic development. The Government should also ensure easy availability of the educational loans through banks.

Besides the faculty and the infrastructure, good students are essential to build a good institution. Centralised admission process is good, provided the transparency and the quality standards are maintained.

It should be noted that the academic autonomy is the key to quality education. Excessive controls will only paralyse the development of higher education in the country.

Comment whether should the fees in the educational institutions be related to their expenditure on the academic development activities.