Dynamic curriculum is the need of the hour, say experts

Updated on: Monday, March 08, 2010

Are engineering colleges and technical education institutions such as polytechnics adapting themselves to the dynamics of education?

With this as a broad theme, an international seminar on ‘Sustaining Quality in Engineering Education-Global Challenges and Opportunities' was held in Madurai on February 25 to discuss the strategies for implementing a successful model in tune with the requirements.

Delegates from several countries took part in the seminar which was organised jointly by the National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research (NITTTR), Chennai, and the Thiagarajar College of Engineering (TCE), Madurai.

According to S. Mohan, Director, NITTR, there are three issues that require attention in engineering education. Firstly, it has to be seen whether the curriculum developed for engineering courses is oriented towards the industry's present needs or it still remains the traditional one.

Secondly, it has to be seen why there are not many women engineers coming out of colleges. “Women in engineering education must be encouraged. Even in Kerala which has a high percentage of girls in education, only less than 10 per cent come to engineering studies. The reasons should be looked into," Dr. Mohan said.

The third issue which is “bothering,” is with regard to industry-institute interaction. “Some paradigm shift is needed… there is a lot to be done in this area. Engineering colleges should have constant interaction with the industry. The mindset of 70 per cent theory and 30 per cent for practicals has to change. We need to look at this issue critically and focus on employability of graduates,” the NITTR Director said.

V. Abhaikumar, principal, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, who inaugurated the seminar, said there was a gap in interaction between industry/society and academic institutions.

“There can be a better way of presenting the curriculum and students must be equipped with analytical ability,” he said.

Dr. Abhaikumar also suggested that it should be seen whether engineering colleges are able to provide lasting/practical solutions to problems. “First, the research or teaching must be relevant. Only then it can be made excellent,” the TCE principal said.

He asked the managements of engineering colleges to have a network of collaborations and improve teaching-learning processes.

S. Dhanapal, Professor at the Curriculum Development Centre, NITTTR, said the participants were exposed to successful models in implementing curriculum changes and maintaining good quality.

“Our conference was of the view that a dynamic curriculum will be the key to sustain quality in engineering education,” he said.

S. Ratnavel, Member, Board of Governors of Engineering Council of India, and Anandavalli Mahadevan, former vice-chancellor, Mother Teresa Women's University, participated in the seminar.

Dynamic curriculum is the need of the hour, say experts

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