Rajasthan move to boost tech education

Updated on: Wednesday, July 20, 2011

To boost education standards, the state technical education department has come-up with many initiatives — from allocating grants to changing decade-old rules.

A move that could see a complete makeover of government polytechnic colleges is granting Rs 35 crore for college development. Rs 1 crore each will be spent on every polytechnic college in the state.

Vipin Chandra Sharma, principal secretary, technical education department , said recently the beneficiaries will use this grant for training, sending faculty aboard for a limited duration, upgrading equipment, improving infrastructure and strengthening IT network.

Until recently such polytechnic colleges attracted students from rural background but now numerous urban students also joining. Enrollment in technical education institutes are again becoming popular. In fact, the institutes lay the foundation by offering basic subjects which are later taught in degree engineering colleges.

Polytechnic colleges are in a poor condition. Many are running on bare minimum facilities. The department has to make the necessary amendments in the rules governing polytechnic colleges.

"Many of them have not received a single rupee grant for the past few decades. This move will revamp the entire polytechnic education system," said Sharma, who is hoping to attract students from other states.

Polytechnic students are mainly absorbed in automobiles, electrical, electronics , telecommunication and IT sectors . The trend is aspiring engineers opting for this course since polytechnic colleges follow a curriculum that strictly puts each and every technical detail under the microscope.

Another initiative of the department is helping enroll 40 engineering teachers into the PhD programme with leading engineering colleges including IITs. "These teachers will assist in research and train students on in a wide array of subjects," said Chandra.

Times of India

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