 TECHNICAL EDUCATION

In the field of technical education, the following are the main programmes followed during the Fifth Five-Year Plan: (1) Development of postgraduate studies and research; (2) Establishing linkages between technical institutions and industry; (3) Linking technical education with manpower requirements ; (4) Consolidation of existing engineering colleges and polytechnics ; (5) Reorganisation of degree and diploma courses ; (6) Faculty development through training programmes (7) Curriculum development ; (8) Diversification of courses and (9) Development of management education.

As before, all these programmes continued to be carried out during the year through the engineering education complex permeating the entire country and consisting of institutes of technology, university departments of engineering and technology, the institutes of management, the specialised institutes of mining, architecture, industrial design and forge and foundry, the regional engineering colleges, the technical teachers' training institutes, other engineering colleges, and polytechnics, including women's poly- technics, a good number of which came into being as a result of planned development.

The year saw a further improvement in the over-all admissions. Against the actual admission of 22,454 into engineering colleges and 44,961 into polytechnics in 1975-76, the actual admissions in 1976-77 were 23,450 and 46,500 respectively. The out-turn of graduates and diploma-holders likewise was 15,500 and 23,500 during the year, against 14,019 and 18,000 respectively during 1975-76. As was advised by the All India Council for Technical Education, the Central Government requested the State Governments to restore the original admissions capacity that

was reached in 1966-67, wherever the demand so justified. Besides restoring the admission level in normal branches of engineering, a number of quality improvement programmes are being introduced especially to meet the demands of the industry. During 1976-77, expenditure in various development programmes of technical education was estimated to be of the order of Rs. 16.78 crore as against the original provision of Rs. 15.58 crore for all technical education programmes.

Consolidation and development of the existing facilities and reorganisation of degree and diploma courses with a view to improving the quality and standard of technical education and to meet the demands of industry by diversification of the courses continued to be the keynote of the activities in 1976-77. A number of programmes were undertaken to improve the quality of teaching by providing teachers with facilities for obtaining higher qualifications or conducting short-term courses in summer institutes or providing training in industry.

Efforts were continued to provide the new orientation to tech- nical education facilities at all levels with an eye on the require- ments of technical personnel, in terms of quality and training for industries. The programmes at postgraduate and research levels continued to be improved in consultation with the industry for producing highly specialised technical personnel for research, development and design. It was recommended to the State Governments that the salary scales for teachers in engineering colleges and polytechnics be revised to attract and retain competent faculty for them.

Many well-established institutions have developed expertise for consultation, undertaking research and fostering problem-solving capability relating to industry of their area. The institutions are also collaborating with R&D (research and development) and D (development) Committees set up by the Department of Science and Technology in 17 States to provide assistance and help to the small- scale industry.

Student Amenities.-Book banks are being established in engi- neering colleges and polytechnics as in other educational insti- tutions. For this purpose, the All India Council for Technical Education recommended that each technical institution should set up a textbook library or a book bank to help poor students who are unable to purchase books from their own resources. For this purpose a provision of Rs. 20,000 per engineering college and Rs. 10,000 per polytechnic was recommended. Necessary action for the establishment of book banks was taken by most of the State Governments. In implementing another part of this programme, it was also suggested to the State Governments that cooperative stores should be established in all institutions to provide stationery and exercise books, etc. to the students at cheaper rates.

All the Central institutions like the Indian Institutes of Tech- nology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, etc. took up the programme and implemented it effectively. Multiple copies of the prescribed books for several courses and more particularly of the costlier books were placed separately in the institutes' libraries. The students make easy use of these books in the ample study corners of the libraries. The number of such acquisitions has been increasing according to the need. The books are also loaned out to students, especially scheduled caste/tribe students for the duration of the course. Arrangements have been made to enable the students to get stationery items at reasonable rates. A concerted effort is being made to keep down the common expenditure in the students' messes by proper and optimal utilisation of the services of staff. Besides, wastage of materials is kept to the minimum, if not almost eliminated.

In all the Institutes of Technology and the Institute of Science, Bangalore, special coaching classes have been provided to all new scheduled caste/tribe, entrants ; besides, they are being given free tuition, free hostel room and a scholarship of Rs. 150 per head per month for undergraduate courses. It may be added here that in regard to admission 20 per cent reservation was already introduced for scheduled caste/tribe entrants.

All India Council For Technical Education.-The All India Council for Technical Education at its meeting held on 21st May, 1976 at New Delhi made the following important recommendations in the field of technical education :-

(a) Duration of First Degree Course in Engineering.-As a sequel to the introduction of the revised pattern of 10 + 2 education system, there should be a uniform pattern of four-year first degree course in engineering for all engineering colleges and institutions and the entry to this course should be after 12-year schooling.

(b) Duration of the Diploma Course in Engineering.-As a sequel to the introduction of revised pattern of 10 + 2 education system, the duration of the full-time diploma course be normally three years and the minimum educational qualification for entry to the course be the completion of 10-year schooling.

Special Assistance for the Improvement of Engineering Colleges and Polytechnics.--The All India Council for Technical Education during its 21st meeting held on 22nd April, 1972, while considering the progress of the Fourth Plan schemes in the field of technical education, expressed concern that although the progress of the schemes in the Central sector had been satisfactory, there was a serious shortfall in regard to the scheme of consolidation of technical institutions and quality improvement in the State sector. The matter was examined and the Central Government made a provision of Rs. 1.5 crore to assist engineering colleges and polytechnics for their quality improvement. This provision of Rs. 1.5 crore was expected to be utilised during 1976-77.

Quality Improvement Programme.-Initiated in 1970-71, the programme provides for the improvement of quality and standard of technical education system in India. It aims at the improvement of the quality of technical teachers through programmes on faculty development, curriculum development, preparation of instructional materials, textbooks and laboratory development, etc., implemented through various agencies, like the IITs/IISc, Bangalore, Roorke University, TTTIs, ISTE and Allahabad Polytechnic.

The faculty development programme during 1976-77 envisaged training for 80 fresh teachers for M. Tech. and 100 for Ph.D. degree covering 1200-1400 teachers in the summer institutes and short-term courses for teachers at degree and diploma levels, as in the earlier year. The Curriculum Development Programme envisaged organising 14 groups, to develop the curriculum.

Programme of Apprenticeship Training-The apprentices Act, 1961 provides for the regulation and control of training of apprentices in trade and for matters connected therewith. Previously, the training of graduate engineers and diploma-bolders was being arranged by the Ministry of Education under a voluntary scheme known as 'Programme of Apprenticeship Training'. The object is to provide practical training facilities to unemployed engineers and diploma-bolders in order to condition them for gainful employment in the industry. The Apprentices Act, 1961, was amended by Apprentices (Amendment) Act, 1973, to provide statutory backing for the training of engineering graduates and diploma-holders.

The training programme in each region is looked after by the directors, boards of apprenticeship training located at Kanpur, Calcutta, Bombay and Madras. The boards are autonomous organisations and fully financed by the Central Government. The Apprentices (Amendment) Act, 1973 came into force from 1st December, 1974 and rules under the Act were notified by the Ministry of Labour on 27th May, 1975, while the Boards started functioning under the Act on 21 st July, 1975 when their directors/ training officers were designated as authorities under the Act.

The amended Act provides that the cost of stipend shall be borne by the Central Government and the employer in equal shares up to such limit as may be laid down by the Central Government and beyond that limit by the employer alone as against the entire Cost of stipend being borne by the Central Government under the voluntary scheme. The minimum stipends per month per head provided under the Act are: (i) Graduate apprentices Rs. 280 ; (ii) Technician apprentices Rs. 180 (iii) Sandwich course

students from degree institutions Rs. 180 ; and (iv) Sandwich course students from diploma institutions Rs. 150.

The apprenticeship rules framed under the Act also provide for the reservation of training places for the scheduled caste/tribe apprentices.

Fresh stipendiary trainees during 1976-77 were of the order of 12,200, while 13,080 trainees were selected during 1975-76 whose training was due to be completed during the year under report.

Postgraduate Courses and Research Work.-For the development of postgraduate education and research in engineering during the Fifth Five-Year Plan, the Government of India provide 100 per cent Central assistance to State Governments and non-government engineering colleges in the country for buildings, equipment, maintenance, staff and scholarships at the rate of Rs. 400 per month per student to all students. Thirty-eight government and non-government engineering colleges with a total annual intake of 1200 students in various postgraduate courses are receiving such assistance.

Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.-The five Institutes of Technology at Kharagpur, Bombay, Madras, Kanpur and Delhi and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore are autonomous statutory bodies of all-India character accorded with powers to frame their own academic policy, conduct their own examinations and award their own degrees. During the year under report. these Institutes continued to make significant contributions in promoting technological education and research. Apart from the training of scientists, engineers and technologists, these institutes are engaged in research and development activities in areas which are of crucial importance to industrial and economic development. Industrial training, industry-oriented research programmes, consultancy service, and training and placement coordination are some of the factors that give these institutes their distinctive character. The main aim of these institutes is to produce technologists and scientists comparable to the very best in the world with

the watchward, 'Pursuit of excellence'. The Institutes of Technology offer a five-year undergraduate programme leading to bachelor degree in technology in aeronautical, agricultural, civil, chemical, mechanical, electrical, metallurgical, mining, naval, architecture, textile technology, etc. In science discipline they conduct integrated master's degree courses of five years' duration in physics, chemistry and mathematics. The postgraduate study offers two years' course leading to M. Tech. degree in specialised areas in all these disciplines and one-year diploma course in a few selected areas. They also offer Ph.D. in all the branches of engineering, sciences, humanities and social sciences.

At the instance of the Department of Science and Technology, a Committee was set up under the chairmanship of Dr. Y. Nayu-damma to identify the areas of excellence in each IIT which could be developed for advanced research in the context of the National Science & Technology Plan. As recommended by the Committee, the Council of IITs approved the setting up of the following centres :

             IIT Kharagpur                           Cryogenic Engineering
        
             IIT Bombay                              Resources Engineering 
        
             IIT Madras                              Ocean Engineering 
        
             IIT Kanpur                              Material Science
        
             IIT Delhi                               Energy Studies

The centres started working during the year under report.

The student population in the IITs during 1976-77 was :

                                          
        IIT at              Under-         Post-     Research        Total
                            graduate       graduate
                                          
        1                   2              3              4             5   
                                          
        Kharagpur      1689                541            276          2506
        Bombay         1292                354            249          1900
        Madras         1226                481            353          2060
        Kanpur         1160                425            362          1947
        Delhi          1120                381            303          1804
                                          
             TOTAL     6487                2182           1543        10217

A brief account of the important developments in the Institutes during the year is indicated below.

IIT Bombay.-The following new centres/schools/programmes of inter-disciplinary and inter-IIT research were started : (i) materials science and technology ; (ii) energy studies ; (iii) industrial consultancy centre ; (iv) resources engineering ; (v) earth sciences ; and (vi) environmental engineering.

IIT Kanpur.-The following new programmes taken up during the Fifth Plan were continued : (i) bio-engineering and biosciences ; (ii) energy studies ; (iii) engineering design ; (iv) environmental engineering ; and (v) laser applications, etc.

IIT Madras.-The following centres were established during the year ; (i) centre for energy research ; (ii) engineering design centre ; (iii) fibre reinforced plastics research centre ; (iv) material science research centre ; (v) regional sophisticated instrumentation centre ; and (vi) centre for ocean engineering.

IIT Kharagpur.-The Institute introduced several new postgraduate and research programmes, e.g., dairy and food engineering, ship- building and construction, coal process engineering and computer engineering. A comprehensive plan for water use and management in the farmer's field in Midnapur district was started and a Jersy bull mother farm for improving the breed of cows in local villages was in the process of being established.

IIT Delhi.-The following new inter-disciplinary schools of re- search were established : (i) school of energy studies ; (ii) school of materials science and technology ; and (iii) school of systems and management studies.

In addition, an industrial consultancy and liaison centre was established. 20 summer/winter schools or short-term courses were organised by different departments for the benefit of engineers, teachers and researchers of other universities and organisations.

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.-With the accumulated experience of 65 years, the Institute has developed capabilities for a three-level functioning : as a centre for learning and research in branches of science and technology which are increasingly interpenetrative and inter-disciplinary ensuring growth of scientific manpower at the higher levels ; as a centre for the application of science and technology problems of the country ; and as a centre for intellectual renewal and rejuvenation for those who the already active in research, industry and education. Besides offering bachelor of engineering degree in eight branches including aeronautical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical communication engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, metallurgy and automation, the Institute offers M. Tech. degree in physical engineering, industrial management, molecular biophysics, and digital communication and data processing. It also offers Ph.D. degree in all these branches and in science subjects. A new diploma course in the centre for electronics and design technology was started during the year.

The intake and outturn of students during 1975-76 were:

                                           Enrolment           Outturn
        
             Research                      103                 95   Ph.D.
                                                                2   M. SC.
        
             M.E./M. Tech.                 212                 184
        
             B.E.                           81                  87
        
             Diploma                        33                  22
                                          
                                 Total     429                  390

Regional Engineering colleges.-The fourteen regional engineering colleges set up in various States are making satisfactory progress with regard to consolidation and development. While all offer first degree courses in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, some offer architecture, metallurgy, electronics and chemical engineering. Ten of these colleges have since introduced postgraduate courses. Of these, nine are conducting industry-oriented postgraduate courses in specialised fields like design and production of high pressure boilers and accessories, heavy machines for steel plants, transportation engineering, industrial and marine structure, electronic instrumentation, integrated power systems, etc. The fifteenth college established at Silchar (Assam) is expected to start functioning from July, 1977.

As recommended by the All India Council for Technical Education in its meetings in May, 1974 and on 21st May, 1976, an advisory committee, consisting of all concerned interests including the industry and engineering profession, for all these colleges to advise on all policy matters and lay down guidelines for further development was set up during the year.

National Institute for Training in Industrial Engineering, Bombay.-Set up in 1967 with the assistance of UNDP to provide comprehensive training facilities in industrial engineering and allied fields, the Institute conducts a number of short-term courses for industrial executives and a postgraduate diploma course in industrial engineering besides consultancy work. The short-term courses include executive development programmes and unit-based programmes, etc.

The executive development programme courses conducted during the year totalled 64 and the unit-based programme, 12. The Institute admitted 57 students into its two-year residential postgraduate programme in industrial engineering.

National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology, Ranchi.-The Institute was set up in 1966 with the assistance of UNDP/Unesco to provide facilities for (i) forge education and research in the form of full-time courses, vacation courses

and the like (ii) the training of senior executive personnel for foundry industry ; (iii) the training of suitably qualified personnel for industry in the latest production techniques and methods, design and development ; and (iv) conducting applied research in the field of foundry and forge technology.

During the year, the Institute conducted 6 refresher courses benefiting 108 participants from industry, a special course for 13 participants on foundry technology of iron and steel castings and a summer school for engineering college teachers. Twentytwo students were admitted into postgraduate programme and 44 into long-term advance diploma course.

School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.-The School is a premier institution established in 1959 with the object of providing facilities for training in rural, urban and regional planning and landscape architecture as also in other allied subjects. It conducts a five-year degree course in architecture and two-year postgraduate diploma courses in urban design, landscape architecture, pre-landscape architecture, and town and country planning. During the year the School admitted 57 students each in the undergraduate course in architecture and in various postgraduate diploma courses. The working of the school is presently being reviewed by a committee appointed by the Government.

Technical Teachers' Training Institute.-The Institutes at Madras, Calcutta, Bhopal and Chandigarh were set up in 1966-67 to (i) provide professional training for teaching engineering and technological subjects ; (ii) provide for instruction and research in branches of engineering and technology and for the advancement of learning and dissemination of knowledge in such branches ; and (iii) arrange for practical training in industries on a cooperative education plan. They run a 12-month course for degree-holders and a 18-month course for diploma-holders, besides organising short-term in-service training courses and curriculum development programmes under Quality Improvement Programme. During the year 1194 teachers were admitted into various regular courses. The Institutes produced suitable material for curriculum

development in various fields, besides conducting about 200 short-term courses/workshops with the participation of about 2,000 teachers.

The Madras Institute set up an "tension centre in Kerala for curriculum development. It also conducted a degree course, viz., "bachelor of technical education" of Madras University to which 19 polytechnic teachers were admitted.

The Bhopal Institute initiated 'Planned Change Experiment' in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. It also organised a country course in 'technician institution building processes and resource utilisation' in collaboration with the Colombo Plan Staff College for Technicians, Singapore, and a conference of senior administrators in the management of the polytechnics in the country.

A review committee appointed by the Government to evaluate the working of the Institutes submitted its report. The Committee inter alia observed that the Institutes had made a mark for themselves in the field of technician teacher education in the country.

Indian Institutes of Management.-The three Institute at Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta set up respectively in 1961, 1962 and 1972 continued to provide facilities for training in management and improving management practices. Main developments in respect of the Institutes are given in the following paragraphs.

Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.-The Institute continued to run its postgraduate Programme where admission varies from 100 to 124, besides the fellowships programme at doctoral level, an executive development programme (E.D.P's) for public sector and private sector industrial organisations, and an extension programme in functional areas at various centres. It decided to create a centre for management and development studies (CMDS) to monitor and control all research efforts. During the year it drifted to its new campus at Joka (Calcutta).

Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.-In its two-year postgraduate programme an increasing number of students of weaker sections specially from scheduled caste/tribe category and also from rural areas were admitted. The Institute arranged a remedial programme to improve their knowledge in mathematics and English.

The fellowship programme in management, an important contribution to the development of teachers and researchers in management, was strengthened during the year. The Institute initiated a six-month management education programme for the benefit of middle-level practising managers who are not able to spend two years at the Institute and it was well received ; half of the participants were from public sector corporations and nationalised banks and other financial institutions.

Entrusted by the Cabinet Secretariat, the Institute also or- ganises training programmes for the personnel engaged in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, etc. of Plan projects in the Centre and States.

Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.--The Institute continued its progress in its various programmes. Forty-eight students (including three scheduled caste students) completed the postgraduate programme during the year. They have secured permanent placements in various organisations with a salary between Rs. 1100 and Rs. 1950. Out of 103 students offered admission in 1976, 66 (including 14 SC/ST and 7 women) joined the course. Special tutorial sessions were held to improve the academic standard of scheduled caste/tribe students.

Under the fellowship programme, 8 students were enrolled in the first batch in various specialisations. In addition, 12 students from Tamilnadu Government are being trained as teachers.

The Institute conducted 8 management development programmes in which about 140 persons participated. It also conducted 12 organisation-based programmes in which over 280 participated. Another important programme was the programme

on management of sugar industries in Karnataka. This was arranged at the instance of Karnataka Government. At the instance of the Cabinet Secretariat it organises training of personnel engaged in planning and evaluation.

Grants to Non-Government Scientific and Technical Institutions for Development and Improvement.-Under this scheme, grants-in-aid are sanctioned to non-government engineering and technical institutions for their establishment and development of first degree/ diploma level education and for various other schemes of technical education such as technical institutions for girls, junior technical schools, etc. Over 100 institutions have been established/developed since the commencement of the scheme during the First Plan period in accordance with the pattern of Central assistance laid down for the purpose. Grants paid to the institutions since the inception of the scheme total over Rs. 10 crore.

Loans for Construction of Students' Hostels in Technical Insti- tutions.-For provision of hostel facilities for students in technical institutions loans are sanctioned both for government and non- government technical institutions to the extent of the cost on 50 per cent of the student population. Loans amounting to Rs. 19.38 crore have so far been sanctioned under the scheme. The nongovernment institutions represented that the income from hostel fees was too inadequate to repay the loan instalments and the loanees had no other resources to pay off the loan instalments To case the difficulties experienced by them, it was decided in 1973 that 50 per cent of the loans already given should be written off and the balance 50 per cent recovered in the remaining number of instalments. 90 non-government institutions have agreed to avail themselves of this offer. It was also decided that the balance of the approved loans would be given to these institutions in the form of 50 per cent grant and 50 per cent loan recoverable in 25 annual instalments.

Till 1975-76, 62,825 hostel seats had been provided through these loans. By the end of the 1976-77, 500 additional hostel seats were to be made available. The provision of Rs. 29 lakh

for 1976-77 included Rs. 10 lakh as loan for government institutions and Rs. 5 lakh as loan and Rs. 14 lakh as grant for nongovernment institutions.

National Council for Science Education, New Delhi.-On the recommendation of the conference of the working scientists, science educators and other experts in June, 1966, convened by the UGC to provide for a national forum for the improvement and development of education in science and technology in India, the National Council for Science Education was set up as an advisory council in the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare as a joint venture of UGC, NCERT and APTI (Association of Principals of Technical Institutions in India).

The NCSE's programmes during'1976-77 included contribution of Rs. 1.50 lakh to the Organising Committee of the NCST (Department of Science and Technology) for an international symposium on political implications of science and technology in developing countries.

Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok.-The Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, set up in 1967, is an autonomous international postgraduate engineering institute devoted to the cause of advancement of education and research in engineering, science and related fields in Asia. It is governed by an international Board of Trustees whose members come from different Asian countries including India. The members from Australia, Canada, UK and USA serve on the Board in their personal capacities and not as official representatives. On a proposal received from the Institute for India's association with it, it was decided to extend assistance from India in the form of equipment and Indian experts against a total assistance of Rs. 8.50 lakh in the first instance. To fulfil the commitment during 1976-77 a provision of Rs. 1.25 lakh was made.

Foreign Experts and Delegations.-Under the UN Programme of Technical Assistance, the services of foreign experts were obtained for some non-government technical institutions. Initially

the expenditure on local costs was met by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) and later reimbursed by the Ministry through book adjustment out of the budget provision made for the purpose.

Under Cultural Exchange Programme with various countries, foreign experts come to India and Indian experts go to other countries. They include incoming and outgoing delegations in the field of engineering and technology also, for which separate provisions are made year to year.

International Conference on the Education and Training of Engineers and Technicians.-An international conference on the Education and Training of Engineers and Technicians was organised by Unesco at New Delhi on April 20-26, 1976, in pursuance of resolution 2: 152 adopted by the General Conference of Unesco at its 18th session. Most facilities and services required in connection with the conference were provided by the Government of India. The Conference was attended by 131 participants from 45 member-States and 30 observers. Inaugurated by the Education Minister of India, the Indian delegation was 30 strong.

The conference endorsed the specific recommendations of the seven commissions appointed to deal with various agenda items and adopted twelve general recommendations, addressed to the Director General of Unesco, covering the entire spectrum or education and training of,engineers; and higher technicians. The recommendations relate to : (a) Estimation of engineering manpower-both quantitative and qualitative for socio-economic development ; (b) Curricula design and evaluation ; (c) Social and environmental considerations in education and training ; (d) continuing education and relationships with initial education and with employment ; (e) education-industry inter-action in both industrialised and developing countries ;(f) Institution- building, student selection, guidance and motivation ; and (g) Cooperation at international, regional and country levels.

Equivalence of Degrees, Etc.-Two protocols concerning equivalence of certificates, degrees and diplomas awarded by the secondary schools, universities and other educational institutions have been signed with the Hungarian Peoples' Republic and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 23rd October, 1976, and 12th November, 1976 respectively. A Board of Assessment under the chairmanship of the Chairman of UPSC consider all matters regarding the recognition of the degrees/diplomas, etc. awarded by institutions in India and other countries particularly in the professional and technical fields and also approve equivalence.