TECHNICAL EDUCATION
7.1.1 Technical education is one of the most significant components of Human Resource Development spectrum with great potential for adding value to products and services, for contributing to the national economy, and for improving the quality of life of the people. In recognition of the importance of this sector, the successive Five Year Plans laid great emphasis on the development of technical education.
7.1.2 During the past four decades, there has been a phenomenal expansion of technical education facilities in the country. However enhancing its coverage and accessibility to the organised as well as unorganised and rural sectors and improving its relevance to productivity is being emphasised. The system is required to be geared to play its role with greater relevance and objectivity in the changing scenario by the turn of the century in socioeconomic, industrial and technological areas. To cope up with these challenges, several initiatives were taken to further revamp the technical education system. These include: modernisation and removal of obsolescence,, promoting institution-industry interaction, providing continuing education for updating the skill and knowledge of technical personnel working in industry and service sector, transfer of technology to the rural sector, setting up of Technology Development Missions to meet the emerging challenges in Science and Technology.
7.1.3 The year tinder report witnessed some significant developments in the field of technical education. A major project has been undertaken with the assistance of World Bank to upgrade the technician education system in the country for enabling the polytechnics to improve their capacity, quality and efficiency. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) continued to fulfil the objective of coordinating and maintain the standards of Technical Education. The proposal to establish two new Indian Institute,,, of Management at Indore (MP) and Calicut (Kerala) and Indian Institute for Information Technology and Management at Gwalior (MP) has been approved during 199596.
Indian Institutes of Technology 7.2.1 The five Indian Institutes of Technology(IITs) at Kharagpur, Bombay, Madras, Kanpur and Delhi were set Lip as Institutes of National Importance and premier centres of education and training in engineering and applied sciences at the undergraduate level and to provide adequate facilities for post-graduate Studies and research.
7.2.2 The IITs conduct four-year undergraduate programme (Bachelors-Degree) in various fields of engineering and technology. They also offer integrated Master's Degree course of five years duration in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biochemical Engineering & Biotech; In addition', IITs offer M.Tech., degree courses in various specialisations and one year post-graduate diploma courses in selected areas. The Institutes also offer Ph.D Programmes in different branches of Engineering Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences. There are also advanced areas of training and research in each institute, in identified areas of specialization.
7.2.3 Over the years, the IITs have Succeeded in developing patents and their exploitation by the industry. The IITs have earned a sizeable revenue through sponsored research projects, consultancies undertaken by their faculty Members.
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7.2.4 These institutes are the leaders in education,. training and research for the development of technical manpower at a level comparable to the best in the world. Selection of the brightest students through JEE for entrance to undergraduate courses and the very high quality of training speaks for itself on the importance of IITs system, committed to the pursuit of excellence.
7.2.5 During the year under report, the Institutes continued to modernise their laboratories with funds provided by the Government of India for the purpose.
7.2.6 A special preparatory course of 10 months duration continued to improve the intake of SC/ST students in the IITs. Those SC/ST students who fail to quality the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for admission in the ITT's but score a certain minimum percentage of marks are offered admission to the preparatory course. At the end (if the preparatory course, the students are subjected to a qualifying test on the basis of which they are offered admission to the B.Tech. Programme with out having to appear in the JEE again. This has improved the position of intake of SC/ST students in the IITs. The SC/ST students also continue to get financial support from the Institutes by way of pocket allowance, loans and discretion grant, apart from free messing.
7.2.7 As per the Assam Accord, another ITT has been set-up in Assam, the Sixth in the chain of IITs. For declaring the IIT, Guwahati the Sixth in the fraternity of IITs as an Institute of National Importance, the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 was. amended and came into effect on 1st September, 1994.
Indian Institutes of Management 7.3.1 The four Indian Institutes of Management (IIMS) located at Ahemedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta and Lucknow were set up by the Government of India with the objective of providing education, training, research and consultancy in the field of management. These Institutions are the premier centres in these areas.
7.3.2 The three Institutes in Ahemedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta continued their usual academic programmes, viz., Post-Graduate Programme in Management (equivalent to M.B.A.), Fellowship Programme (equivalent to Ph.D), Management Development Programme, Organisation Based Programme and Research & Consultancy for Industries as in the past.
7.3.3 The fourth Indian Institute of Management at Lucknow started functioning from 1985-86 session. This is still in its developing stage. The Institute is conducting PostGraduate programme, Executive Development Programme and is also undertaking Research & Consultancy for the Industries.
7.3.4 As a Follow-up of NPE, these Institutes have established Research Centres to meet the needs of other non-corporate and under managed sectors like Agriculture, Rural Development, Public Systems Management, Energy, Health Education, Habitat, etc. These Institutes have also set up computer-aided Management Centres with the objective of promoting the development and application of software in the areas of industry-oriented Management Techniques.
7.3.5 Recently, Govt. of India has approved establishment of two more Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), one at Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and other at Calicut (Kerala) and an
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Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management at Gwalior. Actions have been initiated to operationalise these Institutes.
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. 7.4.1 The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore is one amongst the premier Institutes in the country carrying out research work in Engineering Sciences and allied fields. The Institute was established in the year 1909. The continuous research efforts put in by the scientists of the Institute have earned it a recognition of international status. The institute has earned a record to encourage creativity, nurturing excellences in innovative research and development. The advance academic research and pursuits of subjects currently in hand are part of the global work. The technical know-how is shared through reputed journals. The faculty contributes to continuing education programmes, technology- transfer and assistance to industries. In addition to advanced departments like Aero-space, Bio-mass, Bio medical, chemical, Metallurgical and other Engineering Sciences, the Institute is also establishing a Super computer. The Super computer project has been commissioned with Inter-net hook-up.
7.4.2 The Institute is adding facilities for National Science Seminar Complex as well as facilities for supporting staff. The Institute acquired the status of a deemed- university in the year 1958.
Revised Funding Pattern of Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian
Institutes of Management and Indian Institutes of Science. 7.5.0 A Revised Pattern of Funding has been implemented from the financial year 1993-94. The Non-Plan grant of the Institutions is fixed at the level of grant in RE 1992-93 plus 10% thereof, and maintained at that level for the next four years (till the end of 1996-97). The Institutions will retain revenue receipts to augment the funds provided by the Govt. of India, as cushion against normal escalations over the four year period. The savings, out of the Non- Plan grants, and the revenue receipts will be retained and carried over by the Institutions. To encourage and accelerate the creation of an adequate level of Endowment Fund, the Government of India will provide 100% matching grant for savings out of the Non-Plan grant, revenue receipt and net earnings from consultancy and continuing education programmes, to the extent these are transferred to the Endowment Fund.
Technology Development Missions 7.6.1 The Prime Minister, during the first meeting of the Planning Commission held in September, 1991 observed that institutions of excellence like IITs and IISc., Bangalore need to concentrate on technology assessment and forecast so that futuristic approaches could be re-oriented to take up the development of emerging science and technology trends in the country. Sequel to this, the following 8 generic areas of strategic significance were identified:-
1. Food Processing Engineering
2. Integrated Design and Competitive Manufacturing
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3. Photonic devices and Technologies
4. Energy Efficient Technologies
5. Natural Hazards Mitigation
6. Communication Networking and Intelligent Automation
7. New Materials
8. Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.
7.6.2 One Indian Institute of Technology/Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore will be the lead institute for each of the 8 generic areas. There will be up to three participating Institutes, apart from the participation of industries.
7.6.3 A National Steering Committee has been constituted by Planning Commission. Two meetings of this Committee have already been held wherein the progress of the missions have been assessed. Necessary directions have also been given to boost the activities of these missions.
7.6.4 Mission Management Boards have been constituted by the Ministry to coordinate the day to day action of these missions. In Mission Management Board, the participation of various developing agencies has been ensured along with the concerned Institutes.
7.6.5 These missions have earned open hearted acceptance of Industry as is evident from the number of MOUs being signed by them for development of various technologies/products. The scheme is proving as a lead example to the other professional Institutes.
All India Council for Technical Education 7.7.1 The AICTE was set up as an apex advisory body in Technical Education. It was given a statutory status through an Act of Parliament in 1987. The Act came into effect on March 28, 1988. The main functions of the AICTE are proper planning and coordinated development of technical education in the country, qualitative improvement at all levels in relation to planned quantitative growth and regulation of the system and maintenance of norms and standards.
7.7.2 In order to streamline the system of approval of new courses and programmes the Council has issued regulations for establishment of new institutions/starting of new courses, etc.,
7.7.3 The Council has framed guidelines and procedures in consultation with the Council of Architecture and the Pharmacy Council of India for assessment of courses and institutions in their respective fields.
7.7.4 The Council has laid down norms and standards for diploma, degree and post-graduate courses in various fields. In pursuance of Supreme Court judgments, the Council
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has issued regulations fixing norms and guidelines for tuition fee and other charges and for admission of students to professional colleges.
7.7.5 To carry out its functions the AICTE has set up a number of statutory All India Boards for coordination and maintenance of standards in technical education in various sectors such as: Pharmaceutical Education, Architecture, Management, Vocational Education, Computer Science, Post Graduate Education & Research, Under Graduate Studies, and Town & Country Planning. In addition, the Council has further established Boards of Research (BOR) and Board of Industry Institute Interaction (BOII) for effective operation of quality programmes.
7.7.6 The Regional Committees at Kanpur, Madras, Bangalore, Bombay and Calcutta have been activated as a support system to AICTE. The new Regional Committees at Bhopal and Chandigarh have also been established. These Bureaux, Boards and Regional Committees assist the Council in planning, implementations, funding monitoring and review its diverse range of programmes in technical education as per its statutory responsibilities. In order to ensure planned growth and development of technical education the Council has a scheme to generate database to monitor supply and demand of engineering and technical manpower.
7.7.7 Four Regional Offices of Technical Education under the Ministry were transferred to AICTE in October, 1995.
7.7.8 The Council has so far approved 414 Engineering colleges with an intake of 1. 10 lakh and 1026 Polytechnics with an intake of 1.66 lakh. Besides, 149 degree level pharmacy institutions and 358 diploma level pharmacy institutions were set up with an intake of 6835 and 18715 respectively.
7.7.9 The following institutions/schemes being administered by this Ministry have, with effect from 1.4.1994, been transferred to the Council:
1. National Technical Manpower Information System (NTMIS)
2. Technical Teachers' Training Institutes (TTTIs)
3. National Institute for Training in Industrial Engineering (NITIE)
4. National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology (NIFFT)
5. School of Planning and Architecture (SPA)
6. Development of PG Courses
7. Development of Management Courses at Non-university levels
8. Research and Development (R&D) in selected higher education technical institutions
9. Modernisation and Removal of Obsolescence.
10. Thrust Areas of Technical Education.
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11. Institution Industry Interaction.
12. Continuing Education
13. Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology
14. Quality Improvement Programme.
15. Indian Society for Technical Education
16. Enterpreneurship and Management Development.
Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok 7.8.1 The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Bangkok is an autonomous international Graduate Institute providing advanced education in Engineering, Science and allied fields. It enrolls about 600 students from more than twenty countries and has international faculty members. The Institute is governed by an international Board of Trustees, whose members come from different countries alongwith India.
7.8.2 The Government of India have agreed to provide the following assistance to the Asian Institute of Technology:
i) Deputation of Teachers/Experts in specialised areas of Engineering/Technology, meeting the entire cost of their deputation;
ii) Annual Grant of upto Rs.3 lakhs for utilisation in one or more of the following purposes-
a) Purchase of equipment from India;
b) Purchase of books and payments for subscription on academic and technical journals published in India; and
c) Expenditure on academic related activities in India.
Cultural Exchange Programme 7.9.0 Most of the Cultural Exchange Programmes include provision for exchange of materials in the fields of science and technology as well as for exchange of visits of delegations for establishing academic linkages between institutions of Higher Education in the two countries and for finalising equivalence of degrees and diploma awarded in India and other countries for the purpose of employment.
Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) 7.10.1 Under the scheme of establishment of Regional Engineering Colleges, a Central Plan Scheme, seventeen colleges have been established, one each in the major states to meet the country's grow- ing requirement for trained technical manpower for various
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developmental projects. Each college is a joint and cooperative enterprise of the Central Government and the State Government concerned. While all the seventeen colleges offer 1st Degree Courses in various branches of Engineering and Technology, fourteen of these have facilities for Post Graduate and Doctoral programmes. The present admission capacity in all the Regional Engineering Colleges is of the order of 5354 for Under-Graduate and 1440 for Post-Graduate Courses.
7.10.2 The Colleges are administered by a Board of Governors(BOGs) with a fair degree of autonomy, both financial and administrative. The Chairman of the Board is the Minister for Technical Education of the respective State in which the College is located.
7.10.3 At the National level, there is an Advisory Council for RECs, with the Union Minister for Human Resource Development as its Chairman for giving advice on the broad policies for the REC system.
7.10.4 Academically, the Colleges are affiliated to the respective Universities in the region where the RECs are located. Within this framework some of the Universities have granted academic autonomy to RECs affiliated to them.
7.10.5 The Government of India meets the entire nor-recurring expenditure and 50% of the recurring expenditure on under-graduate courses of these Colleges. The balance of 50% recurring expenditure is borne by the respective State Governments. The entire expenditure on post-graduate course is met by the Government of India.
7.10.6 The admissions are made on the basis of entrance examinations conducted by the Technical Education Department of the States concerned for admission to all Engineering Colleges in the States. 50% of the seats in each Regional Engineering College is filled by the students qualifying from the State where a particular REC is located. The rest 50% seats are filled by the students coming from other States/UTs based on pre-decided distribution.