TECHNICAL EDUCATION
The Technical Education System of the country is designed to meet the
technological needs of economy both on short-term and long-term basis.
The development of technical education is, therefore, regarded as area of
high priority in economic planning. In order to meet the urgent require-
ments of the nation, each of the Five Year Plans of Technical Education
is characterised by major stress on certain specific aspects. In the Sixth
Plan period major emphasis has been on (a) optimum utilisation of exist-
ing facilities, (b) consolidation, (c) expansion of facilities in areas where
weakness exists, (d) creation of infrastructure in areas of emerging techno-
logies vital for the development of the country', (e) improvement of quality
and standards of education and (f) furtherance of national,efforts, to develop
and apply science and technology as an instrument of country's socio-econo-
mic progress. The Seventh Five Year Plan of Technical Education is in
the process of being formulated. The, emphasis on consolidation, modernisa-
tion, improvement of quality and standards, strengthening of facilities in
areas of weakness and creation of infrastructure in areas of emerging techno-
logies may, no doubt, continue but the exact objective of the plan will be
available after the exercise on the subject has been done.
Besides the schemes instituted in the earlier years of the Sixth Plan
and continuing from the earlier -plans, the following new plan schemes
have been instituted in the year under report.
National Manpower Information In pursuance of the recommendation made by the All India Council for
System Technical Education at its meeting held in 1978, the Scheme of National
Manpower Information System has finally been approved by the Govern-
ment of India. The main objective of the National Manpower Information
System is to provide upto-date and meaningful manpower information on
a continuing basis to enable the concerned authorities to anticipate areas
of growth in the field of science and technology and consequently plan for
technical manpower development on the proper lines. The system will
help in so many ways including collection, storage, updating, retrieval anti
analysis of manpower information to formulate necessary development plans
on scientific lines to meet the national requirements. The Scheme provides,
for establishment of a Lead Centre at the Institute of Applied Manpower
Research, New Delhi, and 17 nodal centres at the selected institutions of
Engineering and Technology.
Consequent upon approval of the Government of India for establish-
ment of the Manpower Information System, ad-hoc grants have been
released to the Lead Centre and 14 nodal centres so as to enable them
to appoint staff for the proposed system. Urgent action is being taken by
the Lead Centre, Nodal Centres and the Ministry of Education to put the
entire system into Operation at the earliest.
Quality Improvement Programme The programme of quality improvement was initiated in the year 1970-
71, with a view to improving the quality and standards of technical educa-
tion system in India. The scheme continued to play its important role in
the faculty development and curriculum development in the technical insti-
tutions. Quality improvement programme consists of the following
schemes :-
(i) Faculty Development
(a) Two-Year M. Tech. Programme;
Three-Year Doctoral Programme:
(b) Short-term Courses at Quality Improvement Programme
Centre "
(c) Summer Institute Programmes through Indian Society for
Technical Education; and
38
(ii) Curriculum Development which includes preparation of instruc-
tional material, textbooks and laboratory development.
M. Tech. and Doctoral programmes are implemented by the five insti-
tutes of Technology, University of Roorkee and Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore, Banaras Hindu University, a few Regional Engineering Colleges,
College of Engineering, Guindy, and Jadavpur University. The programme
relating to short-term courses is implemented through various selected centres
which include Indian Institutes of Technology, University of Roorkee,
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Technical Teachers' Training Insti-
tutes and Allahabad Polytechnic, Allahabad. The programme of short-
term training in industry is organised by the Regional Offices of the Minis-
try. The Summer and Winter Schools as well as short-term courses for
the teachers in Engineering Colleges and Polytechnics are also organised
through the Indian Society for Technical Education.
During the period 1970-71 to 1981-82 about 730 teachers were trained
for M. Tech. Course and 800 teachers for Ph.D. course. About 500 short-
term courses were organised by the Q.I.P. Centres at degree level in which
7,500 teachers participated. At diploma level about 1,000 courses were
organised and about 17,000 teachers participated. Under short-term pro-
gramme in industry, 1,525 teachers at degree level and 3,500 at diploma
level were benefitted. Besides, 800 summer/winter schools were organised
by I.S.T.E. where 16,500 teachers participated.
In 1983-84, the target was to train 95 fresh teachers in M. Tech. and
110 teachers for Ph.D., in addition to those continuing from the previous
years. Under Summer School Programmes, 1,500 teachers were expected
to be benefitted. Curriculum Development Programmes were conducted
by 14 groups at Quality Improvement Centres. About 1,400 Degree/
Diploma holder teachers were expected to be trained in industry under
the programme relating to short-term training in industry.
Direct Central Assistance The scheme which was started in the year 1976-77 continued in the
year 1983-84 to extend special direct Central Assistance to the selected
12 engineering colleges and 22 polytechnics for identified projects relevant
and important for improvement of quality and standards of technical educa-
tion. The Nation Expert Committee set up to select technical institutions
both at degree and diploma levels and the areas suitable for assistance under
the scheme selected 17 engineering colleges and 29 polytechnics for grant
of assistance under the scheme.
Community Polytechnics The scheme was instituted under Central Sector in the year 1978-79
under which 36 polytechnics were selected to be developed as community
polytechnics. In addition to offering diploma courses in different branches
of engineering and technology, these polytechnics are also requir-
ed to interact with environments and serve, as focal points to promote
transfer of technology to the rural sector. The scheme continued in the
year under report, and necessary central assistance was provided. In
accordance with the approved norms, in the year 1982-83 grants amount-
ing to 43.36 lakhs were released to the various community Polytechnics
for implementing the scheme.
Advanced Technician Course On the recommendation of the AR India Council for Technical Educa-
tion, a scheme of Advanced Technician Course has been started from 1981-
82. The main objective of this Scheme is to provide avenues of advance-
ment to Diploma-holders and also to provide higher courses at advanced
level to enable the Technicians to advance professionally in their own lines-
The scheme is being implemented, in the first instance, at the following
centres : -
(i) Y.M.C.A. Institute of Engineering, Faridabad.
(ii) C. M. Kothari Technological Institute, Madras.
(iii) Bhagubhai Mafatlal Polytechnic, Bombay.
(iv) Institute of Engineering and Rural Technology, Allahabad.
39
During the year under report, the scheme made good progress. Based
on the experience of these few selected institutions, it is proposed to select
a few more institutions to undertake this important task.
Institutional Network Scheme The Institutional Network Scheme, which was introduced in 1981-82,
continued with vigour during 1983-84. Collaboration between the Indian
Institutes of Technology and Regional Engineering Colleges continued in the
areas of Laboratory Development and Faculty Exchange Programme. In
addition to Regional Engineering Colleges, financial assistance was also ex-
tended to State Engineering Colleges/Private Autonomous Engineering
Colleges as are identified by the National Expert Committee. During the
year 1982-83, grant-in-aid to the extent of Rs. 80 lakhs was sanctioned for
upgradation of 32 laboratories against Rs. 62.50 lakhs sanctioned during
1981-82 for 25 laboratories.
During 1983-84, there is a budget provision of Rs. 80 lakhs which will
be utilised in full before the end of the financial year.
Expansion of Facilities in Area The scheme was instituted in 1981-82 to strengthen and expand facilities
where Weakness exists in the areas where weakness existed. The primary object of the scheme
was to improve areas of Computer Science, Electronics, Maintenance Engi-
neering, Instrumentation, Product Development and Bio-Sciences and
Management Sciences etc. During 1982-83, grant-in-aid to the extent of
Rs. 280 lakhs was extended to Regional Engineering Colleges/Technologi-
cal Universities and State/Private Engineering Colleges for as many as 29
projects. There is a budget provision of Rs. 220 lakhs in 1983-84 which
is likely to be expended in full before close of financial year.
At the time of writing the report, grants amounting to Rs. 187.50 lakhs.
have already been sanctioned to 26 institutions including Regional Engineer-
ing Colleges.
Creation of Infrastructure in The scheme. which was introduced in 1981-82, continued in the year
Areas of Emerging Technology 1983-84 also. Under this scheme, grant-in-aid on 100% basis is extended
to create and develop facilities for research and education and training in
the areas of new emerging technology so important for the development and
advancement of the country in this respect. These include Microprocessor
application, Remote Sensing, Laser Technology, Atmospheric Sciences,
Environmental Engineering, Energy Sciences, and Water Resources Manage-
ment. The strengthening and creation of facilities in these, areas would be
of immense help in accelerating the pace of development in the country.
During 1982-83, grants-in-aid worth Rs. 384.50 lakhs were given to 35
institutions including Indian Institutes of Technology, Regional Engineer-
ing Colleges and other technological institutions. During 1983-84, there
is a budget provision of Rs. 350 lakhs, but requirements for all the projects
approved till date is of the order of Rs. 380 lakhs. Rs. 261 lakhs have
already been sanctioned to 23 Engineering Colleges and Subject to avail-
ability of the additional funds, grants will be released to all the approved
projects within the financial year.
Modernisation of Engineering This new scheme was instituted in 1981-82 and continued during the
Laboratories and Workshops year under reference. The scheme envisages to meet the changing situations in
industry and curricular changes. The laboratories are being modernised
with more relevant and useful equipment. The scheme is expected to help
improve the situation in this respect. During the year 1982-83, grants-in-aid
of Rs. 120 lakhs were sanctioned for the modernisation of 24 laboratories
in various Regional Engineering Colleges and private autonomous engineer-
ing colleges. During 1983-84, funds to the extent of Rs. 150 lakhs. have
been provided out of which, Rs. 125 lakhs have already been released to 21
institutions. Proposals for another 23 laboratories have been finally processed
and grants will be released to all of them during this year, if additional funds
are available by way of re-appropriation or savings. In case of non-
availability of additionals funds, the balance of Rs. 150 lakhs available in
the budget will, of course, be utilised fully.
Other New Scheme under A considerable amount of spade work has been done on a few other
formulation important schemes which have also been approved by the Planning Commis-
40
sion and included in the, Sixth Five Year Plan. The details of these schemes
are being worked out in consultation with the concerned Ministries/Depart-
ments of the Government of India. These schemes are summarised below:-
(i) New Quality Improvement Programmes :
(a) Degree Courses in Engineering for Diploma holding poly-
technic teachers;
(b) Post-graduate industry-oriented courses for the poly-
technics teachers;
(c) Learning Resources Centres.
(ii) Technical Institutions Society inter-action.
Programme of Apprenticeship The programme of apprenticeship training for engineering graduates
Training and diploma holders continued to be implemented through the four Boards
of Apprenticeship Training located at Kanpur, Bombay, Calcutta and
Madras. As on November 30, 1983, 10862 trainees, 3335 engineering
graduates and 7527 diploma holders were in position. A number of super-
visory development programmes for improving the quality of apprenticeship
training imparted under apprenticeship and career guidance programmes for
the final year students of a few Engineering Colleges and Polytechnics have
been organised by these Boards. After a number of meetings with the State
Governments, the Special Vocational Education Training Scheme for provid-
ing six months practical training to the candidates passing out from 10+2
vocational stream has been launched.
Educational Consultants India The first public sector undertaking of this Ministry, the Educational
Limited Consultants India Limited, New Delhi was incorported under the
Companies Act, 1956 on 17-6-1981, with the main objective to offer
educational consultancy service to a number of agencies and foreign govern-
ments and Educational Institutions in the field of general, medical, agricul-
tural and technical education and training. The Corporation undertakes
surveys of educational requirements, prepares feasibility/evaluation reports
on educational projects and programmes, plans and establishes educational
institutions on turn-key basis, prepares detailed project reports for the
establishment of educational institutions of high excellence and advises on
specifications of inputs; undertakes development of curricula, teaching aids,
evaluation systems, educational technologies and learning resource centres;
develops organisational structures for educational administration and manage-
ment; undertakes studies and research on specific educational problems and
manpower planning, fosters and maintains close liaison and cooperation with
various national and international agencies.
The Corporation is managed by a part-time Chairman, eight Directors
of the Board and a full-time Managing Director with other staff.
Indian Institutes of Technology The five Indian Institutes of Technology at Kharagpur, Bombay, Madras,
Kanpur and Delhi were established as premier centres of education and
training in engineering and applied sciences and to provide adequate
facilities for post-graduate studies and research. As these Institutes grew
in stature, they have diversified their sphere of activity to, provide for quality
improvement programmes, curriculum planning, faculty development, inter-
disciplinary research, inter-institutional collaboration and consultancy
services.
The Institutes conduct under-graduate programmes leading to Bachelor's
degree in Technology in various fields of engineering and technology. They
also offer integrated Master's Degree Courses of five years' duration in
Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, two-year M.Tech. degree courses in
various specialisations and one-year post-graduate Diploma courses in
selected areas. In addition, the Institutes offer Ph.D. programmes in different
branches of Engineering, Science, Humanities, and Social Science. There
are also advanced Centres of training and research in each Institute in
identified areas of specialisation.