TECHNICAL EDUCATION
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 empha-
sis on the development of technical education.
During the past four decades, there has been a phenomenal expansion
of technical education facilities in the country. But, a lot more remains
to be accomplished in the field of technical education in respect of
increasing its coverage and enhancing its accessibility to various categories
of people, and in improving its productivity. Moreover, the changing
scenario by the turn of the century in socioeconomic, industrial and
technological areas needs to be considered to enable the system to play
its role with greater relevance and objectivity. Based on these considera-
tions, the National Policy on Education (NPE) as well as the Programme
of Action (POA) have rightly pointed to several new initiatives to further
revamp the technical education system. They include : modernisation and
removal of obsolescence, promoting institution-industry interaction, restruc-
turing of courses/programmes, entrepreneurship development, promoting
technical education of women, linking technical education with develop-
ment sectors and application of science and technology for rural develop-
ment.
The year under report witnessed some significant developments in
the field of technical education. The Bill to vest the All India Council
for 'Technical Education (AICTE) with statutory powers was passed by
Parliament. All on-going programmes were re-oriented to take care of
the thrusts/directives/goals indicated in the NPE. All Central and Cen-
trally Sponsored institutions were directed to prepare their POAs based
on the NPE. They have re-defined their institutional goals and targets,
and prepare perspective plans to cover the remaining period of the 7th
plan as also the 8th period. Twenty three schemes were prepared
for launching this year. Twelve of them have been approved for imple-
mentation with some minor modifications. Some of the related schemes
were grouped together for effective implementation. Many more schemes
are under preparation/revision. All technical education schemes based on
the NPE were discussed in detail with all the States and Union Territories'.
They were 'requested to prepare proposals/schemes to complement and
supplement the Central efforts.
The various schemes under technical education and their progress
during the year are briefly summarised below :-
Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) The five Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) at Kharag Pur,
Bombay, Madras, Kanpur and Delhi were established as premier centres
of education and training in engineering and applied sciences at the under-
graduate level and to provide adequate facilities for post-graduate studies
and research. These are 'Institutes of National Importance'.
The IITs conduct four-year undergraduate programmes leading to
Bachelor's Degree in Technology (B. Tech.) in various fields of engineering
and technology. They also offer integrated Master's Degree courses
five-year duration. in physics, chemistry and mathematics, one-and-a-half
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, sciences,
humanities and social sciences. There are also advanced centres of
53
training and research in each Institute in identified areas of specialisa-
tion.
The IITs have made great contributions in the matter of transfer of
technology. A large number of industries have benefitted from the research
work done by these Institutes either under sponsorship or on their own.
Over the years, they have also succeeded in developing patents and their
exploitation by the industry. Through the sponsored research projects
and consultancy work undertaken by the IITs and their faculty, sizeable
revenue accrues to the Institutes every year.
Another significant contribution made by the IITs in the development
of Science & Technology in the country is the assistance extended by
them in the development of curricula etc. for the benefit of other engineer-
ing/technological institutions.
These Institutes can take pride in the quality of their students, in as
much as they demonstrate by the time they graduate and pass out, high
level of competence values and maturity. Selection of the brightest
students and the very high quality of training are the strengths of the IITs
system, which is committed to the pursuit of excellence. During the year
tinder report, the Institutes continued the process of replacement of obsolete
equipment and modernisation of laboratories with funds provided for this
purpose.
The Institutes continued to help the Regional Engineering Colleges
in the development of their laboratories and faculty under the Institutional
Network Scheme.
A special preparatory course of 10 months duration was continued
to improve the intake of SC/ST students in the IITs. These SC/ST
students who fail to qualify in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for
admission to the IITs, but score a certain minimum percentage of marks
are offered admission to this preparatory course. At the end of the pre-
paratory course, these students are subjected to a qualifying test on the
basis of which they are offered admission to the B. Tech. programme
without having to appear in the JEE again. This has improved the
position of intake of SC/ST students in the IITs considerably. The SC/ST
students also continued to get financial support from the Institutes by way
of pocket allowance, loans and discretionary grants, apart from free
messing.
In each of the IITs one additional seat was made available for the
physically handicapped students who qualified in the JEE. They are
admitted to the Institute and the course of their choice, provided they are
otherwise considered fit to pursue that particular course.
The student strength and out-turn of the five Institutes during
1987-88 were :-
IIT admissions Student Out-turn
UG/PG+R Strength UG/PG + R
UG/PG+ R
Kharagpur 364/524 1650/1422 295/538
302/447 1215/1329 251/462
Bombay
Delhi 230/619 993/1718 250/476
Kanpur 266/245 1150/739 257/261
Madras 274/457 1062/1209 297/428
Each of the IITs has drawn up its own Programme of Action' (POA)
to implement the directives indicated in the NPE 1986. The Planning
Commission had detailed discussions with the Directors of IITs so as to
involve them in the formulation of the 8th Five Year Plan and its imple-
mentation. Suitable approach Papers for the purpose are under prepara-
tion. The emphasis for development during the remaining part of the 7th
54
Plan and the 8th Plan period will be on strengthening infrastructural
facilities including construction of additional hostels and staff quarters,
modernisation of laboratories, introduction of new courses in the emerging
thrust areas, removal of obsolescence of equipment, institution of new
programmes for quality improvement, staff and faculty development,
etc,
A high-powered Review Committee which evaluated the working and
performance of IITs submitted its report in February, 1987, The recom-
mendations made by the Review Committee are now under the active
consideration of the IIT Council and the Government. It is expected
that action on the recommendations made by the Review Committee will
start from early 1988 Implementation of the recommendations will be
monitored by the IIT Council.
During 1987-88, the budget provision for the five IITs were of the
order of As. 83.00 crores.
In the 'Assam Accord', the Government had agreed to establish an
IIT in Assam. The site for location of the IIT has been selected and
approved in consultation with the State Government. Proceedings for
acquisition of land have been initiated by the State Government. A
Project Team of experts has been constituted and a Project Director
appointed for formulation of the Detailed Project Report including pre-
paration of the Master Plan. The budget provision for this scheme during
1987-88 was Rs. 400.00 lakhs.
Indian Institutes of Management The four Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) at Calcutta,
(IIMS) Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Lucknow were established in 1961, 1962,
1972 and 1984 respectively to provide facilities for training personnel for
careers in management, for conducting research and for contributing to
the growth of knowledge in this important area. The Institutes offer
post-graduate and fellowship programmes in management as well as
executive development programmes for managers in industry. They also
conduct in service programmes for personnel from industry. During the
year, the Institutes conducted several organisation-based programmes and
also undertook a large number of consultancy projects.
The new Institute at Lucknow started its first academic session from
July, 1985. It is in the process of development. The Institute has taken
possession of its permanent site, where civil construction works have
started.
The IIMs have formulated their own 'Programme of Action' (POA)
on the basis of the NPE 1986.
The budget provision for the IIMs during 1987-88 was Rs. 1410.00
lakhs.
National Institutes for Training in The National Institute for Training in Industrial Engineering (NITIE)
Industrial Engineering (NITIE) was established in 1963 as an autonomous body with the help of UNDP
to provide facilities for training in industrial engineering and allied fields.
'The Institute offers post-graduate programme in industrial engineering,
post-graduate diploma in industrial engineering (by research) equivalent to
M. Tech. and fellowship programmes in industrial engineering equivalent
to Ph. D. It organises a large variety of short-term executive develop-
ment programmes and senior executive programmes in the areas of
industrial engineering and management techniques. The Institute is also
actively engaged in research and consultancy in areas such as operations
research, information systems, work systems design, computers and their
applications, industrial relations, job evaluation, hazard analysis and other
related management fields.
The budget provision for the Institute for the year 1987-88 was
Rs. 204.00 lakhs.
National Institutes of Foundry and The Institute was established during 1966 in collaboration with
Forge Technology (NIFFT), Ranchi UNDP-UNESCO as an apex institution for training and research in
55
foundry and forge technology. It is an autonomous institution fully
funded by the Government of India. The objectives of the Institute are
to :
(i) provide training through advanced diploma courses, refresher
course, M. Tech. course and unit-based programmes required
by industry,
(ii) guide and conduct applied research in foundry and forge
technology, and
(iii) provide consultancy, testing, documentation and information
services to foundry, forge and allied industries.
The Institute completed the 13th advanced diploma course in foundry
and forge technology in February, 1987. The 14th advanced diploma
course was started in September, 1986. During 1986-87, four refresher
courses were conducted. The 2nd batch of M. Tech. course commenced
in August 1986. The Institute interacted with several agencies and also
undertook a large number of research 'and consultancy projects.
The Institute set up a computer centre with a Horison-3, 32 bit, 2
RAM system alongwith various peripherals. Newer systems are expected
to be acquired in the near future. The Institute has prepared its perspec-
tive plan for the next decade with a view to realign its activities based on
the new National Policy on Education.
During 1987-88, the Institute had a budget provision of Rs. 170.00
lakhs.
School of Planning and Architecture, The School was established in 1955 as a pioneer institution to provide
New Delhi training facilities in areas relating to human settlements and environment.
It is an autonomous institution fully financed by the Government of India.
The School was given the status of a 'Deemed University' in 1979 to
enable it to broaden its horizons of academic programmes, to further
promote research and extension programmes, and to award its own under
graduate, post-graduate, and doctoral degrees.
The School is conducting Bachelor's degree course in architecture with
an annual sanctioned intake of 68 in two shifts. It is also conducting
Master's degree course in planning (with specialisations in urban and
regional planning, transport planning and housing), architecture (with
specialisations in urban design and architectural conservation), building
engineering and management, and landscape architecture. The total intake
of post-graduate courses is 110. The institution also conducts Ph. D.
programmes with an intake of 10. To promote and coordinate inter-
disciplinary research and extension programmes, the School has set up a
Centre for Conservation Studies and a Centre for Analysis and Systems
Studies in addition to the existing Centres for Rural Development and
Environmental Studies, which are already acting as resource' centres for
the teaching departments. An Apollo DN-560 Computer with advanced
facilities for Computer Aided Design was installed in the Centre, for
Analysis and Systems Studies. The School organised several seminars,
workshops and short-term courses and also undertook a large number of
research and consultancy projects during the year.
The School had a budget provision of Rs. 307.00 lakhs during
1987-88.
Technical Teachers' Training The four Technical Teachers' Training Institutes (TTTIs) at Bhopal,
Institutes (TTTIs) Calcutta, Chandigarh and Madras were established in the mid-sixties to
provide inservice training to polytechnic teachers and also to undertake
various activities for the overall improvement of polytechnic education.
They offer long-term training programmes of 12 months/18 months dura-
tion to degree and diploma holding teachers of polytechnics in addition to
providing short-term training to teachers introducing them to curriculum
development and related activities. The Institutes at Bhopal and Madras
have come upto the level of offering post-graduate courses in technical
56
teaching. Besides teacher training, these Institutes also undertake activi-
ties such as resource development, extension work, consultancy and
project formulation. They are deeply involved in educational film pro-
duction, national testing services, preparation of instructional packages,
etc. under a UNDP project. During the year under report, these Institutes
continued their activities in various fields falling within their purview and
contributed significantly to the further development of polytechnic
education.
During 1987-88, the four TTTIs had a budget provision of Rs. 815.00
lakhs.
International Centre for Science The International Centre for- Science and Technology Education
and Technology Education (ICSTE) (ICSTE) was set up in 1986 to operate through a network of existing
institutions in the country and to serve as a resource centre and a centre
for cooperative research. This International Centre will also coordinate
research programmes in the area of science and technology education for
which little coordinated effort has been made in the country even though
a number of institutions are engaged in this activity. The Centre will
also cater to the needs of developing countries, and is likely to seek assis-
tance for its programmes from international agencies such as UNESCO
and UNDP. The Centre is an autonomous institution fully financed by
the Government of India.
Management Education at Non- Under this programme, assistance is provided to some selected non-
University Centres university centres, which are functioning at all-India level and are offering
2-year full time MBA programmes and 3-year part-time post-graduate
diploma courses in management studies. The Government of India pro-
vides assistance for the consolidation and development of their existing
programmes on the recommendation of the All India Board of Manage-
ment Studies of the All India Council for Technical Education. Such
assistance is initially for a period of 5 years, which may be extended on
the recommendation of the All India Board of Management Studies.
A budget provision of Rs. 52.00 lakhs had been made for the scheme
for 1987-88.
Development of New Institutes During the year under report, three engineering colleges and nine
polytechnics have been started in the various States in the country with
the approval of Union Minister of Human Resource Development, who
is also the Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education
(AICTE). These institutions have been allowed to be established as per
the guidelines laid down by the Council.
Fourteen Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) were set-up, one
Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) each in the major States, during the Second and Third Plan periods to
enable the country to meet the increased need for trained personnel during
subsequent Plan periods. The fifteenth REC at Silchar (Assam) started
functioning in November, 1977, and the sixteenth one at Hamirpur in
Himachal Pradesh in July, 1986. Establishment of one more REC at
Jalandhar in Punjab has been approved and it is expected to start func-
tioning very soon.
While all the RECs (except the one at Hamirpur) offer first degree
courses in civil engineering, mechanical engineering and electrical engineer-
ing, some of them also offer first degree courses in chemical engineering,
metallurgical engineering, electronics, mining engineering, architecture and
computer science. The REC at Hamirpur is presently offering first degree
courses in civil engineering and electrical engineering. Fourteen RECs
also conduct post-graduate courses. Of these, nine are conducting indus-
try-oriented courses in specialised fields such as design and production of
high pressure boilers and accessories, heavy machines for steel plants,
transportation engineering industrial and marine structures, integrated
power systems, etc.
During the year under report, emphasis was laid on the consolidation
of existing facilities, establishment of computer centres at selected RECs,
modernisation of laboratories including replacement of obsolete equipment,
57
construction of students' hostels and development of students' activity
centres. These Colleges made good progress in the implementation of their
development plans. One hundred forty seven laboratories are being
developed in these Colleges under the scheme of institutional network with
IITs. Under the scheme of strengthening facilities in crucial areas where
weakness exists, B. Tech. degree course in Computer Science was intro-
duced this year in the RECs at Kurukshetra, and Silchar. Large size
computer systems were installed in the RECs at Allahabad and Durgapur
increasing thereby the number of RECs with such systems to four. All
RECs have been provided with atleast 'O' level Computers. Master's
degree course in Computer Applications (MCA) was started at the RECs
at Jamshedpur and Bhopal.
In the context of the implementation of the NPE 1986, Programme
of Action (POA) documents were prepared for all the RECs redefining
their institutional goals and targets, and projecting perspective plans to
cover the remaining period of the Seventh Plan and also the Eighth Plan
period.
The RECs had a budget provision of Rs. 2618.00 lakhs for
1987-88.
Development of Post-graduate The Government of India is directly assisting 15 State Government
Courses and Research Work and 24 non-Government post-graduate institutions under the central
scheme of development of post-graduate education & research in engineer-
ing and technology. The scheme has made considerable contribution in
promoting the cause of development of technical education in general and
Research and Development in particular.
During the year under report, the Screening Committee of the All
India Board of Post-graduate Studies and Research in Engineering and
Technology approved 15 new post-graduate courses. Particular care was
taken to develop courses in the fields of computer science and electronics.
The GATE examination was held in February, 1987 on the basis of
which admissions were made to post-graduate courses. The Post-graduate
Board set up an Expert Committee to examine issues relating to post-
graduate programmes, thrust areas and research in architecture.
A budget provision of Rs. 261.00 lakhs was made for this scheme
for the year 1987-88.
Quality Improvement Programme The Quality Improvement Programme (QIP) was initiated in the
year 1970-71 with a view to improving the quality and standards of
technical education. The following programmes are conducted under the
scheme :-
(i) Faculty development, which includes
- M. Tech. and Doctoral programmes,
- Short-term courses at QIP Centres,
- Summer and winter school programmes through the Indian
Society for Technical Education (ISTE).
(ii) Curriculum development, which includes laboratory develop-
ment, preparation of instructional materials and text-books.
(iii) Practical training in industry for teachers of engineering
colleges and polytechnics.
The M. Tech. and Doctoral programmes are implemented at the 5
Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), University of Roorkee, Indian
Institute of Science (Bangalore), Banaras Hindu University, a few Regional
Engineering Colleges, Anna, University, (Madras) and Jadavpur University.
The programme relating to short-term courses is implemented through the
above centres for engineering college teachers, and through the four
Technical Teachers' Training Institutes (TTTIs) and the Institute of Engi-
neering and Rural Technology, Allahabad for teachers of diploma level
institutions. While the programme of short-term training in-industry is
58
58 A
58 B
organised by the Regional Offices of the Ministry, the summer/winter school programme is organised through the ISTE.
Till 1986-87, 900- teachers were trained for M. Tech. and 1000 teachers for Ph. D. The QIP Centres organised about 730 short term courses for degree level teachers where about 12,000 teachers were trained. The ISTE organised about 1,300 short-term summer/winter school pro- grammes for teachers of engineering colleges and polytechnics together, wherein about 25,000 teachers were trained. The TTTIs have conducted about 1,400 short term programmes for polytechnic teachers thereby training 28,000 teachers. Under the short term programme in industry, 2,000 teachers at the degree level and 4,200 teachers at the diploma level were trained.
The Curriculum Development Cells at degree level have till now produced 200 text-books, 100 monographs, 40 manuals, 100 other pub- lications and conducted about 150 workshops and seminars. The ISTE has also produced about 85 teachers' manuals.
The scheme had a budget provision of Rs. 84.00 lakhs during 1987-88.
Computerisation and Manpower In order to create computer awareness as also to introduce various Development computer programmes in the existing courses in engineering & technology, the Government of India has been providing support to technical institu- tions for acquiring computer facility. It has been getting indigenous 'O' level computers evaluated through the National Centre for Software Technology (NCST), Bombay. On the basis of the evaluation report received from NCST, 23 systems have so far been approved. Efforts are being made to provide atleast 'O' level computers in all the approved polytechnics in the country during the 7th Plan.
In collaboration with the Department of Electronics, a few more polytechnics have been selected during the year under report for starting 1 1/2-year post-polytechnic diploma course in computer applications making the total number of such polytechnics 52. Three-year Master's Degree course in computer applications was approved at 14 more centres bringing the total number of such centres to 39. Under-graduate programme in computer science/engineering has been approved at additional centres bringing their total number to 37.
Institutional Network Scheme The scheme was initiated during 1981-82 to develop an internal assistance programme of networking between Indian Institutes of Techno- logy (IITs)/other well developed technological institutions and less deve- loped institutions such as Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) and State engineering colleges for development of laboratories, exchange of faculty, training of faculty members and collaborating in research pro- grammes. Through the active collaboration of IITs, 99 laboratories of RECs and other engineering colleges were developed daring the 6th Plan. Under this scheme an amount of Rs. 5.00 lakhs is approved per project, 50 % of which is sanctioned by this Ministry, the remaining 50 % being met by the institutions or the State Governments concerned.
While 99 laboratories were developed during the 6th Plan at, a cost of Rs. 247.50 lakhs, during the first two years of the 7th Plan 80 laboratories were developed through grants amounting to Rs. 200.00 lakhs. It is proposed to develop another 40 laboratories during 1987-88 at a cost of Rs. 100.00 lakhs.
Strengthening of Facilities in Crucial The scheme was instituted during the 6th Plan and modified in scope Areas of Technology and dimensions during the 7th Plan with the objective of strengthening Where Weakness Exists facilities in technological institutions offering courses at under-graduate level in certain identified areas of technology where critical gaps exist, through (i) augmentation of physical facilities such as laboratory equip- ment, space, faculty and supporting staff (ii) diversification of courses, and (iii) preparation of base for post-graduate programmes. The, identified areas of technology where weakness exists are : computer science/techno-
59
logy, electronics, instrumentation, material science/technology, maintenance engineering, product development/design, bio-conversion, ergonomics, printing technology, management, science and entrepreneurship.
Under this scheme, 121 projects were supported during the 6th Plan at a cost of Rs. 1,056.90 lakhs. An amount of Rs. 1,450.00 lakhs was released during the first two -years of the 7th Plan supporting 127 projects. It is proposed to support 80 projects during 1987-88 at a cost of Rs. 800.00 lakhs.
Creation, of Infrastructure in Areas of Emerging Technology The scheme was instituted on an experimental basis during the 6th Plan period with the objective of creating infrastructural facilities for education, research & training in 14 identified areas of emerging techno- logy in selected engineering/technological institutions. During the 7th Plan period, the scope and the dimensions of the scheme were enlarged. The objectives of the scheme are :-
- To develop infrastructure in terms of modern laboratories in identified areas of emerging technologies.
- To develop a strong base for advanced level work by identi- fying programmes and courses.
- To provide facilities and support for R&D activities in frontier areas of technology on a national basis so that technology gaps with reference to advanced countries are eventually bridged.
- Development of manpower.
- Facilities for training the faculty.
- Development of linkages with other institutions including R&D establishments and user agencies.
- Dissemination of information in the areas of expertise deve- loped by the supported institutions.
The areas identified for support under this scheme are : energy science, transportation engineering, micro-electronics, remote sensing, atmospheric science, reliability engineering, environmental engineering, water resource management, optical communication & fibre-optics, laser technology, in- formatics, telematics, education technology, computer-aided design/compu- ter-aided' manufacture, microprocessors, robotics and artificial intelli- gence.
During the 6th Plan period, 66 projects were supported through grants amounting to Rs. 1,432.25 lakhs. During the first two years of the 7th Plan, an amount of Rs. 1537.00 lakhs was released to support 89 projects. It is proposed to support 100 projects at a cost of Rs. 1400.00 lakhs during 1987-88.
Programmes of New and/or Improved This is a new scheme instituted during 1987-88 as part of the imple- Technologies and Offering New mentation of the new National Policy on Education. The scheme has been Comes-in Specialised Fields. formulated keeping in view the changing industrial scene and the pace of technology development the world over. Many new areas of technology have evolved in recent years in the conventional as well as emerging fields of technology which have relevance, to the national needs, where manpower with appropriate expertise has to be developed. Forty-six new/improved areas of technology have been identified where programmes/courses will be supported under the scheme. Two projects are proposed to be sup- ported during 1987-88 at a cost of Rs. 40.00 lakhs. A large number of projects under the scheme have been received from technological institu- tions all over the country. They will be processed for implementation during the remaining years of the 7th Plan period.
Modernisation nd Removal of The scheme was initiated during the Sixth Plan period with the Obsolescence in Laboratories and objective of providing modern instruments and machinery in selected Workshops engineering colleges to meet the requirements of technological advances
60
and curricula changes on the basis of 100 % direct Central assistance. A sum of Rs. 762.40 lakhs was released during the Sixth Plan to modernise 70 laboratories.
During the Seventh Plan period and more particularly after the new National Policy on Education was adopted, the scope and dimensions of the scheme were expanded. The objectives of the scheme were redefined as follows :-
- Removal of obsolescence in machinery and equipment of laboratories and workshops in engineering and technological institutions.
- Modernisation by addition of new equipment relevant to the curricular needs as a sequel to the fast developments in tech- nologies.
- To provide students with hand-on experience in laboratory practice in modern technologies. Creation of new laboratories.
- Provision of computers.
- Training and retraining of faculty and supporting staff.
The salient features of the scheme were circulated to all technical institutions in the country to enable them to submit proposals for moderni- sation and removal of obsolescence.
The number of projects supported during the first two years of the 7th Plan and the amounts of grant released each year are given below :-
(Rs. in lakhs) 1985-86 131 1500
1986-87 151 1800