 TECHNICAL EDUCATION

8.1.1 Technical education is one of the most significant component 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.

8.1.2 During the past four decades, there has been a phenomenal expansion of technical education facilities in the country. But, a lot still needs to be done in the field of technical education in respect of increasing its coverage and enhancing its accessibility to the needs of organised as well as unorganized and rural sectors and in improving its relevance to 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 considerations, several initiatives were taken to further revamp the technical education system. These include: modernization and removal of obsolescence, promoting institution-industry interaction, providing continuing education for upgrading 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.

8.1.3 The year under report witnessed some significant developments in the field of technical education. A considerable progress was made in implementing the various programmes and schemes. 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. Vested with statutory authority, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) continued to fulfill the tasks assigned to it.

8.1.4 The various programmes/ schemes under technical education and their achievements during the year are presented below:

Indian Institutes of Technology

8.2.1 The five Indian Institutes of Technology(IITs) at Kharagpur, Bombay, Madras, Kanpur and Delhi were set up in the country as Institutes of National Importance and premier centres of education and training in engineering and applied science at the undergraduate level and to provide adequate facilities for post-graduate studies and research.

8.2.2 The IITs conduct four-year undergraduate programme (Bachelors-Degree) in various fields of engineering and technology. They also offer integrated Master's Degree courses of five years duration in physics, chemistry, mathematics', Biochemical Engineering. & Biotech. One year and a half M. Tech. degree courses in various specialisations and one year post graduates 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 advance area of training and research in each institute in identified areas of specialization.

8.2.3 Over the years the IITs have succeeded in developing patents and their exploitation by the industry. The IITs have earned a sizable revenue through sponsored research Projects and consultancy undertaken by their faculty members.

8.2.4 These institutes are the leaders for education, training and research for the development of technical manpower at a level comparable to the very 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, which is committed to the pursuit of excellence.

8.2.5 During the year under report, the Institutes continued to modernise their laboratories with funds provided by the Government of India for the purpose.

8.2.6 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 qualify 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 of 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 without 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.

8.2.7 As per the Assam Accord, another IIT has been set-up in Assam, the Sixth in the chain of IITs. For declaring the IIT, Guwahati the Sixth in the fraternity of IlTs as an Institute of National Importance, the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 was amended and came into effect on 1st September, 1994.

8.2.8 Land measuring 708 acres has been acquired for the Institute.Four short-term courses have been conducted by the Institute so far. A full time Director, Prof. D.N. Buragohain has assumed charge to operationalise the Institute.

8.2.9 Formal academic programmes are scheduled to commence from the academic year 1995-96. For the purpose, IIT, Guwahati is also included in JEE, 1995.

Indian Institutes of Management

8.3.1 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.

8.3.2 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 Programmes, Organisation Based Programme and Research & Consultancy for Industries as in the past.

8.3.3 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 Post-

Graduate programme, Executive development programme and undertakes Research & Consultancy for the Industries.

8.3.4 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 of application of software in the area of Industry-oriented management Techniques.

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

8.3.5 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 field. The Institute was established in the year 1909. The continuous research efforts put in by scientists of the Institute have earned it a recognition of international status. The institute has earned record to encourage creativity, nurturing excellences in innovative research and development. The advance academic research and pursuits of subjects currently in hand are part to 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 Aerospace, Bio- mass, Bio medical, chemical, Metallurgical and others, the Institute is also establishing a Super computer. The Supercomputer project is being commissioned with international and national hook-up.

8.3.6 The Institute is adding facilities for National Science Seminar Complex as well as facilities for supporting staff. The Institute acquired the status of deemed-university in the year 1958.

Revised Funding Pattern of Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management and Indian Institutes of Science

8.3.7 A Revised Pattern of Funding has been implemented beginning with 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 receipts and net earnings from consultancy and continuing education programmes, to the extent these are transferred to the Endowment Fund.

Technology Development Missions

8.4.1 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 these observations of the

Prime Minister, Directors of IITs and other experts deliberated in different meetings arranged by Planning Commission and identified the following 8 generic areas of strategic significance:-

1. Food Processing Engineering

2. Integrated Design and Competitive Manufacturing

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.

The above generic areas except at Sl.No.5 have been approved for support.

8.4.2 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 two to three participating Institutes, apart from the participation of industries.

8.4.3 An amount of Rs.60 crore for eight missions has been provided towards Plan Outlay during the eighth Plan period, out of which Rs.2.00 Crore has been released to five IITs and IISc., Bangalore during 1993-1994. The budget provision for the year 1994- 1995 is Rs.33 crores.

8.4.4 A steering committee has been constituted by Planning Commission. The progress of each of the missions will be monitored by the sub-groups of the Steering Committee for making technical assessment of the progress.

8.4.5 A small cell will be constituted in the Department of Science and Technology to compile necessary information and to do the documentation for giving technical support to the Steering Committee.

All India Council for Technical Education

8.5.1 The AICTE set up in 1945 as an advisory body 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 statutory AICTE include 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.

8.5.2 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.,

8.5.3 The Council has come to an understanding with the Council of Architecture (functioning under the Architects Act) and the Pharmacy Council of India(under the Pharmacy Act) in the procedure for assessment of courses and institutions in their respective fields.

8.5.4 The Council has laid down norms and standards for diploma, degree and post-graduate courses in various fields. In pursuance of the Supreme Court judgments,

the Council has issued regulations fixing norms and guidelines for charging tuition and other fees and providing guidelines for admissions of students to professional colleges.

8.5.5 With effect from 1.4. 1994, the following institutions/schemes being administered by this Ministry have been transferred to the Council:

1. National Technical Manpower Information System (NTMIS)

2. Technical Teachers' Training Institute (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 centres.

8. Research and Development (R&D) in selected higher education technical institutions

9. Modernisation and Removal of Obsolescence.

10. Thrust Areas of Technical Education.

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. Entrepreneurship and Management Development.

Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok

8.5.6 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 inter-national Board of Trustees, whose members come from different countries including India.

8.5.7 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

8.6.0 Most of the Cultural Exchange Programme 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 Offices

8.7.1 There are four subordinate offices of the Ministry established on regional basis, one each at Bombay, Calcutta, Kanpur and Madras.

8.7.2 The four Regional Offices act as the field agencies to promote implementation and coordinated operation of various schemes including those of the AICTE in the region. These Regional Offices also act as Secretariat of the Regional commit-tee of the All India Council for Technical Education(AICTE) and assist the Council in carrying out survey of facilities in the field of technical education in formulating schemes for development.

Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs)

8.8.1 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 growing requirement for trained technical manpower for various development 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.

8.8.2 The Colleges have prepared detailed programmes for their development upto the end of 8th Five Year Plan. The documents contain the overall goals, objectives in the respective colleges.

8.8.3 A special plan grant of Rs. 1 crore is being provided to each REC annually upto the end of the 8th 5 year Plan to make them as Centres of Excellence by intervention in the following areas:-

(i) General Management,

(ii) Good Standards of buildings, library and laboratory facilities

(iii) An adequate linked computer system for extensive use among researchers, students and in administration/finance

(iv) Facilitating teacher upgradation.

(v) Beginning programmes for the industry and Public.

8.8.4 An Indo-UK Technical cooperation project to strengthen technical education in India through assistance to 8 Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) in four technical themes : Design (RECs Allahabad and Jaipu), Energy (RECs Bhopal and Tiruchirapalli), Materials Engineering (RECs Nagpur and Rourkela) and Information Technology(RECs Surathkal and Warangal) is in progress.

TECHNICAL EDUCATION