Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 17: Polytechnic courses need to be skill oriented and adopt revised curriculum which suits the current industrial standards, said participants at a conference for polytechnic education here Saturday.
The participants, who attended the ‘Polytechnic Education for Eastern States’ conference organised by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), pointed out that lack of skill oriented approach in technical education is the main reason for unemployment among engineers.
“Industries are looking for skilled engineers. Skilled students are sure to get placements. So rather than being a regulator, AICTE has widened its scope to the role of a facilitator for addressing the issues and will ensure updation of curriculum. Colleges must have sessions with industries to identify their needs,” said AlCTE chairman Anil D. Sahasrabudhe.
Sanjay Singh, commissioner-cum-secretary of skill development and technical education (SD & TE), Orissa claimed that lack of skilled manpower was holding back companies from investing in the state.
“We have infrastructure, minerals and other industrials requirements. However, many business houses have highlighted the lack of skilled manpower as the major problem for bringing in more industries. Institutes must focus on skill oriented education and identify the requirements of industries,” Das said.
Sahasrabudhe added, “Campuses should promote entrepreneurial culture and eastern states have a lot of potential for new startups. Teachers should always update their knowledge and colleges must have sessions for building entrepreneurial culture in.” He also stressed on the need for participation of industries in building curriculum and suggested that they should also encourage internship of students.
The future plans announced by the apex body also reflected the facilitator approach.
“AICTE has created an online platform ‘Swayam’ where lectures by experts are uploaded and the students can access it anytime. This will help rural students. AICTE has signed a memorandum of understanding with Linkedin and students can upload their bio-data for jobs,” Sahasrabudhe said. SD & TE minister Sanjay Kumar Das Burma assured participants that state government will encourage skill development.
“The government is committed in bringing more employment opportunities and is moving in the right direction. So the institution should focus on quality education,” Burma said.
