Since last one year or so I have had a lot of discussions with my friends regarding the state of technical education in India. And I decided that it was high time that I documented it all. So, here I have tried to summarize the discussions I had. The below mentioned points are related to tier 2 and tier 3 institutes and are more specific to Gujarat, but I think that they are applicable at the national level as well.
State of Technical Education
Current scenario:
- A large number of engineering colleges have sprung up in last 10 years.
- We have sufficient colleges now.
- But the quality is lacking significantly.
- The next focus should be on improving quality rather than increasing seats.
- Highly non-motivated faculties.
- Very few sufficiently qualified faculty.
- No recognition in society for faculty.
- Industry more lucrative than academia.
- Not good work in institutes for faculties (unnecessary burden of a lot of administrative duties).
- Many administrations more interested in making money rather than improving quality of education.
- Lack of knowledge about opportunities beyond Bachelors or during Bachelors among students and faculty.
- Non motivated students.
- Getting a job only goal for majority of students.
- By taking help of faculty from good local (eg. IIT Gandhinagar, DAIICT, PDPU, BISAG, ISRO SAC etc.) and other national and international institutes. Through regular interaction sessions.
- Recognition for their work, in society, and it has to be initiated by government, through some awards.
- Informing them about the long term contribution to the society, that they are doing.
- Training sessions to improve their skill sets.
- To put some sort of assessment mechanism (other than publications), on which promotion is based. This mechanism should measure their teaching through student feedback and technical skills, through some exam like GATE.
- Last but by no means the least, 'Money' is the biggest motivation to attract good faculty, so pay well.
- Give them the knowledge of what lies beyond a job.
- Show them the beauty of technology and they are sure to be fascinated by it and delve deep into it.
- Give them the freedom to find out their passion,and show them how interesting things are.
- For all above points best way is to have highly motivated faculty.
- Also organizing regular lectures and seminars by eminent people, and alumni.
- Building a strong alumni network to help and guide current students.
I have tried to put as many points as I can remember. I request you all to contribute to this and give your suggestions and feedback.
21 comments:
One way to make students aware of more possibilities in academia might be to get them involved in academia by establishing some programs where they can shadow an instructor or professor and know more about the field.
From my experience, I have noticed that we as students, seldom get time or pretend not to have time to get involved in more of these activities to help out other new students to know about our field. This can be easily organized through your students association.
In India, we need to make the teachers more approachable rather than someone you fear....which is the case since KG! Students should not fear the teachers.
Another thing is that they should hire or give admission to people who are interested in the field rather than the people who just want to get a job and feed a family which is important too..but can you live doing a job for which you have no passion?
@ Madhavi:
You have put forth very important points.
For the first point, if you look at it in the India perspective, then the faculty to student ratio is very poor. This makes implementation a bit difficult.
Student association is an excellent point. Students from other good institutes and seniors from the same institute as well can help others. This can be done through, regular seminars and interaction sessions. I think this thing in itself can have a huge impact.
Your last point is a very valid point, but the problem is that it is difficult to identify the people who are interested. If you look at the sheer scale of operations in India, then this thing seems next to impossible. And let me tell you, people do live doing a job for which they have no passion. And it is a big chunk. In fact, passion is not recognized as a reason to do something in current Indian society. But things are changing.
Another thing you can do is that, you can create a forum for the students at IIT where they can discuss their issues and almost everything. This forum should be funded by one of the student associations or one of the departments and faculty can join in too. We have similar kind of forum at U of T, I used to moderate that and it is quite helpful when you can get other senior undergrads to be volunteer moderators for the forum.
check this out: http://biome.utoronto.ca/
Nice Post Arpit.
I think they should also encourage more research activity in the premier institutes at-least.
I am not sure about the statistics, but this is what I heard someone say..
"Indian top universities (IISc, IIT's etc) all put together produce 25 computer science PhDs in an year. Compare that with one US university, they produce more than 50!!"
I guess the state is pathetic! Quality education can be delivered only by people who themselves have had quality education!
@ Raghavendra:
Ya research is definitely important. It is one of the aspects that will make faculty more knowledgeable and motivate about their subjects.
Can't complain about PhD's as of now since we are hardly able to find enough Profs.
One thing I should mention is that here I was talking about the tier 2 and tier 3 institutes. If we can bridge the gap between these and top institutes, it will help us in improving the top institutes as well.
Hi Arpit,
You have taken a very good initiative to enhance the experience of getting education.
I wish that people should realize that "No two human beings are equally capable as far the external realities are concerned"
If we carefully look at the role of education in a human life, its role is just to take care of our survival. Once it is taken care of we feel pleasant within ourselves.
If imparting education brings joy to teacher himself, obviously all the students will want to learn from him.
Now the question is how to turn each and every teacher into a pleasant and joyful teacher. So pleasant that no matter what kind of student he/she has to teach, a teacher will not loose his sweetness.
When I say this I am not talking of some act that a teacher needs to perform.
If you carefully look at your self whenever you feel happy and joyful, the way you respond to any kind of situation is greatly enhanced. Similarly if you are feeling depressed your decisions can be very mean.
I want you to understand that being pleasant and joyful 24 hours a day on daily basis is not out of reach because whenever you felt happy or joyful or misery or agony or whatever, it has happened from within you.
If you have a certain tool lets say its like an automatic spanner which does not allow you to go off the track. You will naturally tend to do whatever best you can, where is the question of competition and result.
There is a complete science and technology to create a right kind of chemistry within ourselves so that a human being remains bliss full no matter what is happening around him/her. We at Isha foundation call it as Inner Engineering.
http://www.ishafoundation.org/InnerEngineering
Arpit you have taken a very good initiative and I wish it reaches to all the masses of people.
Lastly I would say that "There is no Universal Transformation without Individual Transformation".
If you and me are transformed a small part of the planet is transformed.
Love,
Priyank
Nice thoughtful write up... right questions are raised by you and i am agree with answer too!
my point is.. the so called excellent institutes ( IITS ETC.. )has to come out of their shell and have to spread their excellence to other educational institutes.. the gap between IITS and general colleges are just too wide...
@ Rachana Masi:
Maasi it is not fair to blame the IITs that they are in a shell. As a matter of fact even IITs are facing severe resource constraints to serve its own student community (like lack of qualified faculty, hostels, etc.). On top of that because of the OBC quota being enforced, it adds to the pressure on already limited resources. All IITs are already mentoring at least one new IIT as well.
I feel that in order to reduce the gap between IITs and general colleges, the general colleges will have to raise their standard themselves.
There is one way to motivate faculty - Get students who pester them with new ideas and thoughts, who keep questioning them so they also need to prepare for classes. Too much of bribery for rich people, spoiled brats who have no interests in studies, just degree matters.
To motivate students - Most of col going students just dream to get high salaries so easiest way would be to attract good companies for campus and make students understand where studying can take them. Once a person starts studying if he is interested he will automatically direct towards research.College students are fresh out of schools they are naive kids and they will never listen if some elder keeps bugging them to study they will understand when they see and hear with their own senses
@ Shreya:
Well, I don't know to what extent will pestering students motivate or at least force them to prepare for classes. It can work in a few cases, but there are people lacking basic understanding, I don't know what they will do.
Attracting good companies for campuses does not help. It in fact worsens the situation. People become care free that good companies are anyways going to come and pay them hefty salaries. So why work at all. Just get admission and relax. PGs in IITs are the best example of such a scenario. Filtering of candidates can be done during admissions, but because of the scale of operations at undergrad level, it becomes difficult.
you have already mentioned about getting good faculty but to shower their knowledge you need to nudge the profs...
and about companies there are many colleges in south India where Microsoft comes but doesn't recruit more than 3 and there are people who try their best to get in since their first sem...
About filtering at time of admission man you cannot complain much they have IITJEE/GATE n all, if you are against interview - motivate the profs they will bother about people joining under them
@ Shreya:
Oh ya, if you have good Profs then students can benefit more by nudging them.
Its good to see people study well to get good placement. If it works, then its good, but that needs to monitored closely.
Yes JEE/GATE are there but they have become too standard. Many muggers pass these exams as well, and these are the people who do nothing after getting admission since they know they are going to get a good job. And I am for interview at PG level.
And one thing I would like to mention, which I forgot to mention in my post, is that here I am talking about tier 2 and tier 3 colleges only, and not the top institutes.
Hello Arpit,
Nice article, even loved the comments that are flowing and the direction that the conversation is heading ...I personally am of a totally different opinion altogether...
let me take you there step by step..
Step 1. I am in KG ... I learn abcd I learn drawing.I definitely don't know what I am going to do with my life.
Step 2. I am in Third. I learn logo
...I am in love with my Bi-cycle ...I still don't know what i am going to do with my life but my grandpa says I ll be an engineer.
Step 3. I am in fifth I learn kho-kho and learn tabla ...I still love my Bi-cycle ...Oh yes I want to be like my mama ...
Step 4. I am in sixth I learn dancing ...I learn Karate...Computers are my first love now. I want to kick like bruce lee.
Step 5. I am in ninth I learn swimming...we do some crafty project in science and won ...
I am confused what I am going to be.
Step 6. I just barely passed my tenth...so basically everyone counsels me to take science because there is no one to guide me otherwise at home ...I decide so to opt for science and computers... of course you can't forget your childhood love...
Step 7. I am in twelfth, I learn Volley-Ball, I am cultural head of my school I do dance for my "yellow house " I do painting for my school I even went far to actually conduct assembly and give speeches I also am half drowsy at my coaching which apparently takes my whole day...Oh and not to mention I am into one of those computer project with friends.
Step 8. I passed 12 ( thankfully )...
now everybody around me says i think you should take a drop and you have capabilities you can make it through tier 1... I say ...um why not ...
now I am in Mumbai trying to fulfill my family's dream...
Step 9. Reality Check ..I don't get through...was sent to Delhi to study at some very expensive college to become a "quality engineer"...I am happy about it.
Step 10. I realize I am bad at being an engineer I try finding my space within the scenario I joined the creative team went on to become creative head ... Also got chance to play Volley-Ball again..loved it went to play for college a lot of times...
Step 11. I am in Third Year I realize I have done nothing with the purpose I came here for yet...Lets try and fix everything about it ... now a self assessment what i am good at that fits the current scenario { MBA , M.Tech., Job }*{ India, Abroad }...
Step 12. I give my full effort in qualifying to one of those ...
Ah! I got job now at least for a while everybody will be happy about it ...
Step 13. I realize I have been playing around with my life all along ...I try finding my true passion ...now I am standing on a two sided sword any which way one thing or the other ...
So coming down to what I was trying to say is all that instead of targeting the engineering colleges which would be quick fix solution a general mass communication process needs to be installed for the parents and their children on a regular basis so as to learn the child's behavior and provide for the best opportunities that he can afford. So basically something like since no child is same a customized curriculum based on the behavior of the child must be introduced ( I haven't thought this through since this idea just came into my mind ) ...I am no revolt but under the current system a regular counselling session can be made compulsory for a better growth I believe that if I learn what I love I will love to share it and teach it to the next generation with even more passion because I know that how much excitement I felt every-time I try and learn painting.. :)
I am working as a Graphic Designer, Artist, SEO Manager and a Developer at ZinkID Media, Delhi ...
@ Vatsal:
What you have pointed out is a burning issue which needs to be addressed with the highest priority. But, here our focus has been technical education because, we have realized that this is something for which we have acquired necessary skills, which we know better about and that will enable us to do what we want to do.
The problem that you stated is the root of the problem we are talking about. But we don't find ourselves capable enough to address that at present. We expect that people like you, who have been through it and know the feeling will try and address it. Also, I would like to mention that this is a tricky problem. Because the term 'passion' is highly miss understood as well. Of course, you would know better about it, but what I want to say is that this issue needs to be handled with utmost care. Because if something gets miss communicated then it might lead to problems. I think this issue deserves a to be separate post itself.
But yes, if this issue is resolved, we wont have any problems in getting motivated faculty and motivated students.
From what I have observed during my undergrad tenure, I believe that there are mainly 4 factors that motivate any faculty to be really interested in what they are doing:
1. Freedom: Liberty to choose their area of interest and spend time with that. If they get curious and passionate about it, I don't see why they can't motivate their students to believe in the same. A teacher oneself has to be visionary to guide students who obviously might lack the idea of possibilities and opportunities.
2. Resources: Institution should provide sufficient amount of resources to any faculty or student regardless of their possible failures. In many cases, institute lacks the funds to make this possible or they simply don't want to take the risk.
While for tier 1 colleges, this is hardly an issue. One possible way to address this issue is to set-up some research bodies within institutes that can be supported by industrial or other sponsorships.
Resources are not only just tangible items that can be bought with funds. Students may have great potential but they may need assistance of a wiser mind who might have already chartered through the waters that he might go through. Here IITs can be of great help. In fact they have already started with such initiative (http://nptel.iitm.ac.in/). It can be taken further and can be enhanced to collaborate with other instis for research activities.
3. Appreciation: I think this point has been already raised in this post. I can not help but emphasise on it once more. It was said that government should declare some award but I think it should be appreciated by the institutes first. In tier 2, 3 colleges this is real problem. It should be noticed even if someone fails trying to achieve something significant or someone achieves very less significant. Students and faculties should be recognised for their efforts by each other.
4. Marketing: Yes, marketing is the key to spread anything in the present era. Institutes market their infrastructure, placements etc. But I think that research also should be marketed. Prospective students, their parents, in fact the entire community should be made aware of the endless opportunities and possibilities of research that lie far beyond a job. Of course primary target of any undergrad engg. student would be to get a nice job but studies should not be done keeping only that in mind. Student community has to realise this and for that collective efforts have to be made by marketing personnel and faculties of institutes.
@ Hemang:
I completely agree with you.
Only one thing I would like to mention here is regarding research. In India research is still a highly misunderstood term among both educated and uneducated class alike. So, we won't be able to attract bright students until research becomes common place term to appear in mass media regularly. Basically, common people should realize its worth.
Hey Arpit..
Great initiative and I totally agree with all the ideas documented here. If we are talking about the quality teachers and quality education then one thing i want to add is we must encourage the bright and ignited minds of all fields to be a part of our education system by one or another way. Today in our Indian society the most of the talent wants to join a top notch in his/her fields to mint money and option for teaching profession is kept the last one. I guess the companies should also encourage their most talented and bright minds to provide guidance in Education Institutes. Just imagine the brightest professionals of Microsoft, Siemens or ABB coming to campus to teach future professionals. It will give an extra edge and feel of the real world to students. In India the number of guest lectures taken in colleges is very less. Here in most of tier 3 institutes the teachers are mostly freshers or one with very less industrial experience I guess this gap can be bridged by the way I suggested.
Hardik Vyas
@ Hardik:
Ya you've pointed out an important issue. Guest lectures from industry can really help.
Well, the documentation seems to be having aa bent towards computer engineering faculties
Technically, educational institutes can't make money (they take it home as salary for serving on trusts and it is mostly an investment of the black money they have)
Getting a job being the only motivation might not be a problem, the problem as I see is settling for any haphazard job. One can't deny the need of earning bread and butter for the family
Interaction sessions seems to be logistically difficult (who will pay the costs for the get togethers?, why would the faculty of IITs, DAIICT, etc come? What is in it for them?)
Already awards instituted by the government exist, I doubt they are doing any good
Training sessions by the government also exist. In fact microsoft also has some training sessions
Well, I really loved the suggestions to motivate students, but I have multiple reservations against the thoughts on how to motivate the faculties
Apologies for being critical of some points, which in fact mean that I really appreciate the effort put behind this and have high regards for the remaining points
Post a Comment