Journal of Engineering Education Transformations

L. N. Mittal ¹, P. K. Singla ¹, S. K. Gupta ¹

Affiliations
1 Curriculum Development Centre, Tech. Teachers Training Institute, Chandigarh, IN

Abstract

Diploma course in civil engineering is being offered by majority of polytechnics in the country. Considerable amount of unemployment is being experienced in the diploma holders graduating in this course. It is indeed a strange dichotomy that in a country like India, where more than 60 percent of plan budget go to construction industry directly or indirectly, diploma holders in civil engineering still face such an unemployment. This paper highlights the finding of a study conducted to ascertain the factors contributing to the unemployment of such diploma holders and make recommendations/suggestions for enhanced employability of diploma holders in this field.

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P. K. Singla ¹

Affiliations
1 Curriculum Development Centre, TTTI, Chandigarh, IN

Abstract

Industries, world over, are facing a number of challenges, in terms of production efficiency and quality parameters, due to globalization and competitiveness. The problems are more complicated today because many changes are occurring not only simultaneously but also more rapidly than in the past. These changes are occurring in all sectors of industries whether these are manufacturing, service or agriculture/mining sector industries. Applications of CAD/ CAM/CNC/AUTO CAD and other Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) techniques have come to stay in the Indian industrial scenario. Despite the benefits which automation and computerization can bring, the decisions for investment in ':Advanced Manufacturing Services" mainly depend on the specialized technical/skilled personnel required for manning these enterprises. Technician Engineers being the backbone of any industry, are mainly responsible for executing and managing all types of activities starting right from raw material, processing, marketing, managing and controlling at shop floor, have therefore to be equipped with CIM techniques if they have to sustain in the industry. It is here that role of polytechnic level institutions comes into play to produce matching manpower as per the requirements/ developments of the world of work.

Though efforts have been made by Curriculum Development Centres (CDCs) of Technical Teachers' Training Institutes and states in different regions of the country to include these CIM techniques in various engineering/vocational/art base curricula, there exists a large gap between curricula and its implementation. In order to fill-up this gap it is absolutely necessary to i) provide training and develop competency in each teaches; working in the polytechnic, to handle various computer softwares available for designing, drafting, testing, processing, managing etc., irrespective of the courses/subjects the teacher is handling ii) develop/procure various engineering/vocational/art application computer software packages iii) develop infrastructure and environment to ensure use of CAUCAI and other multimedia for better comprehension, understanding and skill development in the students. An integrated approach is essential to bridge the gaps between industry, curriculum and polytechnics.

Keywords

CAD, CAM, CIMS, NC, CNC, DNC, IT, CAL, Cal, VR, VL, CPM, PERT, GERT, GAPP, GT, CAQC, MRP, FMS, EDM, BDPS, Micro-Factory, Advance Manufacturing Services Explained in Appendix.

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L. N. Mittal ¹, P. K. Singla ²

Affiliations
1 Curriculum Developments Centre, IN
2 TTTI, Chandigarh, IN

Abstract

Out of 10 to 30 million life forms on earth, there is only one Species-Homo-Sapiens-the man, who can change the environment according to his needs. It is perhaps this ability of the man which has now posed a serious question as to how to plan his own future survival on the earth. During the hunter - gatherer stage of civilization, the total energy requirement of a person was 2000-4000 Kcal per day and this was obtainable entirely through the food chain and his own muscular energy for doing the work. Ever increasing population growth, coupled with energy intensive life style, have not only accelerated the consumption of limited exhaustable natural resources like water, crude oil, coal and minerals but have consistently been deteriorating the quality of all the three spheres of the earth i.e. soil, water and air. It is becoming increasingly evident that technological advancements have been largely made in pursuit of objectives which have created an adverse impact on the environment and to rectify the damage there is a felt need for change. A systems approach in which environmental considerations are integrated into the technical education process can bring about the much needed "change process" as the technicians, engineers and scientists are backbone of the industry who perform important functions right from management of shop floor and production to safety and quality control. Besides options of introducing components of environment in individual courses/subjects and introducing a special course in environment in various programmes, the paper suggests an approach consisting of combination of these two options. A separate degree or diploma programme in environment is not feasible due to limited scope of employment opportunities for such programmes. However, post-graduate or post - diploma with specialization in environment can be another feasible solution to tackle the problem. Technical institutions can act as "Change Agents" and by their own example become "Creditable Source of Information" and provide educational, consultancy, research and extension services to other organizations engaged in this endeavor of environmental/ecological protection. The paper also suggests guidelines for deciding contents of environmental awareness course and types of services technical institutes can provide to other government/non government organization to bring about desired challenge in attitudes of people and make them understand the role people can play in preserving harmony in environment and ecology.

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