Polytechnic plan drawn up to meet industry needs

Curriculum,which is in sync with the needs of the industry,is a major focus of the draft action plan,that will soon be sent to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD),AICTE and polytechnic institutes across the country.

Factors such as lack of focus on practical training and syllabus which may not be as per industry needs were taken into consideration while drafting the plan. The various state governments/state boards,AICTE,polytechnic institutes and industry will work together to implement it.

“The draft plan talks of identifying new diploma programmes continuously by conducting need analysis and through industrial surveys where requirements of the industry will be chalked. This will lead to development of new courses which are in demand in industries. To make our students market-ready,it calls for the development of practical-based curriculum (70:30 for practicals and theory courses) and proper implementation of syllabus to develop hands-on skills. Sponsorship for practicals and projects by industries has also been suggested,” said MSBTE director P M Khodke.

Providing facility for vocational training of students,to be increased by 10 per cent per year,has been incorporated in the plan. It has been recommended that part-time degree programmes be established for working professionals by the AICTE,to be started from 2013. Also,as many students consider polytechnic institutes merely as a gateway to degree programmes in engineering,the draft plan talks of “revisiting and revising” the policy shortly for direct second year degree admission for polytechnic students.

As lack of quality faculty and training for teachers were identified as major bottlenecks in the national meet,the action plan says that at least 20 per cent faculty in the institutes should be given industrial training every year,besides calling for induction training to another 20 per cent yearly. “Publication of one paper in a reputed journal with a good impact factor by faculty members in each institute is also part of the plan,” he said.

Further,five per cent of the faculty members must be involved in research and development and consultancy activities and state boards like the MSBTE and institutes will be responsible for implementing it,says the draft.

Exchange of faculty or facilities from institutes and industries on a regular basis have also been recommended.