Tailor technical education to industry needs, says Bhaskar

TIRUPATI: Collegiate and Technical Education commissioner Pola Bhaskar emphasised on making practical knowledge part of the syllabus in technical education. He was participating in a brainstorming session on Restructuring of Diploma Courses in Government Polytechnics of AP held at Sri City here on Tuesday.

Officials of technical education, principals of various government polytechnics and representatives of different industries participated in the brainstorming session. The commissioner felt engaging students in laboratory assignments, rather than theory, will transform them into effective, knowledgeable and focused professionals. It will also improve their placement opportunities.

Bhaskar called for synergy between industry and technical institutes through active interaction. All stakeholders – students, faculty and industry experts – must ideate and generate ideas to bridge the gap between academia and industry,” he stated. He emphasised on internship being made part of curriculum before diplomas are awarded to students.

Sri City founder managing director Ravindra Sannareddy said there is general consensus that the outdated syllabus of technical education be scrapped and latest topics introduced. He assured that Sri City will act as a catalyst to make sure that academia-industry-government partnership yields fruitful results in aligning students with industry’s needs.

Several industry representatives expressed the opinion that special attention be paid to updating curricula in accordance with industry standards and requirements. They felt new specialised courses should be introduced in various engineering fields. They offered to provide students with a year of hands-on training at centres of excellence being established by the industry.