It has taken nearly ten years for Nagpur University officials to stir from their slumber and start the process of updating the engineering course syllabus. The syllabus had been unchanged since NU adopted the semester pattern in the engineering faculty, even though the global industry has seen rapid changes.
Ironically, even in 2001-02, when the university changed to the semester pattern from second year onwards, it was among the last ones to do so. Almost a decade later, NU is the only one in Maharashtra to still retain the yearly pattern for first year of engineering. Even Amravati University, which was carved out of NU, switched to semester pattern for all four years a couple of years ago.
In the process, NU engineering syllabus is lagging behind other universities even though it has become an engineering hub of sorts with as many as 58 colleges. NU engineering graduates are not up to date with the latest trends, which are changing everyday as cut-throat competition brings in numerous innovation in all fields.
Engineering faculty dean DK Agrawal admitted that the university has failed to upgrade its syllabus. "In the conventional university system it takes time, unlike in the autonomous institutions. But we've decided to make amends. The new syllabus is ready and would be implemented from 2011-12 academic session," he said.
He added that the first year will be converted into semester pattern with the introduction of new subjects.
Nagpur Institute of Technology (NIT) vice-principal Mahendra Umre expressed serious concern over NU's failure to upgrade syllabus fast. "We're behind by at least 10 years as compared to other universities, due to the rapid pace of modernisation. When computers are ruling the roost and all major works in engineering are done with the help of computers, in NU, the subject is introduced in second year," he lamented.
He added that even a subject like engineering drawing is still taught as theory, whereas other universities have started teaching this through computers and even use advanced softwares like CAD/CAM. "The poor students have to shelve out another Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 to learn these softwares from private institutes after finishing their studies here. Even the latest technologies like web, database and network securities have no mention in the entire four-year syllabus. In subjects like computer science and engineering, Java is taught, but C++, on which it is based, is not taught," he said.
Umre pointed out that even technologies like disc and vacuum brakes, which were used in numerous bikes have failed to find a place in syllabus and students were still studying the traditional brake system. "With mega projects like Mihan and Boeing coming up, I am afraid that NU students might not be able to get jobs in the absence of proper exposure and lack of knowledge of latest technologies," he warned.
The engineering dean however said that they have tried to include all the latest trends in engineering in the new syllabus. "We've not only introduced new subjects, but also changed nomenclature of existing ones. The scheme of exam has also undergone a sea change. In fact, we've suggested separate passing for theory and sessionals, though the suggestion has not been implemented as yet," he said.
Ironically, even in 2001-02, when the university changed to the semester pattern from second year onwards, it was among the last ones to do so. Almost a decade later, NU is the only one in Maharashtra to still retain the yearly pattern for first year of engineering. Even Amravati University, which was carved out of NU, switched to semester pattern for all four years a couple of years ago.
In the process, NU engineering syllabus is lagging behind other universities even though it has become an engineering hub of sorts with as many as 58 colleges. NU engineering graduates are not up to date with the latest trends, which are changing everyday as cut-throat competition brings in numerous innovation in all fields.
Engineering faculty dean DK Agrawal admitted that the university has failed to upgrade its syllabus. "In the conventional university system it takes time, unlike in the autonomous institutions. But we've decided to make amends. The new syllabus is ready and would be implemented from 2011-12 academic session," he said.
He added that the first year will be converted into semester pattern with the introduction of new subjects.
Nagpur Institute of Technology (NIT) vice-principal Mahendra Umre expressed serious concern over NU's failure to upgrade syllabus fast. "We're behind by at least 10 years as compared to other universities, due to the rapid pace of modernisation. When computers are ruling the roost and all major works in engineering are done with the help of computers, in NU, the subject is introduced in second year," he lamented.
He added that even a subject like engineering drawing is still taught as theory, whereas other universities have started teaching this through computers and even use advanced softwares like CAD/CAM. "The poor students have to shelve out another Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 to learn these softwares from private institutes after finishing their studies here. Even the latest technologies like web, database and network securities have no mention in the entire four-year syllabus. In subjects like computer science and engineering, Java is taught, but C++, on which it is based, is not taught," he said.
Umre pointed out that even technologies like disc and vacuum brakes, which were used in numerous bikes have failed to find a place in syllabus and students were still studying the traditional brake system. "With mega projects like Mihan and Boeing coming up, I am afraid that NU students might not be able to get jobs in the absence of proper exposure and lack of knowledge of latest technologies," he warned.
The engineering dean however said that they have tried to include all the latest trends in engineering in the new syllabus. "We've not only introduced new subjects, but also changed nomenclature of existing ones. The scheme of exam has also undergone a sea change. In fact, we've suggested separate passing for theory and sessionals, though the suggestion has not been implemented as yet," he said.
0 comments:
Post a Comment