In Conversation With the VC
Industry now recognizes the value of innovations
PROF. P. B. Sharma is a renowned academician who has steered Delhi College of Engineering ( now Delhi Technological University) for the last two decades. A Doctorate from Birmingham, Sharma is a former Professor of IIT Delhi and has been the founder Vice- Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi Technological University, Bhopal. During his long association with DCE, he was able to introduce innovations in diverse areas and bring high international recognition to the institute. He spoke at length to Kunal Doley about the university and its long and eventful journey.
From being a polytechnic to an engineering college and now a technological university, how has been the journey of DTU so far?
DCE was established in 1941 as a model institution to pioneer technical education in India. It is the mother institution of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, School of Planning & Architecture and College of Arts and has played a pivotal role in the growth of quality technical education in India. During the last 68 years it has made a profound contribution in the field of technical education and research and has provided to the world high- capability engineers who have excelled both in India and abroad. The upgradation of DCE into Delhi Technological University is a historic decision of the government of Delhi and is seen as a major opportunity to develop DTU as a world- class tech university.
As the first vice- chancellor of DTU, what are your focus areas?
DTU shall focus on the troika of education, research and innovation. As per our plan, four new B. Tech programmes ( with an annual intake of 240), six new PG programmes ( 18 seats each), MBA ( 60 seats) and 50 scholarships for Ph.D including 25 teaching- cum- research fellowships have been added from the current academic session ( 2009- 10) itself. Further expansion of education and research programmes will take place in the years to follow. The total student strength in DTU will be almost three times of its current student intake ( 3,500) in the next five years with the addition of new programmes including dual- degree programmes and integrated Masters programmes in areas of relevance to our country in medical engineering, aerospace engineering, bio- informatics, clean energy and environment technology, new and smart materials and nanotechnology.
What are the core strengths of DTU?
Broadly speaking, the brand DCE is now brand DTU. As such, it shall continue to receive the very best talent in its fold for its academic and research programmes. Innovative and creative student community and qualified faculty having proven track record of internationally recognized innovations is our core strength. Excellent placements attracting a large number of reputed companies speak highly of the quality of our graduates. The highest salary offered even during the recession last year was Rs 40 lakh per annum and this year 230 offers have been received for the batch graduating in 2010. The alumni presence worldwide is also one of our core strength.
What is the state of professional education in the country?
A large number of engineering institutions in the country today lack focus on quality of education, research integrity and creating the power of innovation in the institutional campuses. It is an acknowledged fact that there has been uncontrolled expansion of technical education in the country. The focus has been on multiplying number of institutions and maximizing surplus generated from student fees rather than maximizing quality of education and research. This has resulted into poor employability and loss of credibility in technical education sector. It is not too late to apply corrective actions provided there is a determined will on part of the Government and the affiliating Universities.
Now that the recession is on its way down, what does it mean for the industry?
The industry today recognizes the value and worth of innovations and is looking forward to working with academic institutions and universities for technology innovations and new product development. In this positive environment, the technology universities have to play their role to establish systems of industry institution partnership in education and research. This will be a win- win position for both the industry and the universities as it will cause industry relevance for university education and research and will bridge the gap between a professional engineer and a graduating engineer. Further, the institutions must begin to operate like knowledge enterprises so that the creation of knowledge and its transformation into national prosperity could be effectively supported by the institutions of higher learning.
Published in Mail Today (1st Dec 2009)