Spheres of Influence: Ventures and Visions in Educational Development*

3-6 July, 2002
The University of Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia

Abstract

The bridge that never was

Manimala Puri, D.Y. Patil College of Engineering, India

World experience tells us that the key resource of any nation now is neither oil, minerals nor land and water, but it is the human resource. Harnessing brainpower of human resource to raise their scientific and technological capability is the only strategy which is found to work better in building a nation. Industry's success depends on the quality of people who work for them and so they expect them to acquire fundamental knowledge and skill of application. Industries are now modernizing their operations continuously and they expect engineers to have the ability to look at a process and figure out how to improve it. They ought to learn to have vision and ability to anticipate and understand the business principles. Today, industry needs innovators who can adapt quickly to technological changes. Industry needs problem solvers, thinkers and team players who can communicate effectively.

This paper "The bridge that never was" discusses the need for a bridge which is a must for mutual benefit for academia and industry. It discusses the importance of industry institute interaction, what are the expectations from industry and the need for industry institute interaction and the areas of interaction. The present scenario of Technical Education in India, reasons for diversity, strategies for this kind of interaction are described. It further highlights the role of an apex body like the All India Council for Technical Education (A.I.C.T.E.) and illustrates the importance of building this bridge by launching of various schemes.

Manimala Puri is currently working as Head of Information Technology Department at D.Y. Patil College of Engineering, Pune, India. Prior to this she served as Director, All India Council for Technical Education (A.I.C.T.E.) an Apex Body responsible for coordinated development of technical education in India. As Director of A.I.C.T.E she has been responsible for policy making, planning and development of technical education. Puri has a Masters in Engineering and Telecommunication, along with a PG Diploma in Business Administration. She has 17 years of teaching experience and has published four books in the field of electronics and has presented papers at national and international conferences. Recently she has been awarded 'BHARAT VIKAS' award for her contribution to the field of education in India.

Contact: Manimala Puri, email: manimalap@yahoo.com