'Innovative, blended learning need of hour in engg & technology'
Engineering and technology is passing through a transformational phase due to the ever-increasing industry expectations. Modern disruptive technologies like 3D printing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, robotics, cyber security, headless technology, edge computing, virtual and augmented reality, 5G and improved connectivity are influencing the manufacturing, service, utilities and many more sectors. The conventional pedagogical techniques being followed at the educational institutions may not be sufficient for effective learning and exercising the modern technologies. Innovative and blended learning techniques are becoming the need of the hour.
As the modern students are more adaptive towards these areas, the disrupted technologies are dominating the present education scenario but the fundamental engineering knowledge and skills are equally important. In the modern commercial marketing era, the need of providing basic skills to the young technocrat should be duly recognised. The concept of experiential learning (EL) may play a big role in this direction. In EL, the learner is given opportunity and environment to perform hands-on-practice in the selected domains. This approach plays an effective role for fostering innovations and critical thinking in the minds of students. Moreover, it promotes team work, communications skills and many more interpersonal attributes.
At the GNDEC, the approach of experiential learning, although, has been followed for long, and a dedicated centre has been recently conceived and is being developed. The GNDEC alumni has come forward to financially support the centre. The special working spaces, mechanical, electrical, electronic machines and tools, IOT kits, robotic accessories, sensors, drones and many modern gadgets shall be the part of this centre. The students shall be given ample opportunities, time and technical guidance at the Experiential Learning Centre (ELC).
The collaboration between industry and academia is one of the effective solutions for promoting technical skills and entrepreneurial attitude among young population. The basic "hand holding" needs to be provided by the industry as well as educational institutions to generate a conducive environment for the learners on a sustainable basis. The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, had developed a dedicated facility at the GNDEC in the form of Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Park (STEP) where the students could sharpen their entrepreneurial skills. The STEP provides basic amenities and technical support to the upcoming first generation entrepreneurs. A system for providing handsome financial grants for the innovative projects is also available. The DST has recently sanctioned a project worth Rs 68 lakh for improving research infrastructure of the college. A special undergraduate programme BCom specialising entrepreneurship was started last year. Another BTech programme in robotics and artificial intelligence (RAI) is being started in the current academic session. Special short duration courses available include AI, ML, EVs, industrial safety and econometrics can also be explored. The industrial players like TATA steel, Blue Star and local industrial undertakings have collaborated with the GNDEC for upgrading and promoting collaboration and multi-disciplinary innovations. A lot of opportunities are existing in the transformational and digital technology phase where the young generation of the state and country can get respectable positions, but the sincerity of purpose, consistent hard work and passion are essential to succeed.
