Six-month internship will provide enough industrial exposure to GTU students, says Vice-Chancellor
Shiksha caught up with Navin Sheth, Vice-Chancellor, Gujarat Technological University, where he discusses about the importance of practical exposure, Vedic knowledge, cow research centre to students and more. Scroll down to read full interview.
Q. Gujarat Technological University (GTU) recently made six months internship compulsory for engineering students. How do you think will it benefit students?
A. Practical exposure to the industry is crucial for technical courses. As in all branches of engineering, technological advancements are done very frequently, it is important for the students to learn about those advancements and new tech practices in addition to the theoretical knowledge. Students have to complete a six-month internship in their eighth semester. This will provide them enough industrial exposure and help them apply their theoretical knowledge to practice. The increased internship period will help students get pre-placement offers from the company they intern with. Also, companies will have appropriate time to evaluate the skill set of students, train them and do necessary refinements before the final placement offer.
Q. GTU launched 12 online courses on Vedic Indian knowledge systems. What will be the scope and job opportunities for those who opt for these courses?
A. The 12 online courses are based on various branches of the Indian Knowledge system. The environmental crisis, thecivilisationalcrisis, all can be solved with ancient wisdom and knowledge. The New Education Policy also aims at educating students in ancient Indian traditional knowledge system and its contribution to the world. Hence, experts in this field will have ample scope for jobs in academic institutes in future. Like a few years ago, yoga was not seen as a profession, but today yoga teachers earn a lot.
Q. GTU is planning to introduce National Cadet Corps (NCC) as a credit course in its affiliated colleges. What will be the evaluation pattern for the course? Will the institute hire faculty from outside to teach this course?
A. GTU is planning to introduce National Cadet Corps (NCC) as a credit course in its affiliated colleges. The evaluation pattern will consist of three components: E component will have 70 marks, M component 30 marks and V component 50 marks. The passing criteria will be the same as per respective course,i.e.Bachelor of Engineering, Diploma in Engineering and Bachelor of Pharmacy. For calculation of SPI (Semester Performance Index), CPI (Cumulative Performance Index) and CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average), all courses of NCC will be considered. The subjects will also be counted for subject detention. For this subject, recheck and reassessment will also be allowed. All teaching and examination process will be conducted by the Associate NCC Officer (ANO) and the team of NCC of the respective college as per the academic calendar of the university.
Q. GTU has established a cow research centre. What was the idea behind this and how will it help students?
A. Research on cow and its physical properties will help yield results in the direction of environmental damage control. For example, our futuristic plan to create green energy from cow dung is going to be a game changer. GTU-GAU (Gau Anusandhan Unit) will organise various events to nurture and develop innovative ideas about scientific, economic, environmental, and spiritual importance of indigenous cow in youth. GTU-GAU aims to create entrepreneurship, livelihood and employment opportunities in this sector. This will promote the use of cow dung and urine for bio-pesticides, biofertilisers, organic farming, cosmetic and household items and bio-gas for making self-reliant goshalas.
Q. GTU failed to find a place in top 200 institutions in India in this year’s National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF). What do you think are the reasons for the downfall of the institute?
A. I do not agree with the word ‘downfall’ as it is an emerging university and started a few years ago. GTU is only a 13-year-old university and was established in 2007. Here, the academic activities started in 2017 only, just four years ago. In most of the ranking frameworks, teaching-learning and research activities parameters play a significant role which need specific time horizon. The top 200 universities existing for more than 50 years. Most of the accreditation needs at least 03 (NBA) to 05 (NAAC) batches to be passed out to get the eligibility to apply. The Gujarat government had recently allotted for the construction of GTU building. A high-quality campus and infrastructural facilities are a prerequisite to create a sound educational ecosystem on the campus. Looking to the budgetary provision, in the last 10 years, GTU has received very nominal fund from the government that directly affects the performance of the university.
Q. The industry is seeing an increasing demand for data scientists, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) professionals. Are you planning to introduce any courses around these fields?
A. Looking at the need for professionals in the emerging domains such as data science, AI and ML, the university has taken vital steps. We have introduced minor degree/specialisationdegree in the AICTE-approved undergraduateprogrammes in affiliated institutions. We have also started various postgraduate programmes – PG in cyber security (2017), PG diploma in data science (2020) and PG in Internet of Things (IoT) in 2021.
Q. How are you preparing your students to be industry ready?
A. For engineering students, GTU has made the entire eighth semester an internship semester from December 2021. This will ensure sufficient exposure to the industry practices in relevant fields. For regular interactions with the industry and to make the students aware of the latest happenings in industries, GTUorganisestalks, seminars and live sessions with industry experts.
It is also important to keep the syllabus up-to-date and in line with the latest techniques of the industry. In every branch of Board of Studies, there is a provision to keep two experts from the industry so that they can provide their suggestions regarding latest industry practices in syllabus. Besides, GTU has also set up an industry institute interaction committee (IIIC) to ensure strategic planning and implementation of industry inputs in various matters and activities of the university.
Q. Will there be any fee increase in courses offered by GTU?
A. GTU offers several UG and PGprogrammesandthe fees is INR 12,500 per semester, which is the lowest fee all over Gujarat since establishment and there is no increase in fees to date.
Q. Many engineering colleges are starting to impart education in Indian languages. Are you also planning to do so?
A. Right now, all diploma institutes affiliated to GTU are allowing students to study subjects in their regional language,i.e.Gujarati and students are also allowed to take the exams in the same language. GTU will implement the same in undergraduate programmes in future.
Q. Are you planning to introduce blended system of learning at GTU. If yes, what measures will you be taking for its implementation?
A. The University’s Academic Council has approved to offer courses through SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active–Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) platform to students of all courses. The detailed guidelines for implementing the same are under process.
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