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Digitisation and automation have ushered in far reaching changes in leading industries in India. Engineering institutes are evolving new courses to equip their students for the new wave of digital industries. Guru Nanak Institute of Technology (GNIT) has been pioneering various courses in the domain of technical education. Dr. Santanu Kumar Sen, Principal, GNIT, spoke to BE on the new wave of automated industries and how his institute

Q) How are engineering students gearing up for Industry 4.0?

A) The digitisation of manufacturing processes has undergone significant transformation. Industries are becoming heavily data reliant as computers and automation has taken centre stage wherein smart and autonomous systems are being fuelled by machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), block chain and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Work has become multidisciplinary as India engages in supplying global quality manpower with amplified investments and expansion forecasts. The skilled and talented work force in India is doing commendably well to position itself as a unified force, assembling the huge market prospective. The Indian Ministry of Education has meticulously prepared a roadmap to make Indian students compatible with the required skills and engineering colleges are up-skilling human and digital resources accordingly.

Q) How are you deploying this roadmap?

A) To attain excellence in employability, we map Students Emotional Quotient (SEQ) with technical expertise. We spent hours on robust Training Need Analysis (TNA) encompassing industry experts, business leaders, faculty members, students and stake holders. We have incorporated a blended approach of teaching with ‘Learning Technologies Project’ and ‘Information and Communication Technologies’ enabled teaching.

From the first year, we roll out ‘Project Based Learning’ and practical hands on training. We optimise domain specific internship opportunities. We are building a multi-tier collaboration system with industry experts in pedagogy and for implementation of virtual and simulated laboratories, ensuring portability in education. We put in a lot of research in designing methodologies to develop and engage students round the year. Professional training and soft-skills development is provided. Students are sent to pre-planned industries for internships so that the chance of getting employment is higher after completion of that internship course in that particular industry. We have collaborated with globally reputed educational bodies, Institute of Engineers (India) and multiple industries for maximising opportunities in terms of placement and research. We are also working on retaining motivation and focus of students round the year, acquiring funding for extensive high end training and for creating the right infrastructure.

Q) Which are the courses that are gaining popularity?

A) Most of the courses are becoming multidisciplinary in nature. Since the last couple of years, Food Technology and Applied Electronics and Instrumentation are gaining popularity.

According to FICCI, the Indian food services (organised and unorganised) market which was at `3,37,500 crore in 2017 is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10% in the next five years to reach `5,52,000 crore. Food Technology is one of the leading courses in terms of employability. Different colleges are introducing the subject now and we have been running the course for a decade. It deals with preparation and raw material selection, production, processing, preservation, packaging, quality maintenance, research and development and branding and distribution mechanism. Special emphasis is given on innovation of food products while maintaining full compliance with FSSAI regulations. Pepsi, Coca Cola, Nestle, Britannia, Parle, ITC Food, FCI, FSSAI are some of the leading recruiters.

Q) Why are students choosing Electronics and Instrumentation?

A) Instruments and electronic devices are everywhere now – homes, offices, markets and community centres.  With the advent of Industry 4.0, human beings will be surrounded by microchips, CCTVs and other trending technologies.

AEIE is multidisciplinary and accommodates electrical, electronics, biomedical, computers and modern software technologies. The course delves in measurement, control and automation of processes. The students can easily work in their domain or can migrate to other core areas. This enhances the scope for placement and research. Apart from designing, developing, installing and controlling hardware processes, many students also become entrepreneurs after completing this course. AI and IoT are catalysing and consolidating the prospect of instrumentation engineers. DRDO, ISRO, IOC, BARC, NTPC, Railways, BSNL, HAL, AAI, Honeywell, Texas Instruments, National Instruments, ABB, Larsen & Tourbo, Robert Bosch, Invensys, GE, LG, SAMSUNG, SONY, SANSUI, Whirlpool, Intel, TCS, Infosys, Wipro and CTS are some of the leading recruiters.