By looking at the number of engineering colleges in India and the number of engineers coming out of these colleges, the question that comes to everyone’s mind is, “Does India need so many engineers? Are they all employable?” The answer is big yes. The world needs plenty well-equipped, talented graduates with right attitude. There are job opportunities for those who have the potential. The engineers are the backbone and form the core of a nation to enable it become a leading country in the world. India has the potential to be a global technology leader. The Indian economy has been growing at the rate of 9% per year. The Indian industry has also become globally competitive in several sectors and can increase its global market share. A critical factor in this will be the success of the technical education system in India. There should be close coordination between the institutions of higher learning and the world of work due to the challenge posed by super-industrialism and tremendous increase in the rate of scientific activity, which necessitate estimating and forecasting technical work force requirements at all levels. The global perspective and dimensions have to be considered herein as well because Engineering is in itself a global industry. Considering the potential of India to become a global technology leader in areas like chemicals, automobiles, and more, it is all the more important to work upon high education and research areas in India. India became a permanent member of the Washington Accord (WA) in June 2014. The country is now a part of an exclusive group of 17 countries who are permanent signatories of the WA, an elite international agreement on engineering studies and mobility of engineers.
In order to succeed in today’s knowledge- led economic environment, one will need to take that extra step beyond just academic excellence. A qualification might open a great avenue but to remain relevant to that field one needs to keep learning from real life requirements. Along with the theoretical knowledge, ability to adapt to business environments in different geographies and constantly upgrading your learning will help boost your career. Business leaders are looking for talent that possesses multi-disciplinary skills. Along with academic excellence and technical/functional knowledge, organizations are looking for soft skills like culture adaptability, strategic acumen, and creativity. To become employable, students need to understand the market and acquire skills that are in demand. The fundamental knowledge undergirding engineering practice increasingly requires research at the extremes, from the microscopic level of nanotechnology to the mega level of global systems such as civil infrastructure, energy, and climate change as well as the mastery of new tools such as cyber infrastructure and quantum engineering. It also requires far greater attention by government and industry to the support of the long-term basic engineering research necessary to build the knowledge base key to addressing society’s needs. To meet these underlying challenges and make the most of the available opportunities in Engineering, the need of the hour is to make the engineers of today ready for the industry tomorrow.
The Indian engineering sector has witnessed a remarkable growth over the last few years driven by increased investments in infrastructure and industrial production. The engineering sector, being closely associated with the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors, is of strategic importance to India’s economy. India on its quest to become a global superpower has made significant strides towards the development of its engineering sector. The Government of India has appointed the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) as the apex body in charge of promotion of engineering goods, products, and services from India. India exports transport equipment, capital goods, other machinery/equipment, and light engineering products such as castings, forgings, and fasteners to various countries of the world. The Indian semiconductor industry offers high growth potential areas as the industries, which source semiconductors, as inputs are themselves witnessing high demand.
The engineering sector is a growing market. Spending on engineering services is projected to increase to US$ 1.1 trillion by 2020. The government, in consultation with semiconductor industry, has increased focus on the ESDM sector in last few years. Some of the initiatives outlined in the National Electronics policy and the National Telecom policy are already in the process of implementation, such as Preferential Market Access (PMS), Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) and Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS).
Finally, engineers contribute considerably to the quality of life in society and it is important that they articulate their role clearly and firmly. We hope that a definition of these principles will enhance this contribution. Without engineers we can’t even think about getting so modernized world, where almost every person depends on technology. Engineers create innovative stuff just by their different way of thinking from the common person and by their skills, dedication, and hard work they create something new or improve the products.
About the Author
Dr. H.S. Jadhav is presently working as Dean, Diploma, RIT. He has worked as Head, Department of Civil Engineering and Member, Board of Governance, RIT, Rajaramnagar. He is Chairman, MSBTE External Academic Monitoring Committee, Member BOS and Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Exam Lapses Committee, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. He has received Best Monitor, Best teacher and Excellence department performance award. He has guided 39 MEs/M.Techs and 6 Ph.D. Scholars (Ongoing). Many of his research papers have been published in national and international journals- 72. He has also organized various national and international conferences, workshop, STTPs Seminars.
