JOIN USNITK conferred Best Technical University award
The award, along with many other awards for engineering educators, was conferred during the inaugural ceremony of the 39th ISTE National Convention organised at NITK on Friday.
Earlier, President of the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES), Lueny Morell inaugurated the annual convention and National conference of the Indian Society of Technical Education (ISTE). In her inaugural address titled ‘Engineering Education: the challenges of 21st century, Morell dwelt upon the need to abolish the mismatch between what schools produce and what the companies need. “Technology is reaching people faster these days and engineering educators can not lag behind”, she said and stressed in reviving the curriculum in technological institutions. “We can not remain in an 18th century curriculum. If we need to turn it inside out to gain better results, we have to do it”, she added. Engineering institutions should respond to the needs of the society, involve all stake holders and evolve a curriculum that is student centred and learning centred, she opined.
Former Director of NITK and President of ISTE Prof N R Shetty in his presidential address demanded a structural reform in the higher education system in the country.
He stressed the need of fostering an entrepreneuring culture and added that entrepreneurs are catalysts and innovators behind economic progress.
Accreditation
Elaborating on the various programmes of ISTE, Prof Shetty said that the Society is planning to launch an initiative in respect of accreditation of engineering institutions in India with the guidance and help from Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), USA, along with American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) and IFEES.
He said that the India Chapter of ‘Global Engineering Deans Council’ (GEDC) will be launched on Saturday, aimed at strengthening education in India by associating Vice Chancellors and Principals with policy makers in different parts of the globe. ISTE has also decided to create a multifunctional website which would function as a library portal at the same time a virtual lab, enabling online faculty development.
Head of Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology division at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Stanislaus Francis D’Souza released the conference proceedings. Secretary General of IFEES Hans Hoyer and Vice Chancellor of Gautam Buddha University in UP Prof R S Nirjar were the guests of honour on the occasion. Executive Director of ISTE Prof Ranjit Singh, Chairman of Central Board of Workers Education Ashok Singh, NITK Director Prof Sandeep Sancheti and others were present.
The conference will conclude on December 20.