Leaders from Historical Institutions : Discussion on the Origin of Technical Education in India

On 21.10.2024 a session on the title “Leaders from Historical Institutions: Discussion on the Origin of Technical Education in India” was organized by the MoE Innovation Cell, New Delhi. The guest speakers were Prof. T G Sitharam, Chaiman AICTE, Dr. J Prakash registrar of Anna University, College of Engineering, Guindy, Prof Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, Prof. S.G. Bhurid, VC, COEP and Dr. V. M. S. R. Murthy, Director, IIEST Shibpur. 187 students and 24 faculties participated in the program. This event was coordinated by Dr. R Prem Ananth, IIC Convener, IIC Innovation Ambassador for "Design thinking & Innovations", Assistant professor, Francis Xavier Engineering College.

The guest speakers were the visionary leaders from renowned historical institutions to highlight the rich heritage of technical education in India. From the founding of early engineering colleges to the creation of industrial research centers, our distinguished panel illuminated the key milestones that have contributed to India’s emergence as a global innovation hub and the remarkable stories of perseverance, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped the modern technical education landscape of India.

Discussion Points:

• The journey began in the 19th century with the creation of institutions like the Thomason College of Civil Engineering (now IIT Roorkee) in 1847.
• The role of British colonial policies in shaping early technical education.
• Contributions of luminaries like Sir Arthur Cotton and Dr. John Matley in building engineering education infrastructure
• Visionaries who recognized the need for industrial and technical education in India
• The founding of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 1942 and its impact on Indian industry and education.
• How research centers, such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs), shaped industrial innovation
• The contribution of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in nuclear, space, and technological advancements.
• The government’s role in establishing IITs in the 1950s and 1960s to meet the country's growing demand for engineers.
• Milestones like the introduction of the National Policy on Education (1968) that emphasized technical training.
• Initiatives that made technical education more accessible to various social strata, including the establishment of polytechnic institutions.
• The role of technical education in the rise of India's IT industry and its evolution into a global outsourcing giant.
• The impact of organizations like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and multinational tech firms on India’s educational institutions.
• The growth of entrepreneurship and innovation through incubators and research parks in top technical institutions.
• Challenges in ensuring inclusivity, quality, and relevance of technical education in the 21st century.
• The importance of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in educational curricula to meet future demands.