INDUSTRIAL-INSTITUTION INTERACATION

INDEX

SR
NO.
1
2

TOPIC

PAGE
NO.

INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES

3
4
5

INTRACTION WITH INDUSTRIES

FEASIBILITY REPORTS
INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS

(1)INTRODUCTION
Better interaction between Technical institutions and industry is the need of
the hour. This will have great bearing on the Engineering Curriculum,
exposure of industrial atmosphere to engineering students and subsequent
placement of young graduating engineers in industries across the country.
With the advent of globalization and opening up of Indian economy to
outside world, competitions among industries have become stiff. To solve
their engineering problems they look up now to engg. Institutions. Similarly,
there is an urgent need to prepare engineering students for jobs in
multinational companies, by exposing them to newer technologies and
engineering methodologies. These objectives can only be achieved well by
bridging the gap between industry and the academic institute.
To Promote Industry - Institute Interaction Following Schemes Are
Being Undertaken.

Encouraging engineers from industry to visit Engineering Institution to

deliver lectures.

Participation of experts from industry in curriculum development.

Arranging visits of staff members to various industry

Professional consultancy by the faculty to industries.

Industrial testing by faculty & technicians at site or in laboratory.

Joint research programmes and field studies by faculty and people

from industries.

Visits of faculty to industry for study and discussions or delivering

lectures on subjects of mutual interest.

Visits of industry executives and practicing engineers to the Institute

for seeing research work and laboratories, discussions and delivering
lectures on industrial practices, trends and experiences.
Memoranda of Understanding between the Institute and industries to
bring the two sides emotionally and strategically closer.
Human resource development programmes by the faculty for
practicing engineers.
Collaborative degree programmes.
B.Tech. and M.Tech. Projects/dissertation work in industries under joint
guidance of the faculty and experts from industry.
Practicing engineers taking up part-time M.Tech./Ph.D. programme at
NIT Tiruchirappalli
Short-term assignment to faculty members in industries.
Visiting faculty/professors from industries.
Professorial Chairs sponsored by industries at the Institute.
R&D Laboratories sponsored by industries at the Institute.
Scholarships/fellowships instituted by industries at the Institute for
students.
Practical training of students in industries

The industry institute interaction will promote and nurture mutual interaction
and plays a positive role in the growth of both; industry institute interaction
cell which is striving to bring out its best in the future, is planning to evolve
consistent educational programmes which will produce engineering
personnel capable of coping with the immediate need of technological
development. To provide an opportunity to the students to work in industries
for student projects to get to know of the same and develop himself to keep
abreast with the industries and to understand their needs. To achieve this,
necessary and adequate facility should also be created in the institute. Joint
research and development program between industry and the input is also
being effectively co-ordinate. Emphasis is being made to bring about
understanding among institutes and industries that the development is
better with the application of theoretical analysis and experience of the
industry. The industry institute interaction plays an important role in the
economic growth and prosperity of the country in general and placement of
students in particular. In this regard, students are to be motivated to
concentrate on the field problems in addition to the regular curriculum.
Hence, better interaction between the technical institutions and industry
which is need of the hour. This will definitely have greater bearing on the
engineering curriculum, exposure of the industrial atmosphere to the
engineering students and subsequent placement of young graduating
engineers in industries across the country. The objectives can be achieved
very well by bridging the gap between industry and academic institutions.
The interactions will promote the industry; institute interaction by providing
the establishment of industry institute partnership/ interaction cell. Also, the
participation in the curriculum design activity and arranging the visits of staff

members to the various industries, organizing seminars/ workshop on related

topics will enhance the industry; institute interaction.
2 .OBJECTIVE OF INDUSTRY INSTITUTE
INTERACTION
The educational programme is evolved in the technical institutions which are
consistent with the broad requirements of the industry not neglecting the
basics and which; can produce engineering personnel capable of coping with
the accelerating pace of the new technical development. It is also necessary
to update the knowledge of professional engineers and technologists to
understand and meet the growth and development of the Industry by
creating adequate facilities. Thus, the job research and development
programme between industries and the institute has to be created.
2.1. Joint Research Projects
The sponsoring industry is identified by the technical cell of institution to
provide and collaborate the research projects for the students, which will
update the current knowledge of the students. In a concrete step towards
industry institute interaction, the industry and the institute will launch an
academic center of excellence and user oriented training programmes
exclusively for the faculty members. This will help the students to get
motivated towards the field problems. Civil or structural engineering for
instance requires the fastest computation technology to analyse the field
problems in many ways.
2.2. Industrial Consultancy
The industry institute interaction cell will have proactive mode in identifying
projects and consultancy assignments matching the requirements of the
industries and the expertise/delivery capabilities of the institution.
2.3. Continuing Education Programmes For
Industry Personnel
The industry personnel will have interaction with the head of the institution
on regular basis. In addition, the respective industries will hold the
continuing education programmes for industry personnel about the campus
recruitment among placement programmes, upgrading the quality of
education, the course content and enhancing the exposure of the faculty to
the needs of the industry.
2.4. Entrepreneurship Awareness

When selecting the career options, the relevance of the entrepreneurial

concept and capability amongst student engineers is made known (wani etal
2004). The significance of industry institute interaction, the role of
engineering education and the impact of engineering education in the
growth of small and medium industries is depending on the development of
entrepreneurial vision amongst engineers and the necessity; of the engineer
as entrepreneur. Hence the development of entrepreneurship amongst
engineers will be an innovation, helpful in the removal of regional imbalance
and sustainable growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). An
engineer, through self-employment as career can bring about a technical
revolution that can meet the challenges of the emerging scenario of the
globalization and liberalization, with a key; element of competition rather
than protection.
3 INTRACTION WITH INDUSTRIES
The higher education institutions and engineering universities produce a
good number of graduates every year where as the industry / professional
sector considers that majority of the graduates lack the necessary job-site
skills required by the industry. In most of the cases the engineering
universities / institutions follow a supply driven system rather than a demand
driven market oriented system. The graduates of engineering universities
and others qualifying from higher education institutions should be aware of
the current trends and practices being followed in industry. They must have
the knowledge and skills required by the industry. An engineering / higher
education system be developed which is responsive to the new innovations
in technologies and which can take care of competitive market. Thus,
creating and establishing channels of linkages between higher education /
engineering education and industry is the need of the hour in order to meet
the future challenges.
3.1 KEY PLAYERS
The key players in strengthening interaction between engineering
institutions, universities and industry are universities / engineering
institutions, industry and government. Universities / Engineering Institutions
major responsibility is to provide qualified manpower according to the
requirements and needs of industry. Industry on the other hand needs to
provide input about their needs and requirements. Industry should also be
involved in curriculum development and policy making for higher education,
engineering education and training. The government has the role of a
facilitator in building and improving interaction between engineering / higher
education and industry as shown in Fig.1.

3.1 Universities / Engineering Institutions

A major responsibility of universities / engineering institutions is to produce
trained
manpower to meet the needs of industry / professional sector. Their output
must cater to the actual need, requirement and expectations of the local
industry / professional sector. The updating of curriculum needs to be a
constant feature in line with the advancements and development in that
particular engineering field. The engineering education system should be
demand driven market based system rather than supply driven system,
Fig.2. A supply driven system (unfortunately still followed at some places) is
one of the major causes of unemployment. The degrees and certification
must be industry oriented and professionally recognized
.

3.2 Industry
Industry need to play its effective role as they are the one to utilize the
product (graduates) of universities. Furthermore, both industry and
universities take advantage of joint research programs / projects. Input from
the industrial sector to be ongoing process to ensure the training needs of

industry be taken care off. Industry should seek greater involvement in

national education and training policymaking. Industry should be provided
representation on national education and training bodies, policy-making
bodies of engineering institutions. Interaction between industries and
engineering universities is vital for the successful and sustainable
development. Representatives from the industry are encouraged to have
input into curriculum development through an advisory committee.
3.3 Government
In most of the countries of Asia and Pacific, major national decisions on
education and training are made by the Government. The policies of the
government should be such which ensure that the education and training
system is demand driven and fulfill the changing needs of industry. In public
sector, the Government decides about the location of a technical
Institution and about the engineering fields / technologies going to be
offered. At the time of taking such decisions the surrounding industrial setup
should be the criteria. This will naturally help in establishing strong
partnership with industry and will provide improved employability. According
to Asian Development Bank ADB Education Policy Principles / Sub Sectors
Priorities Report, sometimes government provides supply-driven technical
and vocational programs at high unit cost and of such poor quality and
relevance that graduates do not gain in employability or productivity. The
region nevertheless contains good examples of clear and effective skill
development policies. For example, South Korea, Singapore, Taipei China
have ensured availability of needed skills within the framework of an
effective national skills development policy, linked to an economic
development strategy. Japan is another very good example (briefly given
separately).
3.4 MODES OF INTERACTIONS
To start with, both sides should look for creating modes of interactions. For
example, a study was conducted in 1988 by the author for getting the
comments of industries. The primary purpose of the study was to enlighten
and make the best use of observations / comments made by various
industries about the capability and competency of technical education passouts hired by them. The secondary purpose was to establish a channel of
interaction between the two sectors.
3.4.1 Starting the Interaction Process
The interaction process needs to begin by extending invitations to
industry representative like Managing Directors or General Managers of large
industrial units, owners of small / medium enterprises on opening and closing
sessions of training programs / courses at the institution / university so as to
begin the interaction process. (The author, while having the additional duties

of liaison with industry used to start the process in this way). By this the
industry can gather the information about the programs / research and
workshop / laboratory equipment at the university / institution and the
university faculty can get the information about the industry.
3.4.2 Medium Interaction
In order to have the knowledge about what is going on in the industry,
students need to
be placed at the relevant industry in the surrounding area for 4 to 8 weeks
duration. The industry supervisors should be requested to send a report
about the fulfillment of the training at the various sections of their industry.
It is not an easy proposition because in most of the cases the industry people
do not like to see untrained extra persons at their shop floors or near
manufacturing areas. (The author during negotiation meetings for placement
of trainees / students at the industry came across such views but sometimes
there happen to be genuine reasons behind such views)
Advanced Level of Interaction
For a constant and smooth linkage industrial sectors are planned quite near
or in close vicinity of engineering universities / institution. An advanced level
of linkage between universities and industry is the establishment of
Technology Parks for the economic growth and development. A technology
park can be defined as a property-based development having a high-quality
physical environment in a park like setting and located adjacent to or in a
reasonable distance from a technical university or research institute. The laid
down stress is on activities promoting the growth of research, technology,
commercialization
and
knowledge
based
enterprises.
Regarding
nomenclature, depending on affiliation and focus, it can be called a research
park or research-based industrial park or technology park. It may vary in size
from a few square km or large enough to become a technology city. The
relationship with a university research institute is considered a key aspect of
park planning and operation. Technology parks can play an important role in
capacity building in engineering and technology by brining together
manufacturing, high level training facilities, research, testing facilities,
business and finance in the same physical location.

4 FEASIBILITY REPORTS:
A feasibility report is an evaluation of a proposal designed to determine
the difficulty in carrying out a designated task. Generally, a feasibility study
precedes technical development and project implementation. In other words,
a feasibility study is an evaluation or analysis of the potential impact of a
proposed project.
Why do a feasibility study?

When faced with a business opportunity, many optimistic persons tend to

focus on its positive aspects. A feasibility study enables them to take a
realistic look at both the positive and negative aspects of the opportunity.
Five common factors of feasibility report
(1) Technology and system feasibility
The assessment is based on an outline design of system requirements in
terms of Input, Processes, Output, Fields, Programs, and Procedures. This
can be quantified in terms of volumes of data, trends, frequency of updating,
etc. in order to estimate whether the new system will perform adequately or
not. Technological feasibility is carried out to determine whether the
company has the capability, in terms of software, hardware, personnel and
expertise, to handle the completion of the project
(2)Economic feasibility
Economic analysis is the most frequently used method for evaluating the
effectiveness of a new system. More commonly known as cost/benefit
analysis, the procedure is to determine the benefits and savings that are
expected from a candidate system and compare them with costs. If benefits
outweigh costs, then the decision is made to design and implement the
system. An entrepreneur must accurately weigh the cost versus benefits
before taking an action.
Cost Based Study: It is important to identify cost and benefit factors, which
can be categorized as follows: 1. Development costs; and 2. Operating costs.
This is an analysis of the costs to be incurred in the system and the benefits
derivable out of the system.
Time Based Study: This is an analysis of the time required to achieve a
return on investments. the benefits derived from the system. The future
value of a project is also a factor.
(3)Legal feasibility
Determines whether the proposed system conflicts with legal requirements,
e.g. a data processing system must comply with the local Data Protection
Acts.
(4)Operational feasibility
Is a measure of how well a proposed system solves the problems, and takes
advantages of the opportunities identified during scope definition and how it
satisfies the requirements identified in the requirements analysis phase of
system development.
(5)Schedule feasibility
5

A project will fail if it takes too long to be completed before it is useful.

Typically this means estimating how long the system will take to develop,
and if it can be completed in a given time period using some methods like
payback period. Schedule feasibility is a measure of how reasonable the
project timetable is. Given our technical expertise, are the project deadlines
reasonable? Some projects are initiated with specific deadlines. You need to
determine whether the deadlines are mandatory or desirable..
Other Feasibility factors
(1)

Market and real estate feasibility

Market Feasibility Study typically involves testing geographic locations for a

real estate development project, and usually involves parcels of real estate
land. Developers often conduct market studies to determine the best
location within a jurisdiction, and to test alternative land uses for given
parcels. Jurisdictions often require developers to complete feasibility studies
before they will approve a permit application for retail, commercial,
industrial, manufacturing, housing, office or mixed-use project. Market
Feasibility takes into account the importance of the business in the selected
area.
(2)Resource feasibility
This involves questions such as how much time is available to build the new
system, when it can be built, whether it interferes with normal business
operations, type and amount of resources required, dependencies, etc.
Contingency and mitigation plans should also be stated here.
(3)Cultural feasibility
In this stage, the project's alternatives are evaluated for their impact on the
local and general culture. For example, environmental factors need to be
considered and these factors are to be well known. Further an enterprise's
own culture can clash with the results of the project.