A Lesson from IIT | How General Engineering can transform India’s workforce, bring more opportunities

For example, mechanical engineers must now be familiar with electrical engineering and computer science, while computer science graduates can benefit from understanding mechanical and civil engineering concepts.

Keeping educational curricula current with rapid technological advancements and changing industry trends presents a formidable challenge for educational institutions. Striking a balance between traditional foundational courses and advanced, cutting-edge topics is critical but difficult to achieve. Countries such as South Korea have set a precedent by constantly updating their Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) curricula to reflect the changing needs of the industry. As one of the world’s largest producers of engineering graduates, India can learn from this approach to keep its engineering curriculum relevant and forward-thinking.

Introducing the concept of General Engineering could be game-changing. General Engineering is an interdisciplinary programme that provides students with an overview of various engineering disciplines before allowing them to specialize in one. During the first two years of their programme, this approach gives students a thorough understanding of various engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, civil, data science, and computer science.

The goal is to provide students with a broad skill set that can be applied across multiple domains.

Students should have plenty of opportunities to pursue their interests during their first two years. Organising visits to various industrial settings can help them understand how theoretical knowledge is applied in real-world situations. These experiences can motivate students and help them discover their areas of interest.

After the exploratory phase, students can select their specialisations. The curriculum should be designed so that students can learn about current industry developments and trends in real time. Following their specialisation decision, students should spend a year working for either the institute or a company in their chosen field. This hands-on experience, led by experts, will prepare them for the unique demands of their future careers. The involvement of experts and industry will undoubtedly benefit from the course design for specific needs.

If a student wants to pursue entrepreneurship, we should provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge during their education. This interdisciplinary training, combined with focused specialisation training, is especially important in today’s rapidly changing technological landscape, where the boundaries between various engineering disciplines are becoming increasingly blurred. The students also have the possibility of having career options that are unorthodox, including creative art, fashion technology, animation, etc.

India faces numerous challenges, which can also be viewed as opportunities, particularly in the manufacturing industry, automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics are critical, particularly among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME). Given the Indian market’s emphasis on value for money, developing cost-effective products and solutions tailored to this market can open up new opportunities for global marketing and distribution.

Preparing students for specialised jobs before graduation can result in better job offers and greater job satisfaction. Companies benefit from hiring graduates who are already trained and prepared to contribute effectively from the start. This model provides a win-win situation for employers and employees.

The disparity between unemployment rates and industry demand is a complex problem that necessitates novel solutions. Educational institutions can better prepare students for the changing job market by implementing a General Engineering curriculum that combines foundational interdisciplinary knowledge with specialised, hands-on training. This approach not only improves employability but also meets the dynamic needs of modern industries, resulting in economic growth and development.

Students could choose General Engineering as it provides a broad, interdisciplinary foundation that prepares them for a variety of roles in the engineering sectors. Furthermore, the programmes comprehensive approach allows students to explore various fields before specialising, ensuring that they make informed career choices. General Engineering significantly improves students’ future career prospects by providing them with critical problem-solving skills and preparing them for leadership roles, thereby opening up broader career opportunities and laying a solid foundation for advanced studies or further specialisation.

(The author is the Faculty Coordinator, General Engineering Program, IIT Mandi)