HOTWIRING A CAREER IN ENGINEERING

Dean, Academic Affairs Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

One of the main goals of engineering education is to train individuals to deliver designs that are socially relevant. Modern design is highly inter-disciplinary, supported by strong analysis and mostly involves team effort. A good engineering curriculum for an undergraduate program is fairly broad based.

In fact, the content that is specific to a certain discipline/department is usually no more than 35 to 50 percent of the the total number of credits required for completing an undergraduate program. The curriculum includes generous proportion of courses on engineering and basic science, technical arts, humanities and social sciences, management and overall synthesis and design.

Some examples of the various types of courses are: engineering science —fluid/solid mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical/material/earth/computer science; basic science — physical/mathematical/chemical/life science; technical arts: engineering drawing and visualisation, manufacturing/electrical laboratory.

Students should not get swayed by the popular courses and stick to what they want to doThe choice of a course solely depends on the preference and the liking of the student. A good programme has enough flexibility for the student to take a reasonably large number of electives in inter-disciplinary areas. Super specialisation in a particular discipline is usually accomplished through a masters program via more courses and project/research work.

It should be emphasised that learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom. Students internalise values from their teachers and peers. The four pillars on which excellence in engineering education rests are (a) high quality and experienced faculty (b) highly motivated students with good aptitude for learning and application (c) good infrastructure, including well equipped laboratories with skilled and motivated staff and (d) a vibrant environment that fosters open interaction amongst all.

The choice of a good engineering institute is far more important than that of a department. Placement for a student who does well in a program should not be a problem in today’s inter-disciplinary world; an aerospace company certainly needs good material scientists and a steel company, similarly, can absorb aerospace engineers who have a good background in fluid mechanics.

A good university offers immense diversity and exposes one to great minds (teachers as well as peers). Successful completion of the programme opens gateways to higher education, entrepreneurship and employment in organisations that are looking for professionals with a difference.