Upgrade Engg college at AU and OU to IIEST ?

ved · Telugu Veera Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 2024

There is more movement on this issue in the last fortnight as we are getting closer to upgrading engineering colleges at both Andhra and Osmania Universities to central university status under the banner of Indian Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology (IIEST). They will be governed by a board of directors very similar to that of IIT. Each University will be given Rs 410 crores for the period 2007-2012 for the upliftment of their infrastructure.

The five universities are:
Cochin University of Science and Technology
Bengal Engineering and Science University
Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University
Andhra University, College of Engineering
Osmania University College of Engineering and University College of Technology.

Here are some problematic issues for some. The degree offered will be 5 year integrated degree, instead of 4 year degree, although it gives both B.Tech and M.Tech. There will also be integrated 5 year Msc degree, and a 2 year M.Tech degree for students coming from other engineering colleges. Most importantly, the admissions will be done on all-india basis with an entrance test either using the same JEE or AIEEE or a new exam in the same lines. The current 4 year degree will be discontinued when the last batch (the one joined this year) passes out. The main emphasis of education would be research. Finally, all the local engineering colleges that come under these universities need to find new affiliate.

The argument against this upgrade is that local students will lose the opportunity as the admissions are opened on all India basis. Most of the resistance is coming from Cochin and Osmania university. I don't know the position of Andhra University and haven't heard much from them. Most likely, to avoid political problems, they will make it optional for these universities to join IIEST or not.

Since both OU and AU belong to our state, and both offer high quality engineering education to students of this state, what shall we do?. Are you worried that our students will be left out? Are you worried that once they are upgraded to IIEST status, our demand for own IIT will be forgotten forever?

ved · Telugu Veera Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 2024

Looks like Cochin University may be out. They gave 'yes-no' answer to MHRD proposal. They want to convert to IIEST but they don't want selection of studnets to be nation wide. They also want more control of the governing body than rest of the 4 universities. I would say they are crazy.

Out of Rs 2047 crores earmarked for these universitities in the 11th planning period of 2007-2012, I don't know how they allocated Rs 545 crores each for Bengal and Cochin universities but only Rs 410 crores each for Andhra and Osmania Universities. Any idea?

ved · Telugu Veera Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 2024

Though I like the concept of IIEST, I don’t like the idea of some pre-engineering student making decision on his masters degree after his/her 10+2 level education. Instead I suggest all the candidates to be admitted in 5 year course as planned and during different stages of the course they branch into specialized areas that interest them with merit as criteria.

For instance during first year they all study same subjects: Engineering maths, Drawing (this is another controversial subject), Engg Physics , Engg Chemistry , Basic electronics, some computer programming etc. After first year, they can branch into two categories. Electrical & Electronics related, and other non-electronics. After second year, they can branch into more specialization. Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Computer engg, Chemical Engg etc. After 3rd year or so branch into Mech_Marine, Naval architecture, Industrial engg, Production engg, Operations Research, Computer architecture, Network Engg , Computer science, Metallurgy , Process engg, Material science etc. Or after second year, they can make it like US system where anybody can take any subject for next 3 years and fulfill the requirements of master degree.

This will also ensure lot of competition and interest in early stages of engineering as their performance in each year decides what they can take in subsequent years.

andhrapradesh_discussions · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 11

[quote="ved"]Though I like the concept of IIEST, I don’t like the idea of some pre-engineering student making decision on his masters degree after his/her 10+2 level education. Instead I suggest all the candidates to be admitted in 5 year course as planned and during different stages of the course they branch into specialized areas that interest them with merit as criteria.

For instance during first year they all study same subjects: Engineering maths, Drawing (this is another controversial subject), Engg Physics , Engg Chemistry , Basic electronics, some computer programming etc. After first year, they can branch into two categories. Electrical & Electronics related, and other non-electronics. After second year, they can branch into more specialization. Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Computer engg, Chemical Engg etc. After 3rd year or so branch into Mech_Marine, Naval architecture, Industrial engg, Production engg, Operations Research, Computer architecture, Network Engg , Computer science, Metallurgy , Process engg, Material science etc. Or after second year, they can make it like US system where anybody can take any subject for next 3 years and fulfill the requirements of master degree.

This will also ensure lot of competition and interest in early stages of engineering as their performance in each year decides what they can take in subsequent years.[/quote]

I like your idea.
Honestly I would like to know the following.
Do we really have the infrastructure to upgrade these colleges to IIESTs?. Do you think our governments will be able to provide the necessary infrastructure? Do you think these institutes carry the same brand name like IITs?

But of course, it is boon to some of the guys like me who could not get into IITs or IISC.