Punjab News: With the aim of making Punjab the number-1 state in the country in the field of technical education, the state government has taken steps towards strengthening partnerships between industries and educational institutions. Regional Industry-Academia Conference was organized by Punjab State Board of Technical Education and Industrial Training (PSBTEIT). Representatives from leading companies and technical institutes from various sectors participated and discussed various issues including curriculum, training, internship, placement and modern laboratories.
Punjab moved from 27th to third place
Minister of Education Harjot Singh Bains Said that Punjab has moved from 27th position in the country to 3rd position in technical education and now the government aims to make the state number-1. He said that the aim of the government is to create such a technical education system where youth can get employment opportunities after completing their studies from institutions.
The Minister said that for a long time there has been a gap in the education system between bookish knowledge and necessary practical skills. The government is now establishing strong links between class and industry to bridge this gap.
ITI and polytechnic institutes will be upgraded
Harjot Singh Bains said that government ITI and polytechnic institutes are being converted into employment-oriented and innovation-based institutes as per the needs of the industries. The students will be trained through modern machinery and technologies, so that their skills are in line with the needs of the changing industrial sector.
A semester-long internship has been made mandatory for students in diploma courses. At the same time, more than 40 hours of training every year has also been made mandatory for the faculty. Polytechnic institutions are being upgraded through Centers of Excellence, modern machinery and innovation labs.
Innovation Lab started in five polytechnics
The minister said that Khunimajra, Bathinda, Firozpur, Badbar and Talwara State-of-the-art Innovation Labs have been inaugurated in five government polytechnic institutes located there. In these labs, students will have the opportunity to create prototypes and work on solving real problems.
Additional Chief Secretary of Technical Education and Industrial Training Vikas Pratap informed that 34 printers with modern machinery have been installed in these five labs. He said that the Industry-Academia Conference is not being seen as a one-time event, but as the beginning of an ongoing partnership.
Training to officers-faculty in IIM and IIT
Principals and senior officials of polytechnic institutions on behalf of the government IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Amritsar Training is being given in. And for the faculty IIT Ropar, IISER and NIFT Development programs are being organized in. Emphasis is also being laid on gaining industrial experience in companies like Tata Steel.
Focus on employment with participation of industries
PSBTEIT Chairman Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Kansal said that the objective of the conference is to make technical education more practical and in line with the needs of the industries. Topics like internship, placement, changes in curriculum, modernization of laboratories and contribution in training of industry experts were discussed.
Companies from manufacturing, automobile, pharmaceutical, renewable energy, electronics, IT, steel and engineering sectors participated in the conference. Godrej & Boyce, Hartek Power, Tyner Orthotics, Gaillard Electronics, Tata Electronics, Cheema Boilers, Hella India Lighting and Akzo Nobel/JSW Dulux. Representatives of many companies participated in the discussion.
The focus of the government is now on continuously connecting government technical institutions with industries, imparting modern skills to students and preparing them for employment and entrepreneurship.