Studying To Build: How Students Are Now Making Missile Components, EVs, & Transformers In University Labs
Universities must create setups that will enable students to learn industry-specific skills as students study over the years.
By Prof. Supriya Pattanayak
The past decade has seen a landmark shift in the Indian education system. From exams testing memorisation skills to testing application skills of students, we have come a long way. But in this transformation, the process of imparting education has changed. Today, teachers focus equally on theoretical as well as practical lessons.
This has been possible due to the National Education Policy 2020, which promotes hands-on, skill-based learning so that students passing out of universities are job-ready, with better career prospects and professional credibility.
How Has Skill-Integrated Education Evolved?
Skill-integrated education has also evolved over the years. Till some time ago, students were learning computer languages, designing, carpentry, and electrical work; today, students are making missile components, electric vehicles, and transformers in their university labs. From honing skills to preparing students to build, education has come a long way.
Live Action Labs in universities, working as industry units within the campus, can earn revenue in crores, further motivating the teachers and students. These manufacturing units enable students to experiment, research, and learn from industry experts at a time when they are pursuing their education at universities. The theory lessons learnt during classes can be imbibed as they practically try out the application of the lessons.
This way, students can imbibe the requisite skills for anything, from manufacturing pens to dresses to recycling waste paper or plastic to making missile components, EVs, and even transformers.
Here, students of engineering, management, graphic design, and website development, as well as those who can handle various departments, can come together to make it a success.
Backing Students’ Efforts
One may wonder, what can be done with the products thus created by students? Well, when they are backed by research and guided by industry experts and teachers, the possibility of failure is next to zero. Universities that have manufacturing units have shown a great success rate, as the defect rate is low.
For missile components, ISRO, HAL, and DRDO can be great partners, while transformers can be manufactured in partnership with various industries as they are required. E-vehicles have also found a wide usage, as they can easily be sold B2B to hospitals, municipal corporations, golf clubs, etc. Odisha Municipal Corporation uses refrigerated electric vehicles for the transportation of dairy products, since they can be customised as per need.
When it comes to innovation in technology, smart agriculture is one area that needs focus. There is a lot of potential here, as students can create drones and smart polyhouses that can bring the next big revolution. While students can learn on the go, the alumni, too, can be involved in this as they bring back the industry exposure.
Moreover, each student gets a certificate from the National Skills Qualification Framework. This will enable students to have better credibility when they apply for a job.
Such universities become soft launchpads for students who would want to start their own enterprises after learning from them. Therefore, students end up becoming job providers as they gain the skills required for entrepreneurship instead of becoming job seekers.
Importance Of Industry-Specific Skills
Ultimately, universities must create setups that will enable students to learn industry-specific skills as students study over the years. There are only a handful of universities providing skill-integrated education, and there is a lot of scope for others to learn.
Making such a university requires immense funds and guidance; thus, universities must collaborate to help each other for the benefit of the students. Then only can we truly give our students wings to soar higher.
(The author is the Vice Chancellor, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha)
Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP Network Pvt. Ltd.
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