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Mangaluru: Huge gap between what is taught and understood: Former IIT-M director at SJEC

  •   Thu, Feb 11 2016 11:50:15 PM

Pics: Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Feb 11: "Today there is is huge gap between what is taught and what is understood. The reason is that we have not given as much importance to our faculty and staff as we have for infrastructure and other aspects," said former chairman of AICTE and former director IIT Madras, Dr R Natarajan.

 

 

He was delivering the foundation day lecture for staff and students of St Joseph Engineering College (SJEC), commemorating the 14th foundation day of the College.

"Moreover, we have considered engineering as a corporate entity. If we nurture the faculty then we can produce graduates who can tackle problems and develop technology that are yet to be heard of," Dr Natarajan opined.

"Even after so many years of Indpendence, none of our colleges is recognized among the top 100 technical institutes in the world. The main reason for this is, education is the only sector that has not seen development due to liberalization.

"In one perspective, the reason for our institutes not figuring among the world's top 100 could be that our engineering and technical institutes have become teaching-only institutions and are not giving importance to research and development which is necessary for the academic growth of the institution and the students. Another reason for this can be the government and the people in higher positions of the education system.

"Four cases can be derived for an education system's functioning - One is good system and good people, second is bad system and bad people, third is bad system and good people and the fourth is good system and bad people. Due to the fourth case, the Indian education system is lagging behind," he added.

Director of the College Fr Joseph Lobo welcomed the gathering.

Assistant director of SJEC Fr Rohith D'Costa, principal of SJEC Dr Joseph Gonsalvis, vice-principal of SJEC Dr Rio D'Souza and others were present.
  

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Comment on this article

  • vnayak, mangalore/switzerland

    Fri, Feb 12 2016

    I do think that Teachers can take certain creative liberty even within a rigid outdated framework. But the teachers can not be blamed if the whole system itself archaic and obsolete in today's world. Especially,in science and technology the exams should only on solving problems which then excludes the need for mugging and encourages thinking and logic.Like in some western countries, the grades should be based 50% on projects and practicals done during the whole year and 50% on exams.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • VM, Moodbidri

    Fri, Feb 12 2016

    Sir, with all due respect to you & your caliber.
    I want to say this- Teaching is not everyone's cup of tea. In olden days teachers were called 'Guru'. There was lot of respect to a 'Guru'.
    But what has happened now??.. Due to commercialization of Education, quality has been decreased. Every XYZ wants to become a lecture, because they think it's a hassle free job. They don't know the principles of teaching still, they want to become lectures, professors etc..
    We can't blame them, because system is only like that. If you call for interview for 1 post 100 will come, out of that to choose one, is only a big task. So how can one get to know his background, does he knows principles of teaching, how can he communicate with students etc.
    What is the solution?? Only intelligent brains like you have to say this.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • RR_SJEC, Vamanjoor

    Fri, Feb 12 2016

    Yes. But how to end this by-hearting business... Students are determined to by-heart. Teachers are ONLY worried if students are NOT by-hearted the things. Students won't see one chapter is interesting and other not. They see the contents of whole book is same... Because they are STRONGLY determined to by-heart.

    In addition to that University and College rules to finish syllabus. Students never entrepreneur to see other disciplines book (in fact their books are heavy for them).

    The COOLIE attitude of management and students towards teachers put a closed lid on creativity of teachers. In fact many teachers fear to students and management.

    Students many a time dictate teachers about what they want. Strange !!!???

    Management want the growth of college but not the growth of employees... It is like parents want their children always to be their babies...

    Website has a flashing screen of placed students... No guarantee that they stay for an year there?

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robert Pais, Mangalore

    Fri, Feb 12 2016

    Many thanks to you for speaking out.

    You rightly said : [Yes. But how to end this by-hearting business.... Teachers are ONLY worried if students are NOT by-hearted ..........Students won't see one chapter is interesting a.....STRONGLY determined to by-heart].

    This is because the grade are determined by this criteria- that is information detainment and not using the information( applying) or grades are not given to analytical approach to that information given in the chapter.

    What I am talking is not Greek and Latin. It is what the leading Universities follow. Therefore unless you change the system of grading- to go towards grading based on understanding, there is no point in blaming any one. The fault is in the system and not with the students and least with the staff. So lets not point fingers.

    In addition to that University and College rules to finish syllabus. Students never entrepreneur to see other disciplines book (in fact their books are heavy for them).

    You said: [The COOLIE attitude of management and students towards teachers put a closed lid on creativity of teachers. In fact many teachers fear to students and management].

    At the end of the day, the management has to be proactive. How does a college management engage the students or its staff? Is it dictatorial or engaging and participatory leadership? Is there consensus built on major issues?

    Or is the management only focused on : metrics pertaining to the teaching staff? if so are these metrics the cause?

    Students many a time dictate teachers about what they want. Strange !!!???

    You say : [Management want the growth of college but not the growth of employees... It is like parents want their children always to be their babies...]

    This is most likely due to the management getting overwhelmed to handle too many pressures. Better leadership or leadership sharing is the key here.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • JD, mangalore

    Fri, Feb 12 2016

    We all have been grumbling about this, but who should bell the cat?
    Institutions are not able to push the teachers, teachers are unwilling to change their outlook, and humiliate those few who are willing to walk the other path, lazy parents are not willing to be imaginative, competitive parents still have their eyes on FIRST.

    This subject is restricted to talks, articles and lamentations. We talk about it when some international publications doesn't rank our institutes, or some of our Indians sparkle elsewhere. Otherwise, medical - engineering - research : all are plagued by 'copy as is from the text or from the hand-out notes, your creativity is not wanted here'.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robert Pais, Mangalore

    Fri, Feb 12 2016

    Dear Fr Joseph Lobo
    Congratulations for arranging for an eye opening talk.
    What measures can our institutions take to reach the goal( none of our colleges is recognized among the top 100 technical institutes in the world)?

    Faculty development is the key issue. As the speaker has rightly pointed out that R&D with relevance taken up by the faculty ensures that they do not end up being the mere instruments of instruction.

    Imparting quality education therefore begins with allocating resources to faculty research and development.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santhosh, Bantwal

    Fri, Feb 12 2016

    Sir, You are absolutely right. Take any board, Management, Teachers are just pushing children to mug up. Once education was service, sharing knowledge. But now only Business.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prakash Lewis, Brahmavar/Dubai

    Fri, Feb 12 2016

    Good system and bad people well said. If our current HRD minister itself taken fake certificate then what people can expect from government to change Education system?

    DisAgree [5] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse


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