Summary
Pradhan focused on the benefits of providing engineering education in local languages in his address during the valedictory session of the 36th Indian Engineering Congress
The NEP 2020 stresses that programmes be offered bilingually in higher education institutions for better understanding of subjects
Engineering education in local languages will prove to be an instrument of empowerment and further strengthen the engineering prowess of the country’s youth, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on December 27 while addressing the valedictory session of the 36th Indian Engineering Congress (IEC).
Pradhan asserted that engineering education must not be restricted to only awarding of degrees. He said that institutions have to work collectively towards overcoming the language barriers in the learning system and expanding the capacity of the country’s engineering community.
With the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the government is integrating education with skills, taking a multidisciplinary approach and making skilling a part of the curriculum to make the youth job-ready.
The NEP 2020 suggests the use of local languages by higher education institutions for imparting lessons. It also stresses that programmes be offered bilingually for better understanding of subjects and promotion of Indian languages.
The 36th IEC was organised by the Institution of Engineers India (IEI). Addressing the event, the two-time Union minister said that endeavours must be made in further strengthening India’s engineering capacity through innovation, knowledge exchange by its members and creating newer paradigms of entrepreneurship and employability.
Speaking about Indian scientific temper and robust engineering capabilities, Pradhan said that Indian history has scientific evidence of structural engineering, water management, maritime engineering and more.
The theme for this year’s IEC was ‘Engineers for Viable Technology and the USD 5 trillion Economy’. The conference was inaugurated by Union minister of heavy industries Mahendra Nath Pandey, the chief guest for the conference, on December 26 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
The event witnessed the presence of Narendra Singh, president, IEI; H O Thakare, president Elect, IEI; Dinesh Kumar, chairman, Organising Committee and chairman, Delhi State Centre of IEI and Major General MJS Syali, VSM (Retd), secretary and director general.
The inaugural function was also attended by former presidents of IEI, council and corporate members, delegation from industries, awardees, engineering professionals, academicians, research scholars and representatives from the engineering fraternity.
Last updated on 28 Dec 2021
