Quality of engineers very sub-standard in India: Sreedharan

Ahmedabad, Sept 1 (PTI) ‘Metro man’ E Sreedharan todayrued that engineering institutes in the country are producingengineers of "very sub-standard" quality while underlining theparadox wherein IITians are heading to foreign countries forhigher studies or better employment. Addressing a gathering here, Sreedharan appealed tothe engineers to get a "different orientation, standard andmission for handling various infrastructure projects for whichPrime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of (Rs) 5trillion." "In our country, engineers are not able to come upvery fast. We (engineers) are not taking enough efforts tokeep ourselves up-to-date. Engineering colleges or institutesthat we have in the country, according to me, are producingvery sub-standard quality of engineers," said Sreedharan, aPadma Vibhusan awardee credited for successfully steeringchallenging projects like Konkan rail and Delhi Metro. He was speaking at U N Mahida memorial lecture on thetopic of "professional ethics and role of engineers,"organised by the state chapter of the Institution of Engineers(India). Sreedharan referred to a study conducted by a magazinewhich surveyed some 300 engineering colleges to conclude thatonly 29 per cent engineers are employable, while 30 per centcan be made employable after further studies, whereas 48 percent are simply not employable. "This is the standard of education that we are gettingin this country. Is that enough? In engineering profession,knowledge is the most important thing. You will have to beexpert. Knowledge has to be practical-oriented," he said. Highlighting the paradox, Sreedharan said while mostengineering colleges are producing sub-standard graduates,the "best engineers" or those coming out of the IITs and NITsare leaving the country for better opportunities abroad. "What I find is that, in this country, the bestengineers or those coming out of IITs and NITs straightawaymake a beeline to foreign countries for higher studies orbetter employment. Many even join IT or management degree,"the retired Indian Engineering Service officer said. He also expressed doubt if engineers showed anyobligation by completing works on time and within estimatedcost. "The country needs very learned engineers. PrimeMinister declared that he has set a target of Rs 5 trillionfor infrastructure projects. If these projects are to behandled, the team of engineers in the country will have tohave a different orientation and standard with a differentmission," he added. (More) PTI KA PD NSK MNGBAS