Rows of broken benches along the corridor, and handlooms and power looms in a state of despair inside the laboratory… This is the dismal picture that greets one at the Textile Department in Krishnarajendra Silver Jubilee Technical Institute in the city.
Founded in 1938, the institute was quite the pride of the nation once, the first in the country to offer courses ranging from diploma to Ph.D in Textile Engineering. Computer Science, Electronics and Communication and Civil Engineering courses were added long after in 2007.
The faculty at the department say none of the machinery has been working since at least two years. “These machines were purchased before 1950 and are of no use because they require lakhs of rupees for electricity if run,” said a teacher, on condition of anonymity.
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Tenders to procure machinery were invited in 2013, but did not materialise following “technical difficulties”, informed college authorities. “We are trying to fix one of the power looms ourselves because we need to have hands-on experience on how these machines function,” said a student. He added that they were at a distinct advantage with no real experience when they go into the industry to work. To make matters worse, the department is facing staff shortage. “Out of six teachers, five are set to retire in 2016. Recruitment has not been happening at the required pace,” said another professor of the department.