The dearth of practical knowledge among engineering graduates is often cited as a lacuna in the State’s engineering pedagogy.
The Translational Research and Professional Leadership Centre (TPLC), a one-of-a-kind interdisciplinary facility at the Government Engineering College, Barton Hill, here, aims at addressing the shortcoming through its ‘lab to field’ concept. Since its inception in 2015, the TPLC has been conducting a Masters programme in Translational Engineering. The curriculum follows a project-based learning mode in which the course is not just confined to classroom education, but also extended to a number of socially relevant projects.
Within a short period, the centre has bagged many State government-funded projects. It has been roped in as the technical consultant for the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)-funded ₹128.68-crore Akkulam lake rejuvenation project.
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TPLC coordinator Suja R., an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, says the teachers and students, along with experts of subject areas, joined hands to evolve a sustainable, economical and environment-friendly framework for reviving the lake.
“The students get to learn and gain exposure through such live projects, thereby enhancing their employability. We hope to enable them to earn while they learn,” she said.
The centre is also involved in projects such as rejuvenation of Vellayani lake and Amayizhanjan canal, Nellikuzhy bridge construction, hydraulic studies of a canal in Kovalam, preservation of a minor stream in Kattakada and a study of the Padmatheertham pond.
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A brainchild of former Chief Secretary K.M. Abraham, the M.Tech. programme has its curriculum designed by experts from premier institutions including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Columbia University and the University of Montreal, besides practising engineers and policy makers. Another highlight is the internship programme through a student exchange collaboration with the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), the largest and oldest public technological varsity in the Netherlands, IIT Bombay, and IIT Madras.
The centre has also entered into collaborations with agencies including Central government-undertaking WAPCOS Ltd. for river rejuvenation, decentralised waste-water treatment, and integration technologies.
Applications invited
The Government Engineering College, Barton Hill, has invited applications for its interdisciplinary M.Tech. programme in Translational Engineering. The deadline for submission of application forms is July 22. The two-year course, which has an intake of 18 seats, involves mandatory internship and participation in social responsibility camps.