MADURAI: For those who are blaming the students of engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu for their average or poor performance, here is a shocking or a breaking news.
The problem does not lie with the engineering student. It is the teacher who is found wanting in terms of subject knowledge, updated technology and the ability to teach in classrooms. So, it is becoming an alert to the Anna University, Directorate of Technical Education, Higher Education Department and all those who are connected to engineering education in Tamil Nadu.
“It is true that many students are not focused on subject and learning. But it is equally true that atleast 75 per cent of teaching faculty in engineering colleges in our State are not updated with their subject and poor in teaching ability in a classroom. So, the basic correction must begin from those who are teaching in engineering colleges,” Dr.K.Arulmozhi, Principal, Sree Sowdambika College of Engineering at Aruppukottai in Virudhunagar district, has said today- on 18th July 2020. This problem does not arise with reputed branded engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu where most of the faculty are well trained and updated.
He had pointed out that most of the teaching faculty in engineering colleges, especially in semi-urban and rural areas- are needed continuous faculty development programs because only then the technology transfer from teacher to student can take place.
The lacunae among teaching staff was taken to the attention of State government, Anna University VCs and Directorate of Technical Education for a quick intervention. “Most of the faculty in engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu are with half baked knowledge. They are not updated. Then, how can we expect our students to do well?,” Dr.Arulmozhi has asked.
He has raised the issue in many forums and engineering education meetings but is still waiting for a corrective surgery. “Teachers need to be given indepth training till they get thorough with that particular subject. Engineering college managements are ready to spend money, but who will teach the teachers,” he questioned.
Dr.Arulmozhi has said that the situation of students is pathetic because they are managing with poor teachers who are not given hands-on training experience in latest engineering topics. “When the associate professors or professors of engineering colleges are not fit to teach, is it fair to question or blame our students?. So, start from the level of teachers and only Anna University must start this,” he observed.