Dr. Kulendu Pathak*
It is nice to be associated with the celebration of Foundation day of a famous and well known institution like Assam Engineering Institute (AEI). It has produced a large number of technical persons who have contributed to the development of this region. I hope that AEI will contribute meaningfully in future, to rapid development of our state and the region through the training of manpower needed for future and through research and development.
The world, as a whole, is passing through Fourth Industrial Revolution and revolutionary impact of the rapid changes cannot be ignored. Traditional training and teaching procedures will have to be modified. The world is using and will use more Robots and Systems with a Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the manpower and skills of yester-years will be less than adequate to meet the challenges of the future.
In fact, not only Technical Education but also entire field of Education will have to undergo revolutionary changes, if these fields want to fulfil the manpower need far the future. The world Economic Forum in 2017 discussed these matters and published a list of skills and qualities to be acquired by a properly trained manpower. Some of the skills needed in near future (2020) are enlisted (in order of priorities) below:
1. Complex Problem Solving
2. Critical Thinking
3. Creativity
4. Management of people
5. Coordinating with others
6. Emotional Intelligence
7. Judgement and Decision making
8. Service Orientation
9. Negotiations
10. Cognitive Flexibility
Since I have very limited knowledge about the courses of studies in AEI, I cannot comment on the actual teaching learning process in AEI. However the 4IR (4th Industrial Revolution) needs more adaptability and emphasis in self directed learning and thinking. In present day environment, no body should think that the knowledge and skill acquired in a college/institute will be adequate the meet the challenges of the work place. So he/she should be ready to update his/her skill, knowledge and techniques. Within CTE (Career and Technical Education), new methodologies should be developed to prepare the students to respond to the increasing complexity and volatility in work place due to rapid change of technologies and procedures.
Students of today, should be aware of what is happening today and how almost everything is going to change in near future (say by 2030). I refer to an excellent article by Klous Schwab (Founder and Chairman, World Economic Forum) titled ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution : What it means, how to respond (available in net).
I conclude this small note with a quote:
“ The exact impact of 4IR technologies on society and planet is still unknown but the fact that they will bring profound and rapid change seems certain. The need for higher education to respond (to change) is urgent…..
Substantial changes to science and technology curriculum will be required to allow students to develop capacity in rapidly emerging areas (AI, robotics, genomics, data Science etc)….
Any educational plan for the 4IR must be build upon the result of Third Industrial Revolution…… with development of hybrid online and in person instructions, global video conferencing and a wide array of asynchronous educational resources [see- MIT introductory Electrical Engineering Course, where course material is delivered entirely online with in person component focusing on laboratory”]- B.E. Penprase.
I hope the faculty and student community of AEI will study and think over the points mentioned here and work on redesigning the courses, so that the graduates can meet the challenges of the future.
With best wishes.
*Retired Professor Cotton College and Ex-Vice Chancellor, Dibrugarh University