Enriching NIT System of Education through the Ideals

of Swami Vivekananda

Dr. Prakash Bhadury

Lecturer, NIT, Hamirpur

Abstract of the Project • All the RECs converted into NITs Since 2002 by the HRD ministry for

augmenting skilled technical manpower in the country, similar to those of the IITs.

• These institutes are expected to be trend setters and be able to lead the country forward. TEQIP grant is directed to enhance the quality research and development, yet fewer are the benchmarks made so far in terms of patenting and meeting the challenges of the time.

• Despite various studies – suggestions for enrichment in all our education system in general.

• This NIT would be a sample of study through the lens of Swami Vivekananda’s ideals, which is constructive, practical and comprehensive. Swamiji attempted-man- making and he prepares the scheme of this mission through over-all philosophy of Vedanta.

• Hence, a comprehensive study of the ideals of Swamiji would be made to suggest a viable model of NIT education.

Brief outline of objective

• Following the needs of the time in the back drop of recent economic crises, rampant corruption and new challenges and responsibilities for technology before the country, the present project would study what ails the system of education in general and NITs in particular & what still could be done to enrich.

• The case of this NIT would be taken as a sample structure in analyzing different facets of technical education toward quality improvement.

• NITs have to be a strategic industry for the sustainability of national growth and development at par with the global standard and the national exchequer spent for it must be worthy of right investment.

Significance of Project

•Knowledge -an all encompassing phenomenon is a big paradigm for the 21st century. Hence the NITs, yet we haven’t risen to the cherished goal even though we do not have any dearth of talent, or the funding.

• Vivekananda -endeavoured not only to unite the East and the West, but also to re-awaken his mother land through education.

• He states -if society is to be reformed, education has to reach everyone-high and low, as individuals are the very constituents of society.

•The study would serve as a flag ship to guide education system as more responsive and value based through the ideals of Swamiji. Further, if the state of Chicago can adopt curriculum on his teaching, we cannot be far behind.

•This project work would be extended further as my post doctoral work in near future as a comprehensive document of a voice of everlasting integration amid perpetual variations

Review of Literature

• In the centenary lecture Swami Nikhilananda, spelt - until Indians adopt Vedanta philosophy to everyday life we cannot progress toward greater world order. Belur Math- into a complete university where Western science and Eastern mysticism would be studied.

• philosophical truth enhances our power of perception & total development of human personality –to be integrated with science.

• The NKC examining some of the constraints , problems and challenges relating to curriculum, teaching, infrastructure, administration and access, Innovative means of raising standards and promoting excellence in technical education.

• How does it relate to the man-making through a fusion of science and humanities through the ideals of Vivekananda.

• He draws our attention- teacher is only facilitator to manifest knowledge by removing the obstacles in its way.

Swamiji recommends the old institution of gurukula (living with the preceptor) and similar systems for the purpose. In such systems, the students can have the ideal character of the teacher constantly before them, which serves as the role model to follow. Unfortunately, in the present day teacher –student interaction has remained only in formal setting.

In a recent orientation course on the status of higher education in the university of Madras its attempted to acquaint teachers and students in universities and colleges with the thoughts and actions of great thinkers and social leaders and to involve them in research studies so that the ‘society is reconstructed based on moral, ethical and spiritual foundations necessary for a non-violent social order.

One of the pressing needs-to increase the participation of women in higher education management including in faculty, administration and staff for better gender balance, to sensitize the higher education system through policies and procedures which recognize gender equity. currently about 23 per cent girls as against 77 per cent of boys get admission to Engineering (?)

Relevance and Value Based Education as Area Studies Programme is set up to promote holistic understanding of education with its cultural, social, economic and strategic specificities.

The study will be exploratory and comparative in nature. The study will focus on exploring the reasons behind the inefficiency of prevailing education system in NITs. Further a contrast will be made on the basis of comparative analysis of prevailing education system in NITs and institutes offering/adopting Vedic method.

On the basis of this exploratory and comparative analysis, a vision document would be provided for making the education system of NITs more efficient and effective.

Research Design

Teacher-Student

relationship

Teaching Pedagogy

Vedic Teaching

Employability

Morality & Ethical

behavior

Balance between East-west

R&D activities

Education is not information, it is man-making& character building .An education system is ideal if it has (1) the content, (2) the ad ministration, (3) the scope and (4) the method of education

Sub parameters for Teacher-Student relations:•Structure and composition of tutorial classes•Flexibility in timings•Mentoring of students, Interaction, workshop practices

Sub parameters for teaching pedagogy:•Continuous industry academia interface for designing syllabus ,enhancing practical knowledge& employability•Interactive and participative teaching•Use of technology in teaching

Sub parameters for R&D activities:Administration& scope of R& D activity•Methods of Research leading to patents•Quality research•Funding of projects

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