CHENNAI: In a bid to expose students to real-time developments and technological needs of the industry, the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras has partnered with the European Union for a novel concept in technical education for developing countries called ‘Dual Education’.
This concept merges classroom learning with industrial experience and allows students undergoing internships to spend considerable time in industries as full-time workers. Usually in internship, students tend to work in industries as part-time workers as part of their curriculum.
TEEDE (Towards Excellence in Engineering Curricula in Dual Education) is a consortium, funded by the European Union and Erasmus+, of eminent universities in Europe and Asia. The consortium is working to take this novel model of technical education to the developing countries. It has selected Rajesh Nair, associate professor in Petroleum Engineering, Department of Ocean Engineering, to be the project coordinator at the IIT-Madras.
A three-day brainstorming was held at the institute from November 30 with delegates from India, Russia, Europe and Asia taking part in it.
Professor R Nagarajan, Dean of International and Alumni Affairs, said internationalisation and industry relations are the two biggest priorities of the IIT- Madras and this initiative brings these two in the most effective way. “We are proud of partnering with EU in this pioneering effort,” he said.
The partners of this TEEDE consortium are various eminent universities from Russia, Italy, Cambodia, Germany, India, China, Finland, Belgium and Spain. The expected outcome would be an upgraded curriculum in engineering education in developing countries based on the economic needs of respective countries.
Professor Rajesh Nair said that ‘Dual Education’ narrows the gap between industry requirement and curriculum.
“As an example for doctoral research programme, there will be two guides - one for industry and another for academia. The purpose of the TEEDE is to add industrial component to the curriculum, thereby upgrading it, improving employability, ensuing career enhancement and giving a professional edge,” he said.
Dual education
This concept merges classroom learning with industrial experience and allows students undergoing internships to spend considerable time in industries as full-time workers.