THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The convocation of the state’s first Advanced Diploma in Automotive Mechatronics (ADAM) was held at Government Engineering College, Barton Hill on Friday.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, conferring the diploma on 20 participants of the course, suggested that at least some of the diploma holders should start their own businesses and through their startups contribute to the nation.
Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb chose the merit evening to declare another first for the college - an M Tech in Translational Engineering.
He said, ‘’A new venture of the state government, which is to take off this year from this institution is MTech in Translational Engineering, which is offered in collaboration with three premier institutions - University of Montreal, Columbia University and IIT Madras. Translational Engineering course is meant for translating research into applications and creating socially-responsible engineers. It is the first time, anywhere in India that such a course is being offered.’’ The ADAM course, a joint venture of the State Government with Mercedes Benz, was to train 20 students in cutting-edge vehicular technology. The course is a product of the Emerging Kerala project.
College Principal B Anil said that the car manufacturing giant took the college faculty to Germany for training. The course was designed based on the German system of education, which gives as much importance to hands-on training as to theory, he said.
Despite being a hub of educational activities, the college has several woes.
In order to accommodate new courses and answer some of the limitations, the college is contemplating to construct a new building which is estimated to cost Rs 32 crore, the Principal said. A letter seeking permission for the same was submitted to the Chief Minister by K Muraleedharan MLA on the evening.
Consulate General for Germany in Bengaluru Jorn Rohde, KSCSTE Executive VP Suresh Das and Director of Technical Education K Vijayakumar were present.