KOTTAYAM:Adding a new chapter in the professional and technical education, the Mahatma Gandhi University has restructured its engineering syllabus.
University Vice-Chancellor Dr Babu Sebastian on Friday has issued an order in this regard on the basis of the recommendations submitted by an expert committee chaired by educationalist Dr S Radhakrishnan.
Apart from introducing minor programmes in engineering along with the BTech courses, university has also cleared the restructuring proposal for the cutting edge schemes and syllabus of the B.Tech programmes, which include reduction in total credits, open book examination, inbuilt skill development programme, fusion of theory with practicals and mandatory industrial project.
The changes will come into effect in the academic year 2015-16. The expert committee, chaired by Dr S Radhakrishnan, includes eminent personalities from academics, industries and research.
The proposed minor programmes will help students of Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Information Technology and Polymer Engineering acquire an additional minor degree in any of the other four branches or in management by studying additional five subjects in the area of the minor.
The initiative is intended to enhance the quality of engineering education as well as the employability of engineering graduates.
The open book examination will, however, be introduced in the first year of Engineering Graphics on an experimental basis, which sometimes be extended to more courses if found worthy, the reports said.
However, the College of Engineering, Thodupuzha, will be credited as the second to IITs for introducing minor degree programmes in engineering in the country.
The university is also planning to set up a Technology Incubation Centre to promote creativity and entrepreneurial skills in the students.