There’s been an on-and-off debate around employability of Indian engineering graduates, with a recent report suggesting that as much as 95% of Indian engineering graduates are unfit for programming jobs. Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/australia-scraps-457-visa-programme/articleshow/58258973.cms">Indian techies have nowhere to go to now</a> The directors of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/education/iits-and-iisc-among-the-top-100-of-asias-300-best-universities/articleshow/57669384.cms">Indian Institutes of Technology</a>, the esteemed institutions for engineering studies, consider these claims to be exaggerated, but think that the issue is still a concern. As per IIT directors that ET spoke to, the concern arises because of the large number of engineering students that graduate from Indian colleges every year, outdated curriculum that they are made to study, as well as poor teaching infrastructure and shortage of good faculty in institutes that are not premium or much reputed. "The country is producing as many as 10 lakh engineers a year. There needs to be a serious review," said Indranil Manna, director at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/small-business/companies/iit-kanpur-joins-hands-with-paytm-to-become-a-completely-cashless-campus/articleshow/57572069.cms">IIT-Kanpur</a>. "Do we really need so many engineers? Are there that many jobs?" Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/transportation/cars/three-iits-are-working-together-to-build-self-driving-cars/articleshow/57425765.cms">Three IITs are working together to build self-driving cars</a> He, however, added that it’s not the students’ fault, since most of them join the courses with the intention to learn. However, several institutes lack good teachers, good labs and infrastructure. For this, the system needs to be blamed, which allows so many institutes of questionable quality to blossom. V Ramgopal Rao, director of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/small-business/tech/ericsson-has-set-up-a-5g-for-india-program-in-iit-delhi-heres-why-/articleshow/58402112.cms">IIT Delhi</a>, shares Manna’s view, agreeing that India is seeing an overproduction of engineers, but an overwhelming majority of them can’t be called unemployable. Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/student-innovations-at-iit-empower-indias-defence-sector-like-never-before/articleshow/58379582.cms">IIT student innovations empower India's defence sector like never before</a> "Our job is to produce graduates who are broadbased and who can be trained for a given job. Not to be so narrowly focused that they can only do one kind of job. We must strengthen our ITI and polytechnic diploma education by incorporating a significant hands-on training component," Rao suggested. One can also think of Indian parents’ fascination to see their kids becoming engineers as the reason behind the overproduction of engineers. While some high-performers from top IITs get high packages, the same is not the case with most fresh graduates from institutes not counted as premium. This also forces many fresh engineers to take up jobs unrelated to engineering. "There is no doubt that this (debate over employability) is not applicable to IITs, NITs, some notable CFTIs such as the IIITs, IIEST, IIST, etc. Some leading state universities including <keyword id="6361218" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jadavpur-University">Jadavpur University</keyword> and Anna University colleges are imparting very high-quality education as are private institutes such as BITS, VIT, Amity and SRM, among others," said Gautam Biswas, director at <keyword id="6399339" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="IIT-Guwahati">IIT-Guwahati</keyword>. He added that there are concerns about some colleges that are not able to raise their qualities and standards. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/careers/iit-bombay-students-channel-educating-rural-youth-in-local-languages-becomes-a-huge-hit-on-youtube/articleshow/57495768.cms">IIT-Bombay</a> director Devang Khakhar said that no student is ready to immediately join the industry right from the campus. They need to be trained before they can be sent to work. On the surveys claiming 95% of <keyword id="729521" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Engineers">Indian engineers</keyword> unfit for jobs, he said, "if the situation was that dire, so many IT companies wouldn't be recruiting in such large numbers."

Employability of engineers exaggerated, but still a concern, says IIT directors

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/51911095.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" />It’s that time of the year again when India’s premier engineering institute, <keyword id="57604" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="iit-delhi">IIT Delhi</keyword> hosts ‘Open House’ - its annual exhibition to give people an insight into the revolutionary work happening inside the campus over the past year. As the college is gearing up to host the 12th edition of ‘Open House’, the list of splendid innovations that will be featured at the event has already caught eyeballs across the country. 
 
This is because once again, most of these projects are not only innovative but those with “high societal impact”. 
 
Among a total of 500 research projects and 80 demo projects to be displayed are some really interesting innovations like a hip protective device for the elderly, high productivity bio-fertilizer, Mamma Pod and diagram books for blind students. 
 
There will also be these: A 5 min endotoxin detection kit, Tissue Engineering and 3D Bio printing, Design and Development of Mobile Unit for Biogas Enrichment &amp; Bottlingm among others. 
 But what’s going to be the center of attention is a system of better drainage systems for Delhi. Yes, A lot of eyes, especially from the <keyword id="6354952" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-Government">Delhi government</keyword> will be on this as the event kickstarts on April 23. 
 V Ramgopal Rao, who assumed office as the premier institute’s Director three days ago, said “The idea of <keyword id="2388827" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="IIT-Open-House">IIT Open House</keyword> is to identify projects where a new product or technology is created with high societal impact. We are going to connect with agricultural and healthcare institutions and would like to work on multi-disciplinary projects offering societal benefits.” 
 
IIT Delhi is expecting over 40,000 school students to visit the exposition which will be open and free for public. While demonstrations will close by 2 pm the laboratory will stay open for visitors till 4 pm. 
 
IIT IS STRIVING TO CREATE A BETTER WORLD FOR THE VISUALLY CHALLENGED 
 
The institute has been working towards providing aid to the visually-impaired for quite sometime now and had come up in the past with technology-driven devices like the blind cane, that have shown positive results. 
 
Their latest project focuses on providing blind students access to non-visual representations of diagrams and figures in subjects like maths, science, economics and geography, in tactile form at an affordable cost. 
 
Prof M Balakrishnan, who is guiding the project, said it uses the process of thermoforming with durable PVC sheets as opposed to the more expensive swell paper or the less durable embossing, while using 3D printing technology. 
 
“Thermoforming lies between embossing and swell technology. While embossing might be economical, it is less durable and prone to wear and tear. Swell technology is expensive with each paper costing Rs 100. With thermoforming, more durable diagrams are created at a nominal price of Rs 10-Rs 15 per sheet,” Renu Kaushik and Vibha Chaudhury, who are working as research scholars for the project, said. 
 
The team has been working with NCERT to bring out a map book for Upper Primary grades in blind schools. 
 
They have also brought out science and maths textbooks for ninth grade and economics textbook for the eleventh grade, besides a Yoga book for the Iyengar society that can be used by visually impaired individuals to practise yoga. 
 
Rao also emphasised on the need for tech-based initiatives and said that it will be among one of the primary areas of focus for the years to come. 
 
“I have seen that a lot of start ups are coming up but there are hardly any tech-based start-ups. We have to focus on tech and tech-incubation is what we will focus on in the next few years,” he said. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

IIT Delhi is all set to host the 12th edition of its massively popular innovations 'Open House'. Here’s what to expect

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/51980436.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" />Before <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Here-are-the-ideas-that-won-the-2ndEdition-of-Ericsson-Innovation-Awards/articleshow/51963112.cms">Ericsson’s Innovation Awards felicitated some brilliant young minds once again this year</a>, one of the jury members Mr <keyword id="178548" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="R-Gopalakrishnan">R Gopalakrishnan</keyword> had a word of advice for the participants from across the country and all the other aspiring entrepreneurs who had gathered in IIT’s seminar hall to watch the 3-month-long competition’s grand finale on Saturday. 
 One of <keyword id="46431" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-Inc">India Inc</keyword>’s most prominent face today, Mr Gopalakrishnan was heard telling students - “It’s wonderful to receive a prize today, it’s wonderful your families will rejoice today but that can last for one day. What you do with this idea later on is very important. If you walk away from here thinking you are a genius who has finally made it, you may be missing out on understanding that you may be a genius who is yet to make it.” 
 
For those who may not be aware of the rich body of work this man has behind him, Mr Gopalakrishnan has worked for the Tatas and Unilever for nearly two decades each. He has played a vital role in providing direction and impetus to Tata Group's forays into potentially viable areas of the new economy. 
 On Saturday, the Director of <keyword id="46894" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Tata-Sons">Tata Sons</keyword> was a part of the jury comprising Ericsson Head of Region for India, Paolo Colella, Vice-Chancellor of IIT Delhi V Ramgopal Rao along with a few others. 
 
Before the students could start presenting their ideas, Mr Gopalakrishnan took to the stage to deliver what looked like yet another pep talk. Just when he began talking, the murmurs lowered down and within the next 5 seconds there was pin-drop silence. 
 He began - "India is a haven for innovation and <keyword id="107737" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Entrepreneurship">entrepreneurship</keyword>" and from here, his nearly 20-minute power-packed speech had each and everyone glued to the stage. 
 
He gave out 5 legendary lessons that no other corporate honcho will ever fathom to give out as advice to a budding entrepreneur today, but 
it’s something he/she must know before taking on the Startup journey:" 
 
1. Innovation and entrepreneurship are nurtured in the face of obstacles and problems 
 
Point being made: The more the obstacles, the greater scope for innovation. 
 
He says - “You cannot find a place with bigger problems than India. Those who get exasperated with India and its problems are actually seeing the same object and coming to the opposite conclusion. You name the problems we have it - how to get to work, how to get a glass of clean water, how to get your kids to school, it’s a country with large number of people and therefore with a larger number of problems. But that’s where the opportunities lie.” 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/The-4Cs-every-country-needs-to-spur-innovation-and-India-already-has-3-of-them/articleshow/51980489.cms">Read about the 4Cs he mentioned to understand after this to understand his point better</a> 
 
2. Your startup won't remain a startup forever 
 
Point being made: Look at your idea/startup as part of the revolutionary process, not a revolution in itself 
 He says: “Ericsson was started in 1846. It was a startup back then. Mr Lars Ericson must have looked like one of you. What you should remember is that today’s startup will be tomorrow’s grown-up and it takes a lot to go through this journey. Therefore, in the face of media hype and glory around <keyword id="6362513" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Startups">startups</keyword>, you can't you just get excited to have one of your own. Knowing what to do once you have a company is imperative. 
 
There is a human equivalent to business as well, he explains. “As a child is born, he grows and evolves first and then starts ageing. Same is the case with companies. Please get excited about having a startup, but remember we cannot come out of a maternity ward saying WOW, we have lots of babies, until we know how to give them a good life.” 
 
3. If you are starting a company, it's like having a baby 
 
Point being made: Bringing up a startup is like raising a child. Both need nurturing. 
 
"When an elder comes to visit a family, they bless the child saying Ayushman Bhawa - it means live a long life. Who is going to bless a startup? Nobody is even thinking of its long life. Everyone’s thinking – have valuations and cash out. I am personally not against it, lots of people are making money but if you want to build a big company of your own, Remember - in any society you need a very good maternity ward to have babies safely, schools and colleges where they can study for proper nurturing. Your company will need the same facilities and care." 
 
Citing two examples, he makes his point clear: “Westinghouse who has been conducting science competitions in the US for several years analyzed the data of applicants and inferred: Kids who felt they were gifted failed to make the cut. An American Psychologist Benjamin who studied musicians, sportsmen and scientists observed that the students who did brilliantly have supportive parents, not supermoms." 
 
So don't let success diminish your focus and nurture your startup like it's your baby. 
 
"It’s wonderful to receive a prize, it’s wonderful your families will rejoice today but that can last for one day. What you do with it later on is very important. If you walk away thinking you are a GENIUS who has finally made it, you may be missing out on understanding that you may be a genius who is yet to make it,” he says. 
 
4. A successful startup can only become a successful grown-up if you cater to its soul, not just body 
 
Point being made: You cannot just cater to the body, you have to cater to the soul of a startup 
 
“Every parent’s desire is to see their child become a contributing member of the society. We know we need to ensure good health and a healthy mind for their success, but do we know what to do for our startup companies?” 
 
“The human equivalent here for a company is what I call Corporate Ayurveda. A startup/company has a body and a soul like humans. You cannot just cater to the body, you have to cater to the soul as well. Giving your company good habits, good values, practices like ethics and morality from day 1 really helps.” 
 
"Follow these 4 mantras and then just hope for the best the same way you do when you send your kids to a good school and hope they will come out a responsible child one day.” 
 
- You must have a purpose, the purpose must be a consistent one, you must nurture your startup and cater to the soul of your company, 
 
“Two companies I have happened to work with and I can speak for them are HUL and Tata. In Unilever, William Hesketh Lever who made soaps was asked in 1890: 
 
What is the purpose of your business? He said: I have a long task ahead of me, I have to keep the millions across the world clean and hygienic. 150 years on, HUL is still doing that today. 
 
Similarly, Jamsetji Tata was asked: 
 
Why have you started this business in textile, steel and hydroelectric power? He said - I wanted to create a company which is a part of the community. What it takes from the community, it must return. Tatas are still doing the same thing!” 
 
5. Innovation and entrepreneurship requires you to exhibit a growth mindset 
 
Point being made: It's Ok to seek success, but don’t be fearful of failures on your way. The thorns are as much a part of your journey as roses! 
 
“A growth mindset is - You want success but you are not fearful of failure. A fixed mindset on the other hand is– If you are committed, you must succeed by hook or by crook. You have too much reputation at stake and if you lose its somebody’s fault, not yours. I would tell all of you today as well as the jury here, that it’s the growth mindset we should be looking out for because that’s exactly what can lead to innovation and entrepreneurship.”

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Employability of engineers exaggerated, but still a concern, says IIT directors

BI India Bureau

IIT Delhi is all set to host the 12th edition of its massively popular innovations 'Open House'. Here’s what to expect

Anushree Singh

These 5 legendary points by one of India Inc’s stalwarts is what every budding entrepreneur must learn by heart

Anushree Singh