The Nature and Scope of Industry—Institute Interaction in India

Abstract

One of the most important functions of a modern research university is interaction with industry in order to establish a close link between education, research, and professional practice. This paper examines relevant issues with special reference to the Indian context: Indian industry's perceptions of the curricula offered by the universities; the prerequisites for an institution if it is to develop successful cooperation with industry; the interaction between scientific and industrial research organizations and industry; and basic differences and contentious issues that arise between the higher education and industrial sectors in terms of roles, goals and perceptions. An analysis is also presented of some barriers or inhibitors to cooperation, and strategies to overcome them are suggested. Against this background, the author offers a case study of current initiatives designed to promote interaction with industry at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Chandrakant

L.S.

Seetharama

Rao K.

Ramakrishnan

Natarajan

‘Indian industry perceptions of the undergraduate degree curricular offerings’, Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, Vol 53, March 1994, pp 210–225.

These included: The Aeronautics R&D Board; the All India Council for Technical Education; the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research; the Defence R&D Organization; the Department of Atomic Energy; the Department of Electronics; the Department of Ocean Development; the Department of Science and Technology; the Department of Telecommunications; the Indian Space Research Organization; the Ministry of Human Resource Development; and the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources.

The following are examples of sponsored research projects and industrial consultancy projects covering 13 departments of IIT Madras. They indicate the scope of coverage current interactive activities. Sponsored projects: Studies on shock wave propagation in gas particle mixtures; development of blood flow visualization techniques to analyse haemorrheological changes in capillaries in health and diseases; design and development of radially pulsed liquid extraction column; novel low-temperature synthesis and structure of new polychalcogenide compounds; appropriate technology for rural housing; knowledge-based computer systems — fifth generation computer systems; development of micro-machined smart sensors for mechanical and biomedical applications; development of a decision-support system for cell formation in group technology; transit analysis of queuing and related systems; pressurized fluidized bed combustion of low-grade coal; fundamental studies in superplasticity and high-temperature creep; sea trial of 150 kW wave energy device; development of materials for hydrogen storage; applied biotechnology for industrial products; studies on jute fibre reinforced composites. Consultancy projects: Studies on nozzle flow separation; electro-hydraulic servo drive system for multibarrel rocket launcher; development of test fluid for carburettors; synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates and products; investigations of fire-affected buildings and recommendation of restoration measures; development of a neuron-based distributed control SCADA system; fuzzy-logic-based self-start for induction motor drives; development of software for life-cycle estimation; microprocessor-based leak detector for automotive water pumps; weld failure analysis of chemical reactor vessels; analysis of design of berths and wharves; stereo microscope optics design; design of FRP blades for cooling towers.

Examples of such activities are: The corDECT Wireless in Local Loop project, in collaboration with Analog Devices of the USA for developing a cost-effective method to provide voice and data connectivity in urban as well as rural areas; NovaSwitch 2400 and NovaSwitch 12000 — a high-performance Ethernet Switch; NSF-Funded Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustion Facility; Advanced Technology for Combustion of Biomass (Indo—Swedish Project); Performance of Galvanized Reinforcements in Tropical Marine Environment (for the International Lead Zinc Research Organization); Biological Production of Chiral Compounds for Optically-Active Pharmaceuticals (Indo—Korean Project); Design and Control of Intermittent Water Supply Systems (Indo—European Project); Development of Foot Model and Pressure Monitoring System (Indo—Netherlands Project); (i) Redox Mechanism in High-Temperature Superconductors (Indo—French Project).