GUWAHATI, July 9 � Technical education and research initiatives in Assam is poised for a major leap with an Australia-based university set to assist the Assam Government in creating a new pool of world-class technocrats who would work to focus on finding creative solution to problems through application of latest technology.
The collaboration is a part of the new-found thrust of the State Government as per which technical education in Assam would now prioritize having a new crop of world class technocrats rather than just focusing on having a quantum jump in terms of its accessibility (availability of seats).
Experts are of the opinion that although in the last ten years the number of seats increased from 800 to 4,150, hands-on expertise has taken a backseat. Technical degree holders joining non-technical fields too has posed expertise crunch over the years.
A three-member team comprising senior functionaries of Curtin University had virtually set the ball rolling for the highly ambitious plan during its visit to the State a couple of days back. The team during its visit made visits to a number of institutes including Assam Engineering College and the Girijananda Chowdhury Institute of Management and Technology, besides a few others.
The team, which included Prof Stelbovics, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University, was invited by the State Government for �gap analysis� and to suggest ways and means for an overhaul of the entire set-up of technical education in Assam and set a new benchmark.
Commissioner and Secretary, Higher Education, Hemanga K Sharma when contacted told The Assam Tribune that the visit was fruitful and a detailed feedback will be given by the team in some time.
�Curtin University is one of the leading institutes of the world that lay special stress on research work aimed at improving public life through technological intervention. The idea behind having the collaboration is to create a pool of world class engineers through exposure trips and faculty exchange programme,� Sharma said.
Curtin University is known worldwide for its technical expertise and had fruitful exchange programme in countries like China and Sri Lanka.
