Harshini Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi
Udupi, Jun 22: “The Indian education system is exam-oriented not business based. Knowledge should be for the sake of knowledge. Just do with pleasure whatever you want to do,” said P R Mukund, renowned researcher from USA, in an interaction programme with press persons organized by Sri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management, Bantakal, at Hotel Kediyoor.
Dr Mukund, professor, Electrical and Microelectronic Engineering Department, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester, New York, is in Udupi as a part of his visit to Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology & Management, Bantakal, for technology tie-ups. As a professor, he has obtained research funding of more than $2 million from industry and government sources and has supervised the graduate research of over 70 students at RIT, New York. He has been recognized in many international forums for his outstanding research contributions in emerging technology.
During the interaction programme with media persons, he said that there are no other special foundations based on the business model. “Health and education are the two criteria of the Indian system. There is true value and meaning for innovations rather than running behind old approaches,” said Dr Mukund adding that he would like to set up a ‘Center of Excellence’ in Bantakal within three years.
“It will be a well-equipped laboratory which provides practical knowledge for undergraduates as well as faculties,” he added.
He will first experiment with preservation of manuscripts through digitization using a ‘silicon wafer’ (round silicon Chip). Dr Mukund proudly displayed a model of his dream project that he wants to call ‘Center for Preservation of Ancient Manuscripts’.
If he succeeds in this, it would be the first of its kind first innovation in India. He hopes that the Indian government will adopt this technology in future. Dr Mukund said that he is not going to convince the government regarding advantages and applications of this project since he would not want to wait for government approvals which consumes more time.
The total cost of this wafer is $ 250 and it has a 1500 rh saving capacity with a durability of 500 years. He predicts that the cost will be less in our nation. His research articles have been published in Britain’s popular magazine called ‘Spin Off’. He hopes that India will come forward with such technology in the future. Labour and material cost are the two problems while working on this production. The next project on his list is ‘sensor technology’ in the College.
Speaking to Daijiworld.com regarding the education system in India, he said that students have lack of practical knowledge compared to that of the USA. If a student wants to become an engineer, he should be interested in it and only then can he achieve something. The system will change only if they get training. We should work harder on the subjects we are interested in and not just for earning money. Earning is a part of our life and should not be our aim. It would hamper our creativity.
Q: Do you think Indian graduates are migrating to foreign countries to seek employment and do you think the brain-drain concept still exists?
We can’t say it is a brain-drain but we may call it as labour drain. If an engineering graduate goes abroad, it doesn’t mean that he has made his life in that country. He works only for livelihood. The answer to this question varies from one another depending on their capacity.
Q: Do you have any special provision of internship for Indian students, especially for students from Karnataka?
Yes, we have many provisions and we will facilitate training along with material knowledge for a month. We provide a lump sum amount to a student as monthly allowance
based on his working efficiency.
Q: What message would you like to give for the younger generation?
A student should gain knowledge for the sake of knowledge and that’s very important for every individual. Regarding government schools, they lack practical science tools. A good teacher can teach only by using board and chalk. Everything depends on the way of communication and explanation.