In a review meeting held today Principal Secretary, Skill Development Department (SDD), Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon reviewed the performance and working of polytechnic sector in J&K.He emphasised on the officers to focus on imbibing fresh lease of life in this sector as it used to be few years earlier. He maintained that polytechnics are meant to provide the middle level workers in the industry and engineering sector. He termed the workforce very important in terms of quality output of projects and industrial products.Dr Samoon asked the officers to inculcate the necessary engineering acumen among the students in these colleges so that they come up as best executants of works being entrusted upon them. He urged to expose them to the actual industrial environment and devise plans for providing them the necessary training in industrial houses or project sites where they would get to know the nuances and niceties of their trade.Dr Samoon also emphasised on inclusion of latest trends and working of latest machinery in the curriculum of the courses offered in polytechnics. He asked them to train the students instead of only handing them with certificates. He exhorted upon them to bring out quality engineers out of these polytechnics so that they find gainful jobs locally and nationally.He asked them to conduct placement drives for the pass outs and establish placement cells in each college in association with the industrial partners. He further said that industrial partnership for each college should be envisaged for better functioning and outcome of the polytechnics on the analogy of Institute Management Committee (IMC) in ITIs.
The Principal Secretary was informed that there are 22 polytechnic colleges in government sector and 7 private colleges with each district having atleast one polytechnic college. These colleges have a cumulative capacity of about 5300 students in nearly two dozen trades offered there. These include 2 women exclusive polytechnics offering several women specific trades and courses in the twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar.The meeting was informed that there are several CSS under implementation that are fast changing the sector towards betterment. These includes setting up of polytechnic colleges (each at Rs 12.30 crores) in unserved areas, construction of women’s hostels, central assistance for upgradation of existing polytechnics, scheme for community development through polytechnics, modernisation and removal of obsolescence in these polytechnics.Earlier Dr Samoon also reviewed establishment of Model ITI here in Srinagar. He asked the executing agency to complete all the civil works forthwith so that the new campus at Zainakote is started soon. He directed the engineers to complete all the civil works still pending there so that the necessary equipment and gadgets are installed there.The Principal Secretary asked the non-official industrial partner, who is also chairman of the IMC of the institute to see whether all the works have been done as per industrial standards and requirements. He urged them to monitor the quality and pace of work and ensure that all the works are complete in coming month so that the campus is started from the upcoming academic session.
The Principal Secretary was informed that the ITI is having 2 campuses one at Bagh i Dilawar Khan and new one at Zainakot. He was apprised that the old campus in the old city would offer courses related to traditional arts and crafts popular here in this part of the city and the new campus would offer modern technical and professional courses.The meeting was further apprised that these model ITIs are established each in Jammu and Srinagar with funds to the tune of Rs 10 crores provided to each for up gradation of infrastructure and procuring modern machinery and equipment.It was also given out that the main objective of these ITIs is to provide quality skilled workforce for the industry in order to meet their requirements and serve as model for other ITIs.The trades, it was said, would be market driven as per the latest trends in industry. These includes Internet of Things (IoT) Technician in Healthcare, IoT Technician Smart City, Solar Technician, Mechanic Auto Electrical & Electronics (Automobiles) and Floriculture/Landscaping experts. Besides these the already offered courses like COPA, Fashion designing, Electrician and other courses would also be upgraded at a cost of nearly 1.5 crores in each model ITI.The meeting also discussed other issues like transfer of land to these model ITIs, macdamisation of road, commissioning of 250 KVA transformer and other allied works. On spot directions were given to the concerned officers for resolving these issues in a short span of time.The meetings were attended by Secretary in Skill Development Department, Development Commissioner Works, Chief Engineer KPDCL, Director SDD, Director Industries and Commerce, DGM Housing Board, SE Hydraulics Srinagar, Principals of all the Polytechnic colleges, Principal model ITI Srinagar and other officers and officials of the department.Outside station officers attending the meeting through video conferencing.