Enhance employability and encourage startups!

T-Schools are providing a diverse range of courses for students. While the average number of research papers is substantially greater in government institutes, in terms of MoUs, private T-Schools are more active. These are some of the findings of the survey. In terms of recommendations, T-Schools should enhance employability, encourage startups and focus on better placements.

We have arrived at the 18th wave of Dataquest Top T-School study, trusted by students, parents, and recruiters. An industry-recognized benchmark for technical education is the Dataquest T-School Survey, which examines how T-Schools contribute to crucial skills for the technology industry. It depicts the sector and other ecosystem participants.

The best option for a student choosing an engineering course should be a good engineering college that meets all of the needs of an engineering aspirant. As a student enters the engineering field, they have numerous goals in mind. Engineering has emerged as the finest option for students as it creates job opportunities to students throughout areas across the world. Comparing engineering to many other graduate programmes, finding a job is a simpler procedure.

A good engineering college is one where several criteria for high-quality education are successfully addressed. A strong faculty, campus and industry associations are some of the determinants of rating. The major factor for imparting education with the appropriate concepts so that students can have a better grasp of the courses is faculty, which plays a significant role in the development of a college. Students establish the correct connection to the college by attending classes on a decent campus because a campus with the right atmosphere gives students a sense of belonging. A positive campus atmosphere strengthens the student force and makes them feel more devoted to their education. Strong industry association provides practical exposure to students. To have the effective learning, balance between theoretical and practical learning is essential.

In order to up their standards, engineering schools are modernising their operations to take advantage of the most recent advancements in engineering education, including campus improvements, top-notch faculty, and a tranquil environment for learning. To improve the calibre of education given to the students, certain colleges regularly upgrade their teaching standards and try to strengthen their industry engagement. This is a crucial stage since it exposes students to more effective teaching techniques with practical exposure, which will better prepare them for tests.

Research Methodology and Key Outcomes

The T-School 2023 Survey included a number of famous NITs, IIITs, as well as private and government institutions.

Each of India’s main states contributed at least one T-school to the survey. 89% of the participants were private T-schools, who took an active role in it. The highest participation was from Southern region of India with 60% of the total number of institutes participated in the survey.

A standardised questionnaire containing roughly 60 questions was used to collect information regarding the PACE Framework. With the help of these inquiries, the DQ-CMR team was able to put the feedback from the T-Schools into a comprehensive picture. The T-Schools had plenty of time to submit their fully completed nominations, either in person or online. The contributions were reviewed by the CMR EduTech Practice in accordance with the market research code of ethics for completeness and accuracy of information provided, as well as through a random check process, with >30% of the submissions cross-checked. Key stakeholders were called by CMR Analysts for more discussion, providing a complete picture of the T-School.

In order to compare parameters among the participating schools, the quantitative inputs from different T-Schools were then analysed, with absolute data being converted to relative data.

A final score was obtained for each of the aforementioned parameter segments, which was then multiplied by the predetermined weights to determine the total score for each participating T-School. The institutes were then ranked, with the top spots going to those with the best scores by summing up scores on all four criteria. For the T-Schools, the rankings were also determined by category and location.

Key Findings

1. Placement - In the year 2022, 505 students on an average in each T-School received job offers. On an average, 116 business partners came to T-Schools to recruit. 515 students were placed on an average at private T-Schools. Whereas 389 students were placed to government T-Schools. The maximum income offered was INR 33 Lacs/p.a. and the average salary package was INR 5.9 Lacs/p.a.

The average number of research papers per institute during the last three years is 588.

2. Research Papers & Patents - The average number of research papers per institute during the last three years is 588. This figure is substantially greater in government institutes (1213). The research papers published by T-Schools, which include academic research papers in peer-reviewed journals, articles, and books, demonstrate the T-Schools’ overall research production. The median number of patents registered, encompassing both government and private T-Schools, is 20.

3. Courses Offered - According to the results of the DQ-CMR T-School Survey 2023, T-Schools are providing a diverse range of courses for students, including Computer Science, Electronics and Communications, Mechanical Engineering being the top three streams.

45% of permanent faculty members have more than ten years of experience, 31% have five to ten years of experience, and 24% have fewer than five years of experience.

4. Faculty at T-Schools - T-School instructors have a PhD degree in 40% of cases. The results of the DQ-CMR T-School Survey show that 95% of T-School instructors are permanent, 3% are visiting, and 2% are on contracts. When it comes to faculty experience, 45% of permanent faculty members have more than ten years of experience, 31% have five to ten years of experience, and 24% have fewer than five years of experience.

Almost every institute (99%) encourages them to participate in internship, and on an average, 72% of students are trained in it. In the last two years. in internship needs to be included.

5. Industry Interface - Because the internship is a student’s first exposure to the industry, almost every institute (99%) encourages them to participate, and on an average, 72% of students are trained in it. In the last two years, on an average 2162 students have completed internships at 148 different companies. There is also ongoing support from industry professionals. In the last two years, the average number of industry experts who have visited T-Schools has been 123. During the previous year, an average of 19 industry individuals served on the boards/advisory councils of the various T-Schools to guide them, and an average of 11 faculty members served on the boards of corporations.

6. Engagement with Industry Ecosystem - By cooperation with the industry, T-Schools can adapt to market demands. enhancing current teaching strategies and, most crucially, providing students a foundational education. Industry involvement enhances the authenticity of classroom instruction and empowers students to make more confident career decisions.

In terms of MoUs, private T-Schools are more active and outweigh public T-Schools. A staggering 97% of T-Schools reported having an MoU with an industrial partner in the DQ-CMR T-School 2023 Survey. The DQ-CMR T-School 2023 Study’s findings show that 92% of T-Schools have set up an incubator to support entrepreneurs. It is good to note that 80% of these incubators receive support from the industry and profit from connections to regional companies. T-Schools supported 18 new businesses annually on average. By serving as a conduit between T-Schools and business, the incubators enable students and teachers to receive business advice from corporate partners in charge of commercializing and scaling up the ideas.

Similar to last year, this year also government institutions have secured the top 3 places in a row. Even in the top 10 T-Schools in the country, 6 are government owned while the remaining 4 are the private institutions. The number one position is secured by International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad.

The DQ-CMR T-School 2023 Study’s findings show that 92% of T-Schools have set up an incubator to support entrepreneurs.

Among private institutions, B.S Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai secures the first position. If we look at zone wise, top 3 places are secured by institutes from South and North Zones. East Zone has secured 3 places in top 10 T-Schools, though only 8 institutes are there from East Zone in top 100 T-Schools.

Way Forward – Here are three recommendations for T-Schools to be ahead

01. Enhance Employability

More than half of the seats were vacant in prior years, according to a recent study. There are therefore obvious regulatory gaps. The current capability in traditional disciplines must be transformed to developing new technologies like as Artificial intelligence, Data analytics & Cloud computing in order to solve the poor employability of engineering graduates.

02. Encourage Startups

A balanced approach to technology and innovation is necessary, as is the growth of students’ entrepreneurial abilities. Engineers that can work independently are in high demand. Engineering colleges should offer entrepreneurship as an elective course and involve students in real-world ventures. Handling all of a new startup’s issues should be paired with providing supporting infrastructure and faculty supervision.

03. Better Placements

Campus placement generally have the following stages:

1.            Skill assessment test

2.            Group discussion

3.            Panel interview round

4.            Technical test

5.            General HR round

Top T-Schools in India 2023:

Regular sessions to train students for these can help them to secure placements in top companies.

These are the facts about engineering, but even with these facts in mind, a student should choose a course like engineering with his priorities in order. Priorities in the sense that his interests should be given top priority because without interest in engineering, he/she may doom himself/herself. Therefore, even though engineering offers the possibility of a brighter career, the candidate must choose wisely by weighing their interests against all other factors. This can be done by refusing to mindlessly follow commercial trends. The majority of the time, students who studied engineering choose to pursue it since the employment market is advantageous to them. We would advise students to be sensible enough to find something that fits their area of aptitude if they are not interested in engineering courses.

Satya Mohanty

Sugandha Srivastava

Mohanty is Head, User Research Practice at CMR

and Srivastava is Senior Manager (Research) at CMR

maildqindia@cybermedia.co.in