 "New IITs should be set up without diluting the IIT brand: Pawan Goenka")
Pawan Goenka, Executive Director and President, Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra, was recently appointed the Chairman of Board of Governors at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. In an interview with T E Narasimhan & Kalpana Pathak, Goenka says he plans to understand how IIT Madras can up its international ranking and seek a higher level of engagement with industry for industrial research. Excerpts:
What according to you is the biggest challenge for the IITs today?
I believe the biggest challenge is attracting good faculty members and raising the status of research work within the IIT system and stature of IIT research outside India.
What do you think can IITs do to improve their research?
Much stronger industry interaction for research is needed, both in terms of funding and working on industry relevant research. In addition, faculty members need to get better access and opportunity for publishing their work outside India in reputed scientific journals.
How can the IITs attract more faculties?
Compensation certainly plays a role. I would think that IIT faculty members are compensated better than other colleges but may still not match industry. At the same time those who choose academics as their career have a greater affinity towards facilities such as doing research, innovating, incubating and consulting. Social status of faculty members is also an important consideration.
What do you think IITs can do to better their financial position?
I am not fully aware of the financial status of IITs.
How can IITs work on improving international rankings?
I am not sure how much IITs have focused on International rankings. I do not know where our IITs stand in ranking but I do know that the system produces amongst the best of engineers in the world. For international rankings size of the institute, quality and number of research publications and mix of international faculty and students are also amongst the criteria
The new government is planning to set up more IITs. Is this a good idea?
India certainly needs more high-standard engineering colleges. At the same time, it is important that any new IIT lives up to its reputation--the faculty, student and teaching standards the IITs are known for. IITs are among the strongest Indian brand globally. As long as more such institutes can be set up without diluting the IIT brand, the Government should consider it. In my view the most challenging task in expanding the IIT system will be to attract quality faculty members in sufficient numbers
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In what ways do you see yourself contributing to the betterment of IITs?
IITs are supported and managed very well. I do not expect to see any obvious gaps that I can come in and start working on. Having said that I would like to understand what needs to be done to improve the International ranking of IIT Madras. I would also like to see a higher level of engagement with industry for industrial research. I have no doubt that Indian industry need to scale up basic R&D and leverage the expertise available in our educational institutions. Attracting quality faculty members will be another area of focus
It has been stated that IITs are losing their high standards and acting like any other education institution. Comment.
I do not know enough yet, to comment on this.
IIT engineers are more inclined to join financial services than auto industry or manufacturing. Comment.
It is unfortunate that the IIT graduates are not choosing a technical career, something that the industry needs to reflect on.
Compared to other IITs, what are the advantages and challenges for IIT-Madras?
I think the location is an advantage. I am not aware of challenges but do believe that the campus is running out of usable space for expansion.
What will your focus area be, especially where R&D is concerned?
Pulling Indian industry to sponsor research at IIT and recruiting Ph.Ds to carry our more basic R&D work at their locations.
Considering Chennai is an auto hub and you are the veteran in this industry, will special focus will be to auto industry related R&D and other initiatives?
Yes, I would certainly like to do so. IIT has developed an IIT Madras Research Park which houses many industries for collaborating with IIT Madras for Research work. This appears to be a very successful initiative.
Your vision for IIT-M.
IITs are pride of India and a source for highly trained engineers for the industry and for the academic world. I would want to see how I can help to make the IIT brand stronger in and outside India and also use the IIT system to make India stronger in Science and Technology.