In a major boost for India's technical education and industrial skill development, a focused 10-day training programme for master trainers in industrial automation and robotics successfully concluded in Mangaluru on Thursday. The initiative aims to bridge the critical gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements.
Programme Details and Participants
The Master Trainers Training Programme (MTTP) was a collaborative effort between the Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Centre for Training Master Trainers in Skill Development (MVCTMTSD) and the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal. Running from December 8 to December 19, the intensive session brought together 30 faculty members from various government-run technical institutions across Karnataka.
Participants were selected from a diverse range of institutes, including Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Government Tool Room and Training Centres (GTTCs), polytechnics, Karnataka Government Technical Teachers' Institutes (KGTTIs), and engineering colleges. Their role as master trainers is pivotal, as they are expected to cascade the advanced knowledge gained to students and peers in their home institutions.
Curriculum and Hands-On Learning
The curriculum was meticulously designed to provide a robust blend of theoretical foundations and practical, hands-on experience. Key technological domains covered during the training included:
- Industrial sensors and actuators
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
- Industrial control systems
- Internet of Things (IoT) applications
- Unmanned vehicle systems
The sessions were conducted in the state-of-the-art automation laboratory within NITK's Department of Mechanical Engineering. This environment provided participants with direct access to modern equipment, allowing them to work on real-world applications and understand the industrial relevance of the concepts. The programme was coordinated by NITK faculty members Navin Karnath P, Arun Kumar Shettigar, Mervin A Herbert, and Pruthviraj U.
Emphasis on National Skill Ecosystem
At the valedictory ceremony, SM Murigendrappa, Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at NITK, commended the joint efforts of MVCTMTSD and NITK. He urged the participants to become effective knowledge multipliers, disseminating the acquired expertise within their respective institutions to create a wider impact.
Vijay Desai, adviser to the MTTP Board, stressed the critical need for continuous upskilling of trainers to ensure that technical education keeps pace with rapidly evolving industry demands. Echoing this sentiment, Professor KV Gangadharan highlighted the strategic importance of such programmes in strengthening the national skill ecosystem and promoting advanced education in automation technologies across India.
This training marks a significant step in empowering educators with cutting-edge skills in automation and robotics, ultimately aiming to produce a more industry-ready workforce and bolster India's capabilities in these crucial sectors.
