Engineering is not just a degree, but a way of thinking: Former AICTE chairman

T.G. Sitharam, former chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) on Sunday (August 30) said engineering education should go beyond earning a degree and equip students with strong fundamentals, problem-solving abilities, human values and a spirit of innovation.

He was addressing the Induction Programme 2026-27 for first-year BE students of Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering (VVCE) in Mysuru.

Mr. Sitharam urged students to develop a strong foundation in mathematics, physics and other basic sciences and move beyond rote learning to gain conceptual clarity. Engineering, he said, is “not a degree, but a way of looking at the world”, requiring students to identify problems, think critically and develop practical solutions.

Advising students to embrace emerging technologies, he said Artificial Intelligence, data science and other digital tools should complement, rather than replace, strong knowledge of core engineering disciplines. Describing AI as “augmented intelligence”, he said it could significantly enhance human capabilities.

Mr. Sitharam also appealed to parents not to place excessive pressure on their children over academic performance. Failure in examinations, projects, internships or job opportunities should be viewed as an opportunity to learn and improve. “The fear of failure should be removed from young people,” he said.

Highlighting India’s growing strength in science and technology, he said the country had made significant progress in research, start-ups, digital infrastructure, semiconductors, clean energy and advanced manufacturing. He encouraged students to explore emerging fields such as quantum technology, biotechnology and AI.

Stressing that education does not end with graduation, Mr. Sitharam urged students to pursue continuous learning and actively participate in innovation clubs, laboratory projects, hackathons, symposiums and activities addressing real-world challenges. Such experiences, he said, would help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

He called upon students to become innovators, entrepreneurs, product developers and job creators, stressing that India’s ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047 would depend greatly on its young technical workforce. “Unless India becomes a product-building nation, there is no way to become a developed nation,” he said.

P. Vishwanath, Secretary of Vidyavardhaka Sangha (VVS), highlighted VVCE’s legacy of academic excellence and its commitment to holistic education, stressing the importance of technical competence, values, leadership and a global outlook. B. Sadashive Gowda, principal of VVCE, explained the institution’s academic framework and support systems to students. Alumni Karthick R., Preethi R. and Darshith Jain shared their experiences and urged students to actively participate in college clubs, saying such activities provide valuable opportunities to develop skills, confidence and leadership qualities alongside academics.

Gundappa Gowda, president of VVS, Shrishaila Ramannavar, treasurer, and vice-principal Shobha Shankar were present.