Importance of interdisciplinary projects and courses in Engineering

In recent years, a lot of focus has been laid on interdisciplinary subjects and projects in Engineering education. The UGC and AICTE also focus on Credit-Based Choice System (CBCS) for students where students can choose interdepartmental subjects based on their interests. Though any engineering graduate is expected to be technically competent in relevant domains, should have concepts clear, and must be good at the basics and the ability to apply their skills in problem-solving. Yet, the knowledge of other courses can further help the engineering graduates to tackle any situation in a more efficient way. The interdisciplinary knowledge is essential in aligning the students towards the current industrial trends where multitasking is a common routine. Interdisciplinary knowledge helps in reducing the gap between academic institutions and industries. It helps the students to expand their knowledge boundaries and helps in innovating by creating something new. The installation of ‘Tinkering Labs’ in higher education institutes is another step to impart interdisciplinary knowledge within undergraduate students.

While the core engineering courses provide a strong foundation to the students, but growing technology requires new methods and ways to progress, prosperity and to inculcate the problem-solving techniques. The need for in-depth multidisciplinary specialisation is the need of this hour. Interdisciplinary courses may be one of the solutions to tackle such requirements which can help in enhancing the engineering education and integrate the desired specialised fields to the present engineering education system. This will allow students to meet the current demands of the industries. There are many examples where interdisciplinary projects helped the mechanical students to get placed in financial giants such as Deloitte India. Based on the project carried out, student of electronics got placed in core mechanical industry.

The placement trend shows that interdisciplinary knowledge and projects help students to gain placements in top industries. The knowledge of emerging techniques and interdisciplinary approaches such as big data, machine learning and 3-D printing will influence the future of budding engineers.

Keeping this in mind, The NorthCap University, Gurugram initiated many activities to promote interdisciplinary education culture and to promote multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research. Some of the key highlights where NCU focused for the last few years are as follows:

• More emphasis on experiential learning and practical work, therefore more project-based interdisciplinary learning is introduced
• Courses on problem-solving, creative writing, entrepreneurship in UG programmes & Research Methodology introduced in PG programmes
• MOOCs have been made mandatory in all programmes to develop self- directed lifelong learning and to gain advanced interdisciplinary knowledge
• Concept of theory and labs has been integrated into project-based learning by laboratories. This supports the difficult and complex interdisciplinary experiments through project-based easy learning approaches
• Integrated out of classroom learning like professional society work with the curriculum to encourage creativity and innovation
• For experiential learning, participative learning and problem-solving methodologies, Tinkering Lab is established within the campus where innovative minds can play with technology. It is based on the values of creativity, critical thinking, innovation and hands-on experience. Students of any discipline with a bend for invention and innovation can come together under one roof to give shape to their new ideas. They can design, create and engineer prototypes, new products etc
• A lot of advanced lectures, industrial visits, competitions and quizzes are organised through various industrial and academic institutions to enhance the experiential and interdisciplinary learning. Open electives are available for students where students can select a course based on their interest
• Vice-Chancellor Innovation Fund is available for experiential learning, participative learning and problem-solving methodologies, where students can get funding for innovative multidisciplinary projects

In 2017, the multidisciplinary team of three students from the Mechanical Engineering department and Electrical Electronics and Communication Engineering department of the NorthCap University developed the ‘Self-Checkout System in Retail’. The project participated in the delta cup and won the second prize ‘Excellence Award in Delta Cup 2017’ held at Wujiang, Suzhou City, China, held from July 23 to July 26, 2017. Recently, in 2019-20 another project on Smart Car Management System (SCMS) which is funded by the University through Vice-Chancellor Innovation Fund Scheme (VCIF) was appreciated from the industrial partners and led to the placement of ECE student in core mechanical and mechatronics industry. Another multidisciplinary project funded through VCIF and fabricated in the Tinkering lab led to the filing of Indian patent on ‘Automatic universal LPG stove control device for boiling of liquids, Publication No.: 51/2019’. 

As per the present need of the industries, students have to focus on interdisciplinary knowledge and should focus on innovative multidisciplinary projects and research work. This will expose the students to the advanced technologies and will widen the scope of placements.

About the author

Dr Satnam is an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The NorthCap University

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha