Principal behind success
Reeta Sharma

HOW just one person can make a difference to the entire system can be seen in Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh. The new Principal, Dr Baljeet S. Kapoor, has literally turned the rather slow-paced institute into a hi-tech one. The unassuming Baljeet Kapoor passed out from this college in 1969. He later acquired his Master’s in Hydraulics and Irrigation. After briefly working for UT Administration and Haryana, he joined his own college as a teacher. It must have been a glorious moment for him when he was elevated to the post of Principal of the college.

The college, of late, has taken centrestage in global activity. No wonder, the students and faculty of PEC now have foreign dignitaries beckoning them for higher studies in their countries. The college has also moved away from rigid syllabi.

Before touching on the radical changes in the institute, let’s have a look at its growth in the last 55 years. After 1947, the Punjab College of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, became unavailable to students from India. In this vacuum, the then East Punjab Government built a barely functional East Punjab Engineering College. It began functioning on the premises of Thomson Engineering College, Roorkee, from December 1947. In 1950, for reasons not known, the word ‘East’ was dropped. But by the end of December 1953, PEC shifted to Chandigarh in its newly constructed building. For the next decade it continued to groom students in electrical, civil and mechanical engineering. It was only in 1963 that PEC enlarged its sphere of education and added six more departments, which included aeronautics, electronic-electrical communication, metallurgy and production engineering. Soon, computer science engineering and information technology were also added.

Not that the things were always hunky-dory for PEC. The bloody period of terrorism left an impact on this campus. Many terrorists not only forcibly took shelter in PEC hostels but also used their guns to terrorise and steal the best of the brains to help their supporters. At gunpoint many PEC toppers were made to write exams of students who were supporters of terrorists. Unfortunately, the hapless engineering students never got justice because they could not prove that they had been forced to write for other candidates.

The growth of PEC can be gauged from the fact that it used to enrol only 40 students in B.E. courses till 1954. Its present strength is 385. In addition, the Government of India has reserved 28 seats for foreign students. Within three years of its coming to Chandigarh, a postgraduate course on highway engineering was introduced. However, today, there are as many as 11 courses for students who opt for the M.E. degree. The college has fastened its pace by meeting the needs of modern times. For instance, IT facilities have been upgraded. Today, there are as many as 19 computer centres on the campus with free Internet service available to the students. This enables students to venture into software development besides creating websites.

Last year, a high-powered committee, which included three vice-chancellors, one IIT director under the leadership of Dr Rajput of the UGC visited the campus. Impressed by the infrastructure, the committee recommended converting this college into a university under the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

"We have also introduced regular Ph.D. programmes, as approved by the All-India Council of Technical Education. Now there will be regular research work on our campus. Besides, we have also brought in the accelerated Master’s programme. So far, students could pursue only one stream of engineering. However, from now onwards, they can take up additional courses to improve their qualification. For instance, they can now add management courses with their regular engineering courses. This will enable students to acquire a double degree in the same year, " says Dr Baljeet Kapoor.

On the research and development front, which is the backbone of any engineering institute, PEC has taken steps to infuse modern practices. Institutions like the CII have been associated for regular interaction. "We have a very strong infrastructure which was not being put to its optimum use. For instance, there are computers worth crores of rupees which we do not wish to lock away after 5 pm. For mutual gains, we have now opened our gates to professionals to make use of the infrastructure at a small price. We have hundreds of lathes, which can now be used by professionals from outside. We have also signed MoUs with the IITs of Delhi and Kanpur, CSIO, TBRL, Quark, Environment Society of India, etc, for enriching our research and development. Similarly, we have created an ‘institute cell’ for R and D," elaborates Dr Kapoor.

Besides concentrating on academics and research and development, PEC is now paying attention to infrastructure and to the evolution of a mechanism to procure feedback on problems and needs of students and the faculty. Here, it is pertinent to mention that PEC is fortunate to have received a number of scholarships for students even as some organisations have offered to support full education of deserving but poor students. "Often, I have to refuse some offers," says Dr Kapoor. Alumni of the institute also re-visit the campus. In the USA, they have formed batch-wise associations. In India, it is a joint venture. More than 50 scholarships have been offered by old pupils of the college, which range from Rs 5,000 to free education for the poor but brilliant students. Modalities are now being worked out to involve students in extra-curricular activities and develop sports infrastructure, including a swimming pool and tennis courts. Attention is also being paid to hostels by improving the quality of food, providing intercom facility and cyber café(s), etc. Regular visitors to PEC do find a visible change in terms of cleanliness and discipline in labs and workshops.

In the past one year, as many as 28 national companies visited the campus for placements of students. Students have been offered emoluments between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 4 lakh, per annum, by these companies.

Dr Baljeet Kapoor belongs to the school which firmly believes in the culture of discipline. "I would like PEC to acquire the work culture and atmosphere of the University of Cambridge. I think I am conservative enough to believe in a disciplined environment for the students. When they come to us, they are in their formative years. It is the moral duty of the institute to inculcate values and discipline and provide an atmosphere wherein the students face the bare minimum distractions," he says.