Mysuru: A two-day symposium on Collaborative Research, organised jointly by PES College of Engineering, Mandya, State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), National Project Implementation Unit (NPIU) and Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP) commenced this morning at a private hotel in city.

About 100 faculty members of 20 engineering colleges are participating in the symposium.

Inaugurating the programme SPIU Nodal Officer Prof. Manohar Nayak opined that any research should be interesting, useful and help to improve the economy of the Nation. He added that the research findings should be conveyed in simple language easily understood by a common man.

Speaking on the occasion PES College of Engineering Director Dr. Ramalingaiah contended that the recent floods primarily indicate the spoiling of nature by humans on the pretext of development. He hence suggested that research should support nature and help the mankind which necessitates a multi-disciplinary research.

Presiding over the programme People Education Trust (PET) President Dr. H.D. Chowdaiah observed that technical education in the country is over 100-years-old and added that the State has 220 engineering colleges. He opined that the emerging engineers should be effectively groomed to face the challenges. He observed that many engineers are seen working in an alien field not falling in line with the subjects they studied which is not an encouraging factor. He added that the World Bank promoted NPIU should be periodically renewed.

Retired IIT, Madras Professor Prof. Vasudevan Radhakrishnan and Retired Indian Institute of Science Dean Prof. D.K. Subramanian delivered lectures.