Short term overseer course: With the integration of the princely states and the formation of Rajasthan, there was a flurry of development activities, leading to sudden spurt in the demand for trained manpower in all sectors and at all levels. MBM Engineering College was established in 1951 and was running a degree course in civil engineering. Later on, the college had introduced diploma courses in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering. However, looking to the pressing demand of junior engineers in civil engineering in the development departments, a short term overseer certificate course of one and a half years duration was launched in the year 1955 with the stipulation that the students of the course shall return to the institution after rendering service in the departments for five years, for completing the unfinished portions of the overseers certificate course and a formal diploma shall be awarded to them at that time. Five years is a long time and the ground realities had changed substantially during the period. The pass outs of the short term overseers course were scattered all over the state. They had picked up sufficient experience and had carved out a niche of their own in their departments. They were shouldering full fledged responsibilities of their office, without getting recognition and emoluments admissible to diploma holders of civil engineering. Jodhpur Polytechnic was entrusted by the Board of Technical Education to run one or two batches of the unfinished portions of the diploma course, to enable the pass outs of short term overseer courses, to get a diploma in civil engineering. From considerations of logistics and administrative convenience, we suggested to the board that the students of short term overseers certificate course may be allowed to be admitted to the third year of the diploma course in civil engineering at any of the government polytechnics of Rajasthan during any academic year, convenient to them. This arrangement provided full freedom to the students to complete the course at any time and at any place of their choice, without any extra involvement of physical facilities and staff for the institutions. During their studies at Jodhpur Polytechnic, the students of short term overseer class were highly motivated and with the background of more than five years practical experience in the field, they were able to adjust quickly and performed at par with the top students of the regular stream. The informal blending of these students, who were hardened by the realities of life, with upcoming young boys was mutually supportive and beneficial for all of them.
Preparatory course for lateral entry in diploma course: First and second five year plans of the country had provided momentum to the developmental activities of the country in all sectors of the economy. Third five year plan was on and all sectors involved in the development of basic facilities and infra-structure were facing tremendous shortage of trained personnel at all levels. The minimum entry qualification for admission to three year diploma course in civil engineering was high school or secondary examination with english, mathematics and science. It was suggested that for meeting the emergent needs of diploma holders in civil engineering, lateral entry may be allowed in second year of the three year diploma course in civil engineering. Consequently, four government polytechnics were identified for admitting one batch of sixty students each to second year of the diploma course in civil engineering. The minimum entry qualification was to be higher secondary with english, science and mathematics. Jodhpur Polytechnic was entrusted with the task of providing preparatory training of two months to all the two hundred forty students, admitted by the polytechnics, during the vacation months of May and June 1965, to enable the students to join regular classes of second year in respective polytechnics from July 1965.
The students were lodged in the hostels of the polytechnic and common messing arrangements were provided. Four sections of sixty each divided into eight groups of thirty each were formed. Drawing, workshop jobs, field survey and laboratory practicals for physics, chemistry and mechanics were completed in two months in accordance with the syllabus of first year of the diploma courses. The students had already covered the theory subjects of english, mathematics and science at a higher level during their higher secondary course. As such, open book tests were provided in lieu of lectures under the guidance of teaching staff, to serve as a refresher for theory subjects of first year. And as usual, all students enjoyed the physical training exercises in the morning and the perspiring engagements in athletics, hockey, football and other games in the evenings. The summer months were quite hot, but the students hardly had spare time to think about it. After following the rigorous routine of the preparatory classes for two months, they were looking forward with confidence for meeting enthusiastically the challenges, for the completion of the next two years of the diploma course in the incoming years.
Part time diploma courses in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering: We had a strong contingent of attendants and technicians who had developed sufficient skills in different workshop trades, where they happened to be working for five to ten years. They were playing a significant role in assisting the teaching staff, in the conduct of laboratory practicals, workshop jobs and field.work in addition to their involvement in regular maintenance jobs. Part time diploma courses in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering were started to provide an opportunity to them to upgrade their knowledge and skills and to enable them to become eligible for promotion and for better opportunities. The duration of the course was four years and it was run in the evenings for in-service people of the polytechnic, as also that of the engineering college and other government departments of the town, with practical working experience of five to ten years. The minimum qualification for admission was a pass in high school or secondary school examination. The first year of the course was conducted as an orientation course for making them comfortable in english, mathematics, science, workshops and drawing. All teaching was at their level and at their pace and they started looking forward for the next three years with a sense of optimism and confidence. It was like catching a bus, which they had missed earlier, due to lack of opportunities or family circumstances. When they graduated from first year to second year, their advanced years, maturity and professional experience provided a tremendous boost to their efforts and they could see light at the end of the tunnel. Working for six to eight hours in the day and then attending classes for four hours in the evening can take a toll on anybody. However, the days, months and years rolled on. They completed second year of the diploma course with comfortable grip on the basics and enjoyed third year and fourth year of the course with substantial inputs from their working experience. Upgradation of qualifications and getting recognition and opportunities of advancement were great motivating factors.
Admission of diploma holders in third year of the five year degree courses: Minimum qualification for admission to engineering colleges was higher secondary with english, physics, chemistry and mathematics. Due to limited seats in the engineering colleges, the candidates with less than 70% marks in the qualifying subjects did not stand any chance for admission to engineering colleges. These students usually sought admission to diploma courses in polytechnics. They were highly motivated students and performed very well in the polytechnic. To provide an incentive to these students, the state government issued an order for the reservation of 10% seats in third year of the five year degree courses in all branches of engineering in the MBM Engineering college for three year diploma holders of polytechnics on the basis of merit. This arrangement provided a tremendous boost to the polytechnics and the students who could not get admission in the engineering college, started rushing to polytechnics for admission to the diploma courses. Most of the diploma holders, who were admitted to MBM Engineering College under this scheme, performed very well and passed out amongst the top ten students in respective branch. Since then, the number of engineering colleges, number of polytechnics and number of seats in engineering colleges and polytechnics have gone up considerably. I understand that the good old order of the sixties for the lateral entry of diploma holders in engineering colleges still stands and the vacant seats of the engineering colleges are being filled by diploma holders.
Studentship and section A & B examinations of Institution of Engineers: Institution of Engineers is the premier body of engineers in India. It was established in the year 1920 and was awarded the royal charter in 1935. The membership of the Institution of Engineers of India exceeds two million and it ranks as the biggest professional body of engineers in the world. Pass in Sections A and B examinations of the Institution of Engineers is recognized as equivalent to a degree in engineering. We used to assist students of diploma courses in the polytechnic for getting enrolled as student members of the Institution of Engineers during their first year in the polytechnic. Most of the students appeared for Section A examinations during their second year in the polytechnic and in section B during their third year or soon after their third year. As soon as they cleared Sections A and Section B, they became eligible for direct recruitment or promotion to all posts for which the minimium qualification was a degree in engineering. Sections A and B examinations of the Institution of Engineers are extremely useful for diploma holders in engineering, who get opportunities to clear these examinations, subject by subject at their own pace.