Engineering Study and Engineering Work : Challanges in Nepal

 

Study and work are two parts which are often discussed in the educational field. We all study to become something or someone who is expert in our field. These are some of the features of civil engineering study and civil engineering work.

Civil Engineering Study

Theoritical Foundations :- Engineering study mainly focus on theoritical approach. Students have to gain the already studied and researched topics to get along with it. It is mainly focuses on physics, mathematics and related engineering fields.

Study Enviroment :- It is mainly occurs in a peaceful and harmonic teaching environment. Students will be guided in a colleges, universities or other educational institutes.

Curriculum :- Civil Engineering study have a curriculum. One must have to complete more than 120 credits course to complete engineering. These curriculum is designed to gain the knowledge on theories, practical knowledge and principles of engineering.

Research and Project Works :- Students have opportunity to  research in the related field to refine knowledge and finding the solution to research problems. Projects works related to civil engineering field are to be done to gain the basics principles behind it.

Preparation for professional Practices :- After completing the theoretical knowledge , students are provided with trainings and Internship. In some universities it is compulsory to do a internship where students have to involve in ongoing projects. Trainings are provided by universities, field visits are done and talk show may be organized to give a glimpse of working environment in the field.

 Civil Engineering Work

Application of Knowledge :- Engineering work involves applying the theoretical knowledge obtained from the engineering study to real field.

 Professional Environment :- There are professional environment everywhere in engineering works. Engineers should work from in a timely manner, stay in norms of the company. These professional environment may differ from place to place.

Team Collaboration :- Engineers have to work in multidisciplinary environment. There are different faculty groups of people like Project Administration, Project manager, Design team, Consultant, Contractors, Client etc.

Problem Solving :- Very new problem arises in day to day activities while working. Engineers should be able to handle these problems while considering projects cost, quality and time.

Project management :- More or less after sometimes civil engineers need to have project management skills and have to deal with the planning, scheduling, construction and management according to their level of experience.

Engineering Education and Work in Nepal

 Civil Engineering study requires a lot of hard work and mainly focuses on the making strong theoretical foundations for the civil engineering works. In the context of Nepal, there is some mismatch between the education and civil engineering works. Some of the mismatch are as follows.

Theory-heavy Curriculum :- Engineering course in Nepalese universities is theory heavy curriculum and it provides good foundations for theoretical knowledge while making gap between practical and work useful contents.

Limited Practical Exposure :- In most of the university and colleges, there is limited practical trainings for the students. Some of the colleges don't have sufficient necessary practical tools for students to gain hand on experience.

Outdated Curriculum :- When the world is rapidly increasing towards technological advancement. Universities still teach students the things very old and course design for 10-20 years early. It makes the very large gap between the study and work in the real field.

Lack of Industry Collaboration :- There is a very few collaborations with industries. This make it difficult to stay upto date to the newer advancement of the technologies, industry trends and skills required.

Limited Job Opportunities :- There is very limited job opportunities for civil engineering graduates in Nepal in spite of the facts that it is developing country and have a huge scope of civil engineering. Students after graduation don't get the job as per qualifications and over qualified people do serve in smaller post. Which is very frustrating experience.

To address these challenges in the field of engineering and to fulfill the gap between Engineering study and education these measure should be done.

Curriculum Reform :- It is required to research and reform the study curriculum to fit the emerging students in the real world field. This curriculum should be compromising of both theoretical and practical experience.

Industry Partnership :- Colleges and Universities should collaborate with Industry to make the students aware of the technological advancement , facilitate the internship programs, industry sponsored programs and ensure that the students are prepared for real world problem solving.

Professional Development :- On the hands training, seminars and workshops can be done to improve the students soft skills and can be prepared for the new working environment.

Government Support :- Government should be more focused on promoting industry-education collaboration, invest in infrastructure and technology and support more entrepreneur and make a more conductive environment and make a bridge between Study and Work.