Dr. Sanjay Mangala Gopal is currently the Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering at VJTI (Formerly Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute, now Veermata Jijabai Technical Institute, an autonomous engineering college affiliated to the University of Mumbai).
Dr. Gopal completed his graduation in 1979, and after working for two years in industry, he completed his post-graduation from VJTI in 1984. This was when he realised that teaching was a passion that gave him an adrenaline rush. Since then, he’s never stopped the urge to learn and has continued teaching students for over 30 years in VJTI itself. We interviewed Dr. Gopal on his thoughts about Engineering Education as it is today.                                                                          

1. What are your views on the decreasing JEE cut-offs in the Maharashtra engineering seat allocations?

Cut-offs change based on the policies decided by the different boards, and the number of engineering seats available in that year. Since these factors keep changing every year, comparing these cut-offs does not matter in the long run.                                                                                                                                          

2. How does parental pressure affect students’ mindset regarding their choice of study?  

Students are pressurized right from the 10th standard to opt for streams like Art, Science, Medical, Engineering, etc. I don’t think the majority of these students know exactly what they are getting into. Students make hasty decisions due to pressure or influence of the people around them, including their parents. I believe that students should go out, find the information required, and then make the decision themselves.

3. What do parents look for when they send their children to a specific college?

Parents look for what best suits their children. The college’s reputation and infrastructure should be the best for the child to study. But it is the student who has to decide on what suits them, not the parents.  

 4. Students opt for Science in 11th & 12th and aim to get into good engineering colleges. What if they are unable to get into colleges they were aiming for? How can they be helped?

 It’s about personal interest, what students want to pursue. Counselling has to be provided to them in their schools and colleges to help choose their fields of interest. On the basis of a student’s aptitude, they should be helped in designing their career path. Awareness and opportunity should be given to students by counselling conducted in every school and college. Such counselling does happen in a few schools and colleges. In VJTI, students working in the industry share their experiences with the final year students regularly. I also advise my students to keep in touch with their seniors for any help. Seniors are the best advisers as they share subject knowledge and understanding, and also understand the student’s mental requirements. Peer knowledge is also important, the experiences of a student’s peers can help them get correct information about what matters now. At the same time, students should avoid getting misled by peers, it has to be a combination of counselling, senior support, peer knowledge, and their own perspectives and ideas.

5. Do IITs and NITs, being such prestigious institutes, make a big difference with respect to other colleges?    

Every institute is different with respect to education and infrastructure. It is important to choose amongst them but it also depends on the student what they individually require. For example, IIT is residential and all students are forced to stay in the hostel, even if you live in the same city. It becomes tough for students who have to leave their parents in the most trying period of their young lives. Just because IIT students get good salaries and are known for good work doesn’t mean that all students will aim for IITs. It also depends on the student’s aptitude and interests.          

6. What’s your opinion on the Integrated Programs being conducted by coaching institutes, who state that such programmes build the basic foundation for students?                                                                        

 Integrated Programs mean that a college ties up with a coaching institute, and the students are taught by both sets of teachers. I think this is a ridiculous idea, I don’t know how these programs have got a formal place in the educational system today. Students think that these programs help save travel time, and one cannot really progress without such extra guidance. If we increase college fees, parents and students stand up in revolt, but they don’t have any problems paying the exorbitant fees these programs charge. These are pure businesses. Colleges should be teaching these basics themselves.    

 7. On a similar vein, what do you think about professors and lecturers having their own private coaching classes outside the college?               

They are not supposed to conduct such classes outside the college. There should be a check on such staff members, as there are policies that prohibit teachers from teaching in private classes, not only in Government but also unaided colleges.                      

8. Why is it important for students to wear uniforms in colleges?                     

 In engineering, especially in the first year, a lot of practical work is done by the students in labs and workshops. These activities require specific clothing to be worn, like lab coats and safety jackets. This is a safety issue, not just a matter of decency or students’ outfits. In any case, indecency of any sort is not allowed in any college.    

 9. You seem to be well-known amongst your students for taking seminars and being an active speaker. How do you respond to that?

[Laughs] That’s what my students say. Within the four walls of the institute, I try to provide whatever is possible for students beyond what the syllabus requires. If we get to know that an ex-student is visiting from elsewhere, say the USA or outside India or Mumbai, we invite them to come speak to our students for a couple of hours. They come happily. Such speaker interactions, industry interactions, industrial visits are held regularly. Even now, students from all years – second, third & fourth – will be out on summer internships in different companies. That is what we are here for. All my colleagues do the same.