Community Polytechnic
Scheme is a scheme sponsored by the Govt. of India since 1978-79
under the then Ministry of Education and Culture, and continued till
date under the Ministry of Human Resources Development.
Under this scheme, the Govt. of India had selected a few Polytechnics in the country, known as Community Polytechnics, to act as focal points to promote the transfer of Science and Technology to the rural sector and by themselves or in collaboration with other Govt. Agencies make their contribution to rural development.
Shillong Polytechnic was also selected as one of the Community Polytechnics to work for rural .development in the year 1985-86. However, at the initial stages it could not take up any of the major activity except the Socio-Economic survey in some of the villages in the vicinity of the Polytechnic Campus.
In the year 1994-95, the Community Polytechnic Cell attached to the Shillong Polytechnic started its first Manpower Development Programme in collaboration with Meghalaya State Transport Corporation to impart training in Motor Driving (Light Vehicle) and Auto Mechanics. Thereafter the activities gradually increased in various trades.
Most of the Training programmes are being conducted in the Main Centre, i.e. the Shillong Polytechnic Campus. However at present we have extension Centres of the Community Polytechnic at (i) Rilbong in East Khasi Hills District (ii) Umroi, in Ri Bhoi District (iii) Mairang in West Khasi Hills District and (iv) Marshilong, in West Khasi Hills District.
A few more Extension centres are contemplated to be open; 111 some more rural Areas, and also some more trades are in the process of implementation.
|
The main aims of the Community Polytechnic can be highlighted as under:
(1) Socio Economic Survey: To interact with the rural community, make a survey and obtain information’s to ascertain their needs and identify the direction in which rural development efforts are likely to bring quicker results.
(2) Transfer of Technology : To organize programmes to enable the villagers to indicate the normal methods adopted by them in their daily activities, develop a better techniques and implements and teach them to adopt the modem developed techniques and implements.
(3) Man Power Development: To impart training and teach the local people the basic skills, knowledge and attitudes to practice any occupational activity that will lead to gainful employment in their own village, and also training for upgrading the skills in their own fields. This sort of training is crucial in the context of Technology transfer, and it helps the people in equipping themselves with the adoption and use of modem techniques and implements and maintenance of equipments.
(4) Technical Service: To organize technical service camps at regular intervals, and undertake minor repairs on the jobs at site, through trained man-power. To also promote service centres and repair shops to be set-up by the villagers themselves and also consultancy services at village levels through trained man-power.
(5) Support Service: This is in addition to the technical service mentioned above, the villagers may need support of other kinds to improve professionally, to widen the scope of activities and enhance productivity. Such need may be more encouragement/boost, guidance in getting loans, supply of raw materials, development pf marketing facilities etc.
(6) Dissemination of Information: This involves publication, distribution of Technical literatures containing information on improved, adopted and new technologies suitable for rural needs, and also include guidance as to where to obtain the required raw materials etc. how to get loans etc.
(7) Co-operatives/Self help group: Helping the villagers to organize self help group and co-operatives overall departments, improvement in lifestyle, beautification of the environment and enrichment of social and cultural life.
1. Project Co-ordinator : O. Ropmay, Principal, Shillong Polytechnic.
2. Project Engineer : One full time Project Engineer
3. Assistant Project Engineers : Two Assistant Project Engineers (Part time)
4. Office staff : One Dealing Assistant/Accountant (Full time)
5. Cashier : One Cashier (Part time)
6. Instructors : One full time Instructor at the main centre
One full time Instructor at the extension centres
The main activity that the Community Polytechnic had rendered since the beginning is the man power development, which initially, is carried out only at the main centre, but subsequently carried out at the Extension Centre also.
The Community Polytechnic imparts a short- term course of usually 6 (six) months duration in various trades, tree of any charges and the intake of trainees is Limited to 15(fifteen) per batch per trade. Before starting any course the advertisement is given in leading local News Papers to enable the aspirants to apply for the same this is followed by selection of the trainees through personal Interview.
Besides, the above, the Community Polytechnic also undertake training in collaboration with an) Government Department or any other agencies. The duration of such course is being decided jointly, for an) candidates sponsored by the departments of agencies.
The Community Polytechnic designs its own course curriculum, and even in these cases of collaboration with other agencies also the curriculum is designed by the Community Polytechnic.
|
