There has been education explosion in India during the post-Independence period which is marked by growing emphasis on technical education. This is welcome development because Technical Education is the foundation of a vibrant modern society committed to industrial development and poverty alleviation. India started with 53 polytechnics in 1947 which increased to about 480 in 1989 with an annual admission capacity around 75000. Another 140 institutions offer facilities for post graduate studies and research in Engg. and Technology with an annual capacity of 9500 students over and above such prestigious institutions as IITs. There is spectacular development of technical education in our country with third largest force of technocrats in the world. In spite of this, there are certain deficiencies in our Technical Education System. There is a feeling that our technical people tend to be more theoretical than practical. Japanese and German engineers can sit down and open a machine without their clothes getting dirty. Our engineers would like to supervise the work being done by their subordinates. Against the above background, we are glad to bring out this Encyclopaedia of Technical Education in 25 Volumes. This monumental work highlights the multifaceted problems of technical education in our country. It will not only help the teachers of today in Innovating and conducting research. Keeping abreast of the exponential growth in knowledge and develop students who want to pursue such studies. In addition it would render useful service to the industries who always look for trained technologists and scientists to meet their growing requirements.
