Showing posts with label design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label design. Show all posts

Sunday, February 10, 2019

How to impart Training

HOW TO IMPART TRAINING 
Musings of a Veteran Trainer 
By
VIKRAM KARVE

Training Strategy is the sine qua non for the efficacy of a Training Programme.

In fact 
 Training Strategy is the basis for Training Design and Implementation. 


That is why  the first thing I used to do before designing a training programme – was to reflect, explore, consider, analyse and decide as to which Training Philosophy is relevant to the context in the particular Training Need and Environment. 


TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
There are 3 basic Training Philosophies:

1.Confucian Training Philosophy

2. Zen Training Philosophy

3. On-the-job Training Philosophy

You must formulate your Training Strategy as per your Training Philosophy. 


Thus  Training Philosophy is the foundation  the core  of the Art of Training.

CONFUCIAN TRAINING PHILOSOPHY 

The Objective of Confucian Training Philosophy is:

The Aim of Training is to Qualify the Trainee for a more Important Job.

In other words 
 Training is inextricably linked with Career Advancement.


Most Military Training Courses are based on the Confucian Training Philosophy.

Since Confucian Type Training is primarily for promotion  if the training is not followed by promotion or career advancement quickly enough  non-realization of expectations may create frustration and resentment in the trainee. 


ZEN TRAINING PHILOSOPHY 

The Objective of Zen Training Philosophy is:

The purpose of training is continuous improvement in performance.

The emphasis here is on “continuous improvement”.


The Aim of Training is to improve the Present Performance of the Trainee – by focusing on excellence in work and self-development. 

Zen Type training aims at strengthening the inner urge and enhancing requisite skills for work-excellence and job-satisfaction  without the trainee expecting any tangible material reward or career advancement due to the training.


ON THE JOB TRAINING

And  of course  if you want to avoid a formal training programme altogether  there is always my favourite good old time-tested On-The-Job Training philosophy which is breathtaking in its simplicity:


“Entrust a man with responsibility  and then tell him to get on with the job...!”


It is called “On the Job Training” and it always works – you can take my word for it...!!! 

The Navy believes in “On the Job Training” – and – during my Navy Days – I saw the efficacy of “On the Job Training” – especially on Ships. 

In my next blog post – I will tell you a hilarious story on On-The-Job Training.

TRAINING versus EDUCATION

Hey 
 Dear Reader – can you this please tell us the difference between Training and Education.


Is there a difference between 
Training” and “Education...? 

The difference between Training and Education is explained below. 

In my opinion  the difference between Training and Education is as follows:


1. The Aim of Training is to develop the required Skills in the Trainee

2. The Aim of Education is to enhance the Knowledge of the Student


In a nutshell:

Training pertains to skill development 

Education pertains to knowledge” enhancement 

If so  what are various “Education Philosophies” akin to “Training Philosophies”...?

Hey 
 you Academics and Thinkers and Educationists out there.


Please throw some more light on this subject  so that we don’t confuse Training with Education  and vice versa. 



FOOD FOR THOUGHT

In a developing country like India – we need a skilled workforce.

Sadly – in India – we focus too much on Education. 

We have too many highly qualified individuals who are unemployable because they do not have the requisite skills.

Even Engineering and Technology Courses focus more on bookish knowledge than practical skill development.

Owing to this – most industrial organisations have to conduct induction training to develop the requisite skills  and make these degree engineers ready for work on the shopfloor – to put is metaphorically – and even I have had the opportunity to conduct Induction Training for newly recruited engineers and scientists.

Indian needs SKILL DEVELOPMENT – and – to achieve this – we have to focus more on TRAINING – rather than Degree Oriented Bookish EDUCATION.

We keep opening IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology)

But - in actual fact: 

We need more ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes).

In any case – most IIT students migrate abroad, mainly to USA, for lucrative careers and to realize their American Dream

S India does not gain much from IITs.

On the other hand – ITI trainees work in Indian Industries.

We need more ITIs – maybe an ITI in each district.

So – we should proliferating IITs – and start opening ITIs instead.

Yes – in order to achieve skill development  India needs more ITIs than IITs.


VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:
All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)
     
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
 

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Mumbai Memories – Empress Court

MUMBAI MEMORIES 

I Spent the Six of the Best Years of My Life in Mumbai – 6 glorious years from the years 2000 to 2006.

During these 6 best years of my life  I lived in EMPRESS COURT  my all time favourite home – the best house I have ever lived in during my entire life.

I wish I could have had my retirement home in that lovely neighbourhood  or nearby  but then  can an honest Naval Officer afford a house in South Mumbai...?

Maybe a Merchant Navy Officer can afford a house in So Bo (South Bombay) – but if you have spent your life honestly serving the nation in the “Fauji Indian Navy  forget about Mumbai  you will not be able to afford a home in the heart of Pune  and  you would probably have to settle down in some faraway suburb like Wakad or Baner or Kharadi  or  in one of those military veteran “fauji ghettos” like Mundhwa, Kondhwa or Mohammadwadi  where most retired defence service officers have settled down.

But in your mind’s eye  you can always hark back  and relive your “good old days” with nostalgia. 

That is what I am going to do in the next few blog posts – I will reminisce about my glorious Mumbai days.

Here is the first post – on Empress Court

EMPRESS COURT 
My Home in Mumbai For the Six Best Years of My Life
By 
VIKRAM KARVE
 
The next time you visit South Mumbai  go to Churchgate, admire the beautiful Art Deco style façade of the Eros Cinema, an architectural landmark, which marks the beginning of the Art Deco district of Oval Precinct.

Then  start walking southwards down Maharshi Karve Road  passing Eros  and – Sundance Cafe to your right  the verdant Oval Maidan across the road to your left.
 
Keep walking past splendid Art Deco buildings like Court View, Queens Court, Greenfield, Windsor, Rajesh Mansion.

Stop at the T-junction with Dinsha Vachha Road  look across the road  and  you will see the most magnificent building of them all – Empress Court.
 
Pause for a moment to appreciate the splendid pista green building with its exquisite façade. 

Then cross Dinsha Vachha road  walk towards Empress Court – enter the building through the elegant entrance of Empress Court  climb up the wooden spiral staircase to the second floor (or  if you prefer – ride up in the ornate lift)  and  ring the doorbell.

If you had come around 15 years earlier 
 maybe  I would have opened the door – for this is the place where I spent the six best years of my life.

Oh yes! 

How can I ever forget Empress Court – the best house I have ever lived in.
 
Let’s go in.

A huge hall 
 dining room to the left  drawing room to the right  airy windows  and a cute circular balcony.

Stand in the Balcony 
 and  admire Mumbai University’s Rajabai Clock Tower right in front of you across the Oval  the High Court to its left  and Old Secretariat to the right.

All the buildings across the Oval are iconic Gothic Style majestic structures in stone.
 
Walk through the airy cool rooms  each with a balcony with excellent views. 

Open the doors and windows  and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze. 

It’s heavenly. 

Words cannot describe the blissful delight I felt when I lived here in Empress Court. 

Close your eyes and think of GB Mhatre  the architect who crafted and designed this elegant apartment house.
 
Empress Court  facing the Rajabai Clock Tower – is located on the western side of the Oval – and  is a part of the heritage Fort Precinct. 

The lush green Oval Maidan  a Grade I Heritage Precinct  an open space colonial pattern esplanada of scenic beauty  acting as a buffer between two architectural period styles:

1. The Gothic buildings of the Mumbai University  the Bombay High Court  and – the Old Secretariat to the East of the Oval (Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Marg earlier called Mayo Road)

and
 
2. Art Deco district to its West of the Oval (Maharshi Karve Road earlier called Queens Road)

 
The location of Empress Court is ideal.

There is the Oxford Bookstore next door 
 where I spent delightful hours browsing books on elegant orange rocking chairs  refreshing myself with delicious cups of invigorating teas in the Cha Bar.

Just a short walk across Shankar Jaikishen Chowk 
 and past the Cricket Club of India (CCI) – and  you are on Marine Drive. 

Opposite Empress Court is the lush green Oval Maidan  ideal for brisk walks in the mornings and evenings  and rollicking times playing with your pets.

The Business and Art districts, education, museums, sightseeing, shopping, good food, entertainment, night life, clubs, sports, bus and railway stations – everything is so nearby. 

You are right in the centre of everything that’s happening in Mumbai.
 
I shall never forget the clock atop Mumbai University Rajabai Tower – whose chimes woke me up at 6 every morning – to watch the glorious spectacle of the metamorphosis at sunrise  as the sun rose every morning  between the tall Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Building and the Rajabai Clock Tower.

How can I forget the soothing green Oval Maidan  the Football Matches at the Cooperage nearby – just down the street  and – the calm tranquil soothing sunsets on Marine Drive.
 
Thank you Empress Court ...!!!

I shall always cherish the 6 years I spent with you 
 yes six glorious years from 2000 to 2006 – the best years of my life  in the best place I have ever lived in

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:
This Story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

Friday, March 11, 2016

Do you know the difference between Science, Technology and Engineering?

Do you know the difference between Science, Technology and Engineering?

Can you tell me what is the difference between a Scientist  Technologist  and  an Engineer

I remember that I had been asked a similar question about the definition of Science, Engineering and Technology many years ago when I used to conduct an induction training program – and – in response – in addition to answering the question – I had written a blog post on the subject.

Let me delve into my academic writing journal archives and pull out this post which I had written more than 8 years ago  in the year 2008 – during my Professorship days...

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING
Meaning and Definition
By 
VIKRAM KARVE

From my Academic Writing Archives:

Here is an article I wrote during my teaching days, while conducting an induction training program, more than 8 years ago, in the year 2008...

SCIENCE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY   SCIENTIST, ENGINEER, TECHNOLOGIST    What is the Difference...?

Long back, during my teaching days, once when I was talking to some youngsters undergoing an induction training program, I realized that they did not know the difference between Science, Engineering and Technology. 

Some of the trainees had degrees in Technology (B.Tech. / M.Tech.), some had degrees in Engineering (B.E. / M.E.) and a few had degrees in Science (B.Sc., B.S., M.Sc., M.S).

I called two trainees.

One had a B.Tech. (Bachelor of Technology) degree in Electrical Engineering.

The other had a B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering) degree in the same discipline.

I asked then what was the difference between a B. Tech. degree and a B.E. degree?

They were clueless.

I asked all the trainees if they knew the difference between Science, Engineering and Technology?

No one seemed to know.

Tell me  do you know the difference between Science, Engineering and Technology?

In many research organizations  like DRDO – even Engineers and Technologists are designated as Scientists. 

Do you know what is the difference between Science, Technology and Engineering?

Can you tell me what is the difference between a Scientist, Technologist and an Engineer

Let me try to elaborate  in as simple a way as possible.


SCIENCE and the SCIENTIST

Science is the reasoned investigation or study of natural phenomena with the objective of discovering new principles and knowledge of natural phenomena.

The principal goal of a Scientist is to publish a research paper. 

Now-a-days, the sheer manner in which so many papers are churned out it seems that many research papers are seen to be written and not written to be seen.

Of course, a genuine Scientist will try and ensure that a research paper must be written to be seen and not seen to be written


TECHNOLOGY and the TECHNOLOGIST

Technology is the practical application of science.

Technology
 includes the skill, technique and knowledge of the manipulation of nature for human purposes, using scientific results and knowledge.

The principal goal of a Technologist is to produce some physical change in the world


ENGINEERING and the ENGINEER 

Engineering is the professional art of using technology (the practical application of science) for achieving the optimum conversion of the resources of nature for the benefit of humankind.

In order to exploit technology, the engineer applies scientific principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, machines, processes and systems. 

The principal goal of an Engineer is to design, create and produce new tools, machines and systems for practical human means by exploiting technology.

 
WHO IS MOST USEFUL TO SOCIETY  SCIENTIST TECHNOLOGIST or ENGINEER?

In a nutshell:

Scientist studies nature

Technologist manipulates nature 

an Engineer exploits technology for human purposes.

While Scientists may, at times, may conduct scientific studies for the sake of discovery, Engineers and Technologists always try to have in mind the ultimate benefit of humankind and results of their work are invariably beneficial for human purposes.

Engineering is the art of optimally using technology and is primarily concerned with how to direct to useful and economical ends the natural phenomena which scientists discover and formulate into acceptable. 

Engineering therefore requires the creative imagination to innovatively apply technology in order to obtain useful applications of natural phenomena. 

It seeks newer, cheaper, better technologies of using natural sources of energy and materials. 

Science pertains more to Academic Education whereas Engineering is related to Skill Development.

It will primarily Engineers who can make the recent Make in India” campaign a success.
 
So it looks like the Engineer is the one who is most useful to society and humankind  isnt it?

Dear Reader  do you agree? 

Or do you feel that the Scientist is more important that the Engineer? 

Or do you think there is no difference between Science, Technology and Engineering? 

Please do give your views and comments.


ENGINEERING  Definition

A Gobbledygook Definition of ENGINEERING

Now I have tried to tell you in as simple a way as possible, but if you prefer Gobbledygook read on:

The American Engineers Council for Professional Development  has defined Engineering as follows: 
 
Engineering is:

The creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes, or works utilizing them singly or in combination; or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions; all as respects an intended function, economics of operation and safety to life and property


WHY INDIA IS STILL TECHNOLOGICALLY BACKWARD DESPITE INVESTING SO MUCH MONEY AND HUMAN RESOURCE IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

India could not capitalize on its Scientific Developments since our Engineering and Technology were weak. 

There is no use pursuing scientific research without strong engineering capability and robust technological base

There is no use inventing and discovering new things if you cannot utilize your inventions and discoveries for the benefit of mankind.


CONCLUSION

I think I will end with a quote:

A good Scientist is a person with original ideas. 
A good Engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible. 
There are no Prima Donnas in Engineering
                                                                     ~ Freeman Dyson 

Now – you tell me – who do you think is most useful to society – a Scientist – a Technologist  or – an Engineer...?

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:
All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)