Varsity to offer ‘Gandhian engineering’

In an effort to make affordable technology accessible to the common man, the University of Mumbai will soon establish a chair in Gandhian Engineering.

The recommendation was given at the university’s management council meeting, which was held recently.

The idea is to use the findings of science and technology in areas that will be beneficial to many.

Gandhian Engineering, innovation-led inclusive growth, is a term coined by scientist R.A. Mashelkar on the lines of social engineering.

The university has acted on a suggestion that Mashelkar made during his oration at the university’s Kalina campus.

“The concept is ‘Doing More with Less for More by More and More People’. Even a simple research can produce results that can have large scale impact by reaching out to masses and is affordable,” said a senior university official, who spoke to Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity.

Examples of Gandhian Engineering comprise anything that is helpful to a larger section of society — right from the Jaipur foot that is affordable to the poor to the Rs 1-lakh Tata Nano which will be within the reach of the rising middle-class in India.

While an eminent person will head the chair, the formulation of a course or research areas will be decided upon at the academic council meeting.

The budgetary provisions for the same will be made at the senate meeting to be held in March.