THE EDUCATIONAL ASPECT OF ENGINEERING CARS – December 2015

WE TALK TO MR. NARESH SHIMPI. HOD OF AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERING AT SVP POLYTECH. MUMBAI ABOUT THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF STUDYING CARS

Can you tell us a little more about what a diploma in automobile engineering entails?
Automobile Engineering is a branch of engineering discipline which studies the operating principles of the automobiles by incorporating various elements of engineering such as mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering. The study of automotive engineering is to design, develop, fabricate, and testing vehicles or vehicle components from the concept stage to production stage. Production, development, and manufacturing are the three major functions in this field.
Automobile Engineers are mainly divided into three streams such as production or design engineering focuses on design components, testing of parts, coordinating tests, and system of a vehicles; Development domain is concerned with performance, durability, and speed of the vehicle; and Manufacturing domain deals with the creation and assembling the whole parts of automobiles. The automotive engineering field is research-intensive and involves direct application of mathematical models and formulas.

What is the scope for automobile engineering in India?
In 1993, India was ranked second largest manufacturer of two wheelers, fifth in commercial vehicles and fifth in passenger cars (beating Thailand, one of the toughest competitor in this sector). In the last seven years the volume in auto industry of the country grew by 11.6% making it one of the top contributor of GDP. As of 2010, India is home to 40 million passenger vehicles. More than 3.7 million automotive vehicles were produced in India in 2010 (an increase of 33.9%), making the country the second (after China) fastest growing automobile market in the world in that year. India has attracted many foreign giants like Hyundai, Suzuki, BMW, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Ford, Fiat, Honda, Chevrolet (of General Motors), Toyota, Lamborghini, Jaguar, and Eicher. Apart from them we have TATA, Mahindra, Hero Moto corp who has good reputation even outside India. India has roughly 3700 factories across the country. An average firm makes an annual revenue of US$6 million with a profit closing to US$400 thousand.
We are also one of the top exporters of automobiles and auto products just behind Japan and South Korea. India keeps on exploring in this field. There is also components manufacturing, which once again a huge area. So yes there is a huge scope for automotive engineers in India.

From an education perspective, what are the essential characteristics for someone pursuing a diploma in automobile engineering?
A career as an automobile engineer is for people who are driven and passionate about cars or bikes. They must have considerable understanding and interest in mechanics, electronics, and mathematics as these are vital skills required for this career path. Automobile Engineers must have aim goal of his life. There should be vision which helps them to achiev etheir goals. Automobile engineers must be organized individuals who are able to work in a methodical manner. Automotive engineer jobs need constant up gradation of skills to keep pace with technological advancements. Many of automotive engineering graduates also join defense services of the country. Some even setup own business venture or take up traditional teaching profession.

Can you tell us a little about your student’s accomplishments?
Arpit Desai and Punit Shanghavi (AE6E) got first prize for paper published in the event “Integreat” organized by L&T Institute of Technology in the Academic Year 2012-2013.
In the current academic year 2015 – 2016, Monil Shah and RahilModi published a paper on vehicle safety International Journal for Scientific Research & Development. Our current academic year students are focusing more on identification of alternative fuels for vehicles.