Jawaharlal Nehru dreamt of bringing welfare, work force and wealth to the nation and make it self-reliant through the application of science and technology. How much of the dream has been realized by India today can easily be visualized. There is a need for revamping the technical education to reorient ourselves to local and global perspectives, to be innovative and competitive in technology, and to relentlessly pursue excellence. Some steps to be taken in this regard include, design-oriented courseware and teaching, introducing manufacturing and entrepreneurship development programs, importance to laboratory practice in the curriculum and dissertation work, and using a syllabus that is sensitive to local and global demands. On the part of the industry, initiatives are essential for enhanced R&D for innovative product development and quality assurance with the help of academic institutions. Willing linkage between the industry and academic institutions for a joint effort on engineering curriculum development and its planning and implementation will greatly enhance the situation and provide a dynamic academic environment in the institutions. Science and technology entrepreneur parks, councils and societies of technical education and academic bodies have a major and active role to play in the present scenario to help in the above-mentioned enhancements and plan for wealth generation in our country.

Career Building: The world of work is rapidly changing. In a dynamic economy like ours, developments in technology generate the need for new occupations. As a result old careers change and new careers develop. Hence, individuals need to be self-directed and adaptable. They must be able to find the best fit between their values, interests, needs, abilities and the economic opportunities that exist around them. In such a scenario, making decisions about the future can be a difficult task for anyone. Hence, career guidance is the need of the hour.

"Vocational training is not charity, it's a compulsion in today's changing world". "There should be many entry points after class X and XII. The system should be such that if anyone wants to opt out and go for a vocational course, he or she should have the opportunity." The concept of `lifetime employment' ceases to exist today. As a consequence, flexibility and job insecurity are seen as important features of the new work environment. It is important for a potential employee to identify jobs/careers that link to their interests and aptitudes. A healthy career is one that continues to grow and helps to increase one's level of competency.