e-ISSN: 2582-5208

International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science

( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:11/November-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com
EARN WHILE YOU LEARN – THROUGH INDUSTRY ON CAMPUS
Shajil Anthru*1
*1Principal, Government Polytechnic College, Attingal, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
ABSTRACT
The post-Covid era is full of challenges. Even before this epidemic, the economic depression had spread all over
the world, all over India, and all over our small state of Kerala. Since the pandemic was more dangerous than
the recession, everyone’s immediate attention went to it. It was not a topic of discussion. Many unanswered
questions are raised in the public domain in this era. At least some believed that all these questions will
evaporate in the heat of the pandemic. If the hardships of life in the post-Covid era increases, these questions
are sure to down shower to create a “societal anarchy.” No country in the world is immune from this menace. In
this context, real applause goes to those who enable a rapid discussion, decision and implementation on how to
change our lives in the post-Covid era, for the better for ourselves, society and the next generation. The answer
is to introduce Industry in Campus with an objective to assist students to Earn while you learn.
Keywords: Earn While You Learn, Industry On Campus, Polytechnics, Top Management Commitment.
I. INTRODUCTION
In 1908, Gandhi presented four important ideas to the Indian people. They were Swaraj, Ahimsa, Swadeshi and
Sarvodaya. In this, the word Sarvodaya is gaining relevance in this post-Covid era. The word Sarvodaya means
universal upliftment or prosperity for all.
In the society envisioned by Gandhiji, all members should be free from greed for material wealth and luxurious
living. They should follow the motto of simple living and high thinking. Everyone should have opportunities to
produce and earn enough through honest work for a dignified life. This is possible only when unemployment is
eradicated from the society. Naturally, the income of different people will vary depending on their ability and
effort. But those who earn more should use the major share of their large incomes for the greater good of
society.
We are now in a crucial turning point where material possessions and luxurious living are not enough to deal
with the post pandemic era. Many people want to reach their native land from other countries. He also wants to
spend the rest of his life in the care of his native land.
A question that remains is how to provide opportunities for everyone to produce and earn enough through
honest work for a dignified life. Gandhiji himself has given us a guideline for it. Gandhiji envisioned it would be
possible through the formation of self-help rural communities.
In such rural communities, there are no distinctions based on race, religion, caste, language, etc. Properly
planned agriculture can meet the needs of all people locally. Cottage industries can be run to provide
employment for all the people in the village. The entire needs of the village will be decided by the people of the
village itself through the village council.
Recall the model of Commune in Communism and Christian communist society based on the concept of
Koinonia just after the life of Jesus. When socialists and communists saw the commune as a model of the
liberated society, which would come after liberating people from capitalism, Gandhiji saw rural communities as
a model to mold the society so that a society does not come under capitalism.
II. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?
As far as Kerala is concerned, local governments and related agencies are moving forward strongly. Local
bodies have tremendous power and scope to reinforce the employment sector. The question before us is how to
develop the local employment sector and systematically provide decent and dignified employment for our
people. Kerala Government has planned and introduced various schemes for self-employed entrepreneurs. We
debate only the successful ones. Failing ventures can tear apart the founders and their families.
But in the current era, this is the only way to rise. But this requires business plans or products/services that are
sure to succeed. For that, we need a system that can provide guidance and mentor. If such a plan is to be
implemented, it should start from the schools and colleges
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[1957]
 e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:11/November-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com
III. EARN WHILE YOU LEARN
In Kerala there are 734 Arts and Science Colleges, 179 Engineering Colleges and 84 Polytechnics. This scheme
can be successfully conducted in these institutions. Similar projects have been implemented around the world.
This kind of movement is active in many parts of India itself. In some places, there are programs for students to
engage in some occupations like repair and maintenance inside educational institutions. But this is not
sufficient. An aim of the educational institutions should be to strengthen the existing local employment sector
and to bring up new employment sector according to the changed situation.
IV. BIRTH OF INDUSTRY ON CAMPUS IN KERALA
Government of Kerala entrusted ASAP to start Industry on Campus across Kerala with an aim to create a
“Kerala with Zero non-employability”. ASAP took the initiative and supplied equipment suggested by experts to
Polytechnics to start “Industries on campus”.
It is aimed at empowering Students, Society, Institution, Departments, Parents, Faculty, Industries and Higher
Education Institutes by facilitating Entrepreneurship development, Development of MSME culture among the
young generation, Enhancement of Employability, Empowerment of Global stakeholders, Inculcating
intellectual impetus, Earn while learn, Widening opportunity for placement, Technology transfer and its
application for common man, In-house research, Sustainable start-ups and production center, Technology
reciprocity and Promoting interdependence through the effective coordination of various cells, units and
committees in the institution.
ASAP took the lead as initiator and mentor, implementing this scheme since it has a wide network across the
state. Polytechnics under Government is the real implementing agency. They have sufficient knowledge/skill-
based human resources and infrastructure to implement “Industry On Campus”.
One may perceive this as a change and there are chances of resistance. But this way of thought and
implementing “Industry on Campus” is a transition which is absolutely necessary for our society and future
generation to sustain.
Jeff Hiatt created an ADKAR model for adapting to change.
 Awareness of the need for change
 Desire to take part and support the change;
 Knowledge of how to change;
 Ability to implement desired skills and behaviors and
 Reinforcement to sustain the change.
Top management has the primary role in inculcating this culture into the Polytechnics. They must know the
Kerala Government’s aim for implementing “Industry on Campus”. When an industry comes into an institution,
a production center is naturally formed, in which jobless alumni and students can take part. An industrial
culture is unknowingly built on the campus. Two direct outputs emerge. The first one is earning an income for
the work students do within the industry, and the second one is getting an experience from an industry while
learning, which will improve his/her prospects for employment. Lot of indirect benefits are there. As more and
more industries find spaces in institutions, Kerala will be considered as a more industrial friendly state. The
state can transform into a center of excellence for upcoming technologies. Employability will enhance and more
entrepreneurships from youth will emerge. One the need for change is change is understood by the top
management, they must take up the lead role to spread the awareness among all institutions and support the
activities to fulfill the policy of the Government. The knowledge of how to change will depend and vary in each
institution depending upon the existing geographical and cultural environment. Intentional intervention from
the top management to create an industry- institute ambience should take place in areas where there is a
sluggishness of approach. The ability to implement is already built in and untapped in every institution.
Reinforcement to sustain the change follows as a natural process.
V. IT IS NOT A HYPOTHETICAL CASE
One IOC is set up in an educational institution in all districts in Kerala.
Direct employment to this IOC = 100 X 14 = 1400

www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science

[1958]
 e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:11/November-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com
Indirect employment of IOC = 14 X 500 = 7000
Number of ancillary units that can be started in nearby institutions: 6
Number of direct employment in Ancillary unit = 100
Total number of direct employment from ancillary unit = 6 X 14 X 100 = 8400
Total number of indirect employment from ancillary unit = 6X 14 X 500 = 42000
Number of startups that can be started based on this IOC = 20
Number of direct employability that a startup can accommodate: 10
Total number of direct employment from startup = 20 X 14 X 50 = 14000
Anticipated indirect employability = 1500 X 14 =21000
Total employability during the first year of operation = 1400 + 7000 + 8400 + 42000+ 14000+ 21000 =93800
Total salary that can be disbursed = 93800X 16000 = Rs 1,48,80,00,000/-
Imagine a scenario in which each District is designated as Center of Excellence in the following domains:
1. Electric vehicles
2. Prefab Construction
3. Calibration of medical devices
4. Wind power systems
5. 3 D printing
6. Automated Cutting of garments
7. Automated Making of Die
8. Automated Mechanical Fabrication/Production
9. Assembling, Repair and installation of Solar products
10. Tablet PC/Mobile Assembling, Repair and installation
11. Printing
12. PCB Manufacturing, Component Assembly
13. Software Development
14. Automation using IOT/ Robotics
These themes will be the basis of IOC in each district, depending upon the resources and socioeconomic
feasibility of the district. Each IOC shall have the Ancillary units set up for the assembly, fabrication and testing
of the final product.
For example, with electric vehicles, the Suggested area of production /service which can be assigned to
interested polytechnics or Engineering Colleges nearby are:
1. Automated Mechanical Production line for vehicle /machine manufacturing
2. Battery Manufacturing unit
3. Aluminum Wheel and self-sealing tyres manufacturing
4. Electronic Control panel (Electric Conversion kit)
5. On board computer control systems
6. Dashboard Manufacturing unit using FRP
7. Manufacturing of Brushless DC Motor
8. Design, setting up of charging stations /Battery swapping stations in every educational institution.
Similarly, every IOC will have sub products which will be manufactured by the Ancillary units.

www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science

[1959]
 e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:11/November-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com
VI. EXAMPLES
Industry on Campus manufacturing various products in Government Polytechnic College, Attingal

Agri Tools Electric Auto Display boards

VII. CONCLUSION
The Government of Kerala has taken a policy to bring in “Industry on campus” for enhancing the employability
and livelihood of people. The benefits of this idea are many. Students gain a stipend every month for improving
their livelihood, students obtain an additional work experience certificate while they complete the studies,
students learn work ethics and professionalism during their studies, institute – industry gap get reduced,
economic status of the state get improved, more entrepreneurs and industries find a space in the State and a
new culture of rural/marginalized empowerment is inculcated.
VIII. REFERENCES
[1] Economic Review 2021 Government Of Kerala State Planning Board, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala,
India March 2022.
[2] Kerala Budget 2022-23.
[3] Jeff Hiatt , Adkar: A Model for Change in Business, Government and Our Company Paperback, 2006.
[4] Shajil Anthru, Speeches - https://www.youtube.com/@LitterateurTV/videos.

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[1960]