Dr. Shah G.D., submitted to Modern Plastics & Polymers- Plastics @ Gujarat, for supplement March 2011 edition.

Published as 

Skill development- Fostering new talent  by Kymberlee Fernandes, rewiew interview of Dr. Shah G.D., Modern Plastics & Polymers- Plastics @ Gujarat, supplement March 2011 edition. pp 50-52.

 

JOURNEY OF PLASTIC TECHNOLOGICAL GROWTH FROM GLOBE TO GUJARAT

Dr. Mrs.G.D.Shah (PhD. Chemical Engg.) 
I/C Head Of Plastics Engg. Dept. 
Govt. Polytechnic.

Lord Krishna preferred Gujarat as the place to live in by residing at Dwarika. Since then, Gujarat has been a favoured state to live in and do business. Consequently, with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallbhbhai Patel the Technology and Gujarat has so developed that the Mountain is compelled to come to the Mohamed. No one can bypass the achievements of Gujarat. This is because both the CMs – The Chief Minister and the Common Man -- in Gujarat think for the development of Gujarat. The Chief Minister of Gujarat, H’ble Shri Narendra Modi, having the heart of Common Man of Gujarat has made the Gujarat State the most favoured destination of India for sharing technology and do Global business.

The Plastics Industry in Gujarat has also joined hands to hands with the vibrant drive of development of Gujarat. Gujarat has approximately 15,000 units of which @80% are in small scale sector having annual turnover of @10,000 crores. This happens to be @one fifth of the total industrial units of plastics in India. Gujarat is the second highest exporter of India in Plastic sector. The availability of raw material is the key asset of Gujarat plastic industry. More than 70% of polymers are manufactured in Gujarat which is @ 60% of total output of the Indian Petrochemical Industry. Gujarat plastic industry has achieved annual growth of @15-20% in past years. Looking to the present per capita plastic consumption of 8-10 kg in India as against 25-30 kg in the developed economies and 85-100kg in the highly developed economies, the potential of growth of plastic industry in Gujarat is massive. Today major international companies from various segments of industry like automobile, food processing and packaging have set up their large manufacturing plants in Gujarat. With the growth of per capita income and favourable government support the Gujarat entrepreneurs are motivated to acquire/hire technical expertise, to achieve high quality standards.

The growing market of the technology will increase the requirement of technical expertise in the industry. In order to meet the requirements of industry the intake capacity of Government Polytechnic Ahmedabad is increased to double its original capacity i.e. from 30 to 60 since academic year 2008. The proposal was made well in advance in year 2007. Also the syllabus is revised on regular basis. The Diploma Plastics Engineering is the only Diploma course having tenure of 4 years—8 semesters. It is sandwich pattern course offering two industrial training of 24 weeks each under Apprenticeship act at the 5^th and 8^th semester level. The student placement is almost 100% with a start of 5000/- to 10,000/- per month. The students also get an opportunity to serve abroad in countries like South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, U.S., etc. They also can opt for higher studies in India as lateral entry in 2^nd year degree engineering. As the tenure of this Diploma is of 4 years the students can get direct admissions at the Masters courses after obtaining credits of certain courses as may be prescribed by individual Universities/Program in various countries mentioned. Most of the Diploma pass outs find professional opportunities in various fields of plastics industry like servicing/maintenance, marketing, processing, machine manufacturing, testing and quality assurance, mould designing and fabrication field.

To satisfy the industrial needs of constant skill up gradation the department conducts special self sustaining short term programs under continuing education centre. The duration and contents for these programs are designed as per the industrial need.

The Department, through the community Polytechnic wing of the institute also conduct various skill based short term program for the development of rural community through technology transfer. The rural community is imparted skills like fibre reinforced plastics product manufacturing, acrylic fabrication, screen printing technology etc. These skills require low investment and have high market generating self employment.

The Department, through SPPWD Study centre of the institute runs various non formal courses of 3 months duration. These courses are designed to impart technical skill to the physically challenged persons. The duration of the courses is of 3 months. After 3 months the persons with disability acquire technical skill and professional competency related to various miscellaneous plastic processing techniques like fibre reinforced plastics product manufacturing, acrylic fabrication, screen printing technology etc. After completion of the course they are assisted for their employment and/or are motivated for self employment. The students are paid a monthly stipend as per the Government Norms. To satisfy the industrial and social needs the Department has well equipped laboratories and highly qualified, intelligent and dedicated faculty/staff.

ack of Well established and proven plastic recycling line for plastics, and ignorance towards the disposal of plastic waste has become an issue of major concern. This has lead to a worldwide drive for the development of biodegradable plastics. To deal with this and other such issues in future, the Department plans to start a plastics testing cum research centre. The major beneficiaries of the plan are the industries, who strive for the international/national standards, and the young/upcoming researchers, as they can get the research facility under one roof. The Department also observe a continuous recycling line in the department itself.

 

 The development of biodegradable polymer is dealt in my personal capacity by developing a degradable polymer/theory while pursuing the doctorate degree in chemical engineering. Various study and research articles have been published in various national and international journals with a mention of recycling trends, biodegradability and eco friendly use of plastics.

Looking to the growth rate of plastics industry the Department would like to develop a processing, mould fabrication and testing laboratory possessing   modern equipments. Although the Department has a well equipped laboratory, the equipments with modern technology are still missing.