Dhirender Kaushik: Printing institutes have limited resources

What is the USP of the print and packaging industry in India?
The print and packaging sector in India is more vibrant than ever before. The packaging sector is currently the fifth largest sector of the Indian economy and is growing at 18% per annum. Currently, India is one of the largest exporters of printing and packaging products and provides all printing and packaging solutions to customers spread all over the world. 

As an educator, what have been the three biggest problems you have faced?
Lack of student participation in class activities, skewed student-teacher ratio, and limited resources.

How do you think these obstacles could be tackled creatively?
By equipping labs with the latest machines and equipment so that the best practical knowledge may be imparted. 

Which is your favourite subject and why is it important?
Gravure printing is my favourite subject because gravure is a major printing process widely used for food packaging and pharmaceutical packaging.

Today, you are a teacher. Who was your guru, and why so? 
Prof Anjan Kumar Baral is my guru, who not only taught me but always guided and motivated me. He has strong knowledge, excellent communication skills and all professional skills.

One innovation you implemented after listening to your student?
Hands-on, practical learning method.

Were you the minister of printing and packaging, how would you tackle the industry's problems creatively?
By providing uninterrupted electricity available to the industries and reducing the GST rate on raw materials required by them.

What ingredient do you seek among your young disciples?
The willingness to learn.

An article/listing in a publication that impressed you?
Need for Standardisation in Printing Industry, published in Printing Times.

Your present preoccupation in the field of research?
Designing an effective Curriculum for the programme.

One project which you are excited about?
Upgrading of labs in the department.

Assuming you can align with a print or packaging association, what would be the three most important things you would expect from it?
Availability of resources, availability of funds for R&D and research and availability of industry support.

The industry needs skilled professionals on the shopfloor, and different printing education institutes have been churning out printing professionals for decades now. Still, there seems to be a disconnect between industry and academia. Why? What do print teachers want from the industry? Read more in this series where PrintWeek asks 13 print gurus.