Recognizing the vast global career prospects for engineering graduates, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) is setting up a dedicated online platform for foreign language instruction. Starting from the 2025-26 academic year, this platform will offer courses in a variety of languages, including Japanese, German, and French, to better prepare students for an international workforce.
This significant move by VTU comes as a direct response to a proposal from M.B. Patil, the Minister for Large & Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, who advocated for integrating foreign language education into the engineering curriculum.
Why the Focus on Foreign Languages? Minister Patil Explains
In a recent letter to Higher Education Minister Dr. M.C. Sudhakar and VTU authorities, Minister Patil specifically recommended incorporating Japanese and German as elective language options within the university’s engineering programs.
Minister Patil highlighted a critical observation: many Indian engineering students struggle to find jobs in countries like Japan and Germany, even with impressive technical skills. He pointed out that the primary hurdle is often the language barrier, which hinders not only professional growth but also daily life. He emphasized that Japanese is widely considered a challenging language for non-native speakers, and in Germany, a solid grasp of the local language is essential for most employment and social interactions.
Patil further stressed the crucial importance of strengthening economic and industrial bonds between India and these powerful nations. He noted Germany’s position as India’s leading European trading partner, boasting extensive collaborations in engineering, manufacturing, and technology. Similarly, Japan plays a vital role as a strategic partner in India’s infrastructure and high-tech industries. This expanding presence of German and Japanese firms in India, coupled with the increasing global demand for Indian engineers, clearly demonstrates why linguistic proficiency is an invaluable asset for today’s graduates.
The Credit Point Dilemma and the Online Solution
VTU Vice-Chancellor S. Vidyashankar clarified the university’s approach. He explained that due to the existing 160-credit point structure for engineering programs, directly integrating foreign languages as elective courses wasn’t feasible. “Because of this, we opted to develop an entirely new online platform for foreign language education,” he stated. “This platform will offer students the flexibility to learn any language they choose, including Japanese, German, French, and many others. Students who are interested can simply register and pursue their language learning online.”