MSMEs need support from the engineering institutes for solving their problems. A novel method has been suggested. The postgraduate students undertake to find a solution through their dissertation.

1. Collaborative
Dissertations Based on
the Human Resource
Needs of MSMEs, etc.
Thanikachalam Vedhathiri, B.E., M.Tech., Ph.D., M.S., FIE., FIGS., FFIUCEE
Fmr. Prof. of CIA, NITTTR, Chennai, India
vthani2025@gmail.in

2. Dissertation Focus on the Problems of MSMEs
• Identification of Problems in Production
• Quality
• Safety
• Productivity
• Selection of Employees
• Training
• Front End Analysis
• Performance Assessment
• In-house Training
• Leadership
• Environment
• Ergonomics

3. A Simple Social Enterprise
 NITTTR address a basic unmet need of MSMEs or
Polytechnic Colleges or Government Enterprises through a
solution driven Approach,
 The Graduates are not paid.
 No consultancy fee.
 The graduates are exposed to real-life problems
 They use their dissertation work to identify the problem,
develop objectives, prepare research questions and collect
data, then solve.
 They prepare solutions and validate them.

4. Social Innovation
Finding implementable solutions for a whole
range of problems of MSMEs in managing
market share, profitability, quality, safety, cost
and sustainability under fast changing
demands of industry.

5. Turning to MSMEs/ Polytechnic
Colleges/Government Enterprises
The power of interdisciplinary postgraduate
departments is growing with millennials at the
forefront.
Postgraduates are expected to possess industry
relevant competencies
Knowledge capital is to be used to solve complex
problems of MSMEs/ Polytechnic Colleges/
Government Enterprises.

6. Purpose of Industrial Collaboration
• Training the Executives
• Assessment of Problems
• Productivity
• Safety
• Energy Management
• Modernization
• Training the Employees
• Value analysis
• Quality Assurance
• HRIS
• Supply Chain Management

7. Micro Small & Medium Enterprises
MSMEs Context

8. Collaboration with Micro Small and Medium
Enterprises

9. Courses Completed in the first Three
Semesters
 Strategic Management
 Training Needs Analysis
 Instructional Design
 Industrial Psychology
 Social Psychology
 Computer Programming
 Instructional Package Development
 Multimedia
 Organizational Development

10. Courses Completed in the First Three
Semesters
 Research Methodology
 Financial Management
 Educational Video Production
 Institutional Development
 Human Resource Development
 Human Resource Management

11. Needs for Collaboration with MSMEs
 Based on the Human Resource Needs of MSMEs
 To improve the Competitiveness of MSMEs
 To overcome the disruption due to Advanced Technology
 Many MSMEs are NOT supported by State Industrial Development
Corporations and Banks
 Many MSMEs could NOT face the quality standards on global
competition
 Many closed their units
 They do NOT get funds to get assistance from the governments

12. Multidisciplinary Postgraduate HRD
Program (M. Tech[HRD])
 Started in 2001 at National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research
(SR), Chennai
 An Affiliated Program of the University of Madras
 19 Engineering Students per batch; Four Semester Program
 Courses offered: Industrial Sociology, Industrial Psychology, Computer
Applications, Multimedia, Training Needs Analysis, Human Resource
Development, Human Resource Management, Strategic Management,
Organizational/ Institutional Development, Research Methodology, Financial
Management, and Dissertation.
 Third Semester, one session has been devoted for dissertation
 Fourth Semester was allocated for Dissertation

13. Critical skills
• Assessment Skills
• Identification of causes for low
productivity
• Training
• Manufacturing Process
• Ergonomics
• Tools
• Job Aids
• Environment
• Interpersonal Relations
• Leadership
• Performance Evaluation and
Feedback

14. Dissertations are based on the MSMEs
Problems
Successful Solutions
Industry Ready Graduates
with Skills

15. Basis of Dissertation
 Active Problem- Solving, Critical Thinking, Collaborative Learning, Meeting the
Challenges of Disruptions, etc.
 Selecting a Live Problem of MSMEs/ Government Engineering Departments/
Polytechnic Colleges
 Visiting the Organization, meeting the Management & Workers, and Collecting
the Issues on Various Disruptions
 Identifying the Research Problem for Dissertation, Conducting Literature survey,
Generating the Objectives, Developing Questionnaire, Distributing it to the Stake
Holders, Collecting, Analyzing, Drawing Inferences, Proposing Possible Solutions.
 Discussing Solutions with the Management and Selecting the Best Solution for
Further Refinement.

16. Impact
Solutions and Validation Impact on the MSMEs

17. Social Impact Investment
Providing implementable solutions
addressing technical difficulties of MSMEs,
etc.
Improving the sustainability of MSMEs, etc.
The graduate lead consultancy aims to foster
economic return and achieving social
outcomes.

18. Sample Problems
 HR Policies
 Acquiring, Developing and Retaining the Talent
 Aligning the Workforce with Business
 Identifying Strategies for Business Success
 Effective Human Resource Development and Management
 In- house Training, Feedback, Improvement through Coaching and Mentoring
 HRIS
 Strategic Planning
 Project Management

19. Sample Problems…
 Total Quality Management
 Productivity, Time Management, Costing and Value Engineering
 Organization Transformation
 Work Life Balance
 Employee Compensation, Rewarding for Excellence
 Flexible Manufacturing
 Training Needs Analysis, Planning Needed Programs
 Work Ethics, Quality Circles, Leadership Development, Appreciative Enquiries
 Environmental Protection & Safe Work Practices

20. Impact
 Many MSMEs implemented the focused multiskilled training programs.
 Some introduced HRIS effectively
 Introduced job enriched programs
 Established Safety Council
 Modernized the Manufacturing Process
 Improved the Modular Production Process
 Introduced Quality Circles
 Established Job Aids
 Poorly Performing Institutes have been Turned Around

21. Return on Investment
• Problem Solving Abilities
• Critical Thinking
• HRIS
• Strategic Planning
• Cost Reduction
• Elimination of Accidents
• In-House Training
• Improvement in Productivity
• Modernization of Manufacturing
• Reduction of Accidents
• Power Saving
• Improvement in Quality of Products

22. Collaboration with the Companies
MSMEs Problems Identification

23. Impact…
 Productivity Increased
 Accidents were Prevented
 Improved the Safe Work Practices
 High Performers were Recognized
 5 S principles were Introduced
 Environment around the Factories Improved
 Appreciative Performance Inquires have been Linked to further Training and Job
Rotation
 Problem Solving Skills have been Improved

24. Outcomes in Terms of ROI
More benefits to the State Directorates of Technical
Education, MSMEs, Polytechnic Colleges, Software
Companies, and Government Engineering
Companies, etc.
ROI has increased
This program established “Academic Social
Responsibilities” towards society at large
Graduates acquired Industry Ready Competencies
Added to Knowledge Capital.

25. Institutes
Institutes which offer
Postgraduate Programs MSMEs

26. Accomplishment
• Research Papers
• Patents
• Human Capital
• Industry ready Graduates
• Knowledge Capital
• Reputation of the Faculty
Members and the Institute
• Abilities to Solve Real Life
Complex Problems of MSMEs
• Improvement in the Regional
competitiveness
• Improvement in the Regional
Competitiveness

27. Companies, and Institutes Benefitted
 Polytechnics benefitted in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka: 23.07%
 Software companies ( Cognizant Technology Solutions Ltd and Hindustan
Computers Ltd) benefitted: 17.32%
 Oil and Natural Gas Company Ltd (ONGC): 9.61%
 Cement Industry (India Cements Ltd, and Dalmia Cement [Bharath] Ltd):
9.61%
 Small and Medium Enterprises in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu: 9.62%
 Chennai Petroleum Refinery Ltd and Paper and Pulp Company Ltd:
3.85%
 Madras Fertilizers Ltd: 1.92%

28. Overall Outcome
 Graduates with Professional Accomplishment
 MSMEs received needed guidance and improved their
performance
 An active linkage with MSMEs, Government Engineering
Departments and Manufacturing Companies have been
Established
 Many MSMEs Managed to Overcome the Disruptions
 The Gap between the Institute and Industry has been
narrowed.

29. Accomplishments of the Graduates
 Polytechnics benefitted (in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh): 23.07%
 Ratio of Men: Women= 77.78% : 22.22%
 Students overall achievement:
 Distinction: 55.77%
 First Class: 38.46%
 Second Class: 11.53%
 Total Employment Achieved: 100%
 Percentage of Graduates Pursued Ph.D. : 11.76%
 Award for the best paper in ISTE Seminar held in Bangalore: 1
 CII QUIZ on Management held at Anna University (2003): 4 medals

30. Professional Achievement of the
Graduates
 Graduates Employed in MNCs (Singapore, Dubai, Sydney, London, Los Angles,
Tanzania): 14%
 Highest Post: Director of Technical Education in Karnataka
 Range of Academic Jobs: Principal, Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant
Professor,
 Highest Corporate Job: Managing Director of an Export Company
 Highest Academic Job: Consultant to a Deemed University in Karnataka
 HR Managers in Software Companies: 20 %

31. Feedback from the Graduates
 Earned the positive collaboration with the management and
the employees
 Gained confidence to lead a team of employees
 Can develop an employee development program]
 Can undertake consultancy projects independently
 Interested in undergoing Ph.D. programs in HRD/
HRM/Management
 Employers wish to recruit many graduates

32. Thank you
Your Comments/ Questions Please