OREANDA-NEWS. There is a need to develop computer softwares in vernacular languages to cater to non-English speaking people, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Consultancy Services, Fakir Chand Kohli said.

"Softwares in India are being made in English only, but we should not forget that 900 million people in India do not speak English.

"So, to satisfy their computer needs, we need to write softwares in vernacular languages as is being done in countries like China, France, Saudi Arabia and others," Kohli said while speaking at a brainstorming session on "Strategy for Enhancing Quality of Engineering Education" at Punjab University here.

Calling upon the education system to be more contemporary, Kohli said more focus should be laid on training of the teaching faculty as per contemporary industrial needs, using modern technology in teaching and up-gradation of laboratories.

"We should also concentrate on regular updating of syllabus and necessary hardware," Kohli said.

Kohli, who is also known as the 'Father of Indian Software Industry', emphasised on complete autonomy of institutes in financial matters, syllabus revision, examination system.

He further emphasised that faculty should be sent to institutes like IITs for training and also be encouraged to do research work with paid leave.

Responding to a query Kohli said, even the mushrooming of private engineering colleges should be considered as an asset to the country and should be encouraged to be productive and innovative.

He requested bankers to disburse loans on subsidised interest rates to students.

The logo of UIET Chandigarh was also released on the occasion.