Best Practice

1. Title of the Practice:

Experiential Learning (Learning by Doing): Horizontal connectedness across courses and technical events for professional learning and skill development.

2. Goal:

The existing curriculum for all the courses has two limitations namely

• One is the knowledge gap which means that the alarming increase in the new knowledge acquisition emerging from multitude of research studies
• Many theoretical concepts have not been incorporated in the curriculum from time to time.

This obviously results in not being able to cope with newer circumstances, work and context. Obviously, this leads to the problem of skill deficiency which hinders employability. Keeping this in view, the institute has evolved a number of skill development programmes which could be offered simultaneously while doing the course.

In addition to the academic activities, Institute aims at developing and enhancing various skills of the students through the following events:

• Conduct personality development programmes.
• Encourage participation in curricular and extra-curricular activities
• Imbibe leadership skills
• Inculcate entrepreneurial skills
• Provide a platform for learning from Academic and Industry experts.

3. The Context:

Feedback from employers and alumnae reflects that drastic improvement is required for equipping the students to fit to the current scenario of technical education. As a result of extensive consultation and discussions, it was realized that programs for enhancement of skills needs to be introduced for the students to be industry ready after graduation. Skills required from students not only pertain to the discipline of study but also across the programs.
Institute provides a conducive environment to the students for a better learning experience, by organizing various technical events such as Workshops, Project Symposium, Idea Competitions, Certification Courses and Entrepreneurship Awareness Camp throughout the year.

4. The Practice :

• All the departments have forums in their respective departments to take care of organizing the technical events on current trends in technology in order to improve technical skills of the students.
• The institute organizes Project symposium every year as an inter-college students interface providing a platform to share and gain knowledge.
• Working models exhibition is organized by the institute, where the models developed by the students are exhibited and encouraged by rewarding the best ones.
• The college organizes various co-curricular and extra-curricular activities which aims at encouraging student participation in various activities within and outside the institute.
• An exclusive EDC - Entrepreneur Development Cell, Institution’s Innovation Council and Technology Business Incubator aimed at inculcating and nurturing entrepreneurial skills among students is setup in the institute.
• Extensive research activities are carried out through the university recognized research centres and programme specific laboratories.

5. Evidence of Success:

• The change in the behaviour & communication of the students from first year to final year is an ample testimony for the success of the programs being organized.
• The prizes / awards won by the students in technical and other events emphasize the impact of the programs.
• The performance of the students in placements is an indication of the success of the programs being organized.
• The review result indicates that there is a considerable improvement in the following :

1. Successful performance in present job
2. Ability to use technology in work place
3. Obtaining additional consideration in securing job, promotion etc.
4. Preference in obtaining internship in leading institutions
5. Decreased dependencies on external training agencies

6. Problems Encountered and Resources Required:

Since these skill development programs are offered over and above the curriculum, the students have hesitation to come forward and receive it. Therefore, so much of motivation is necessary. As an institution which has pioneered such innovations, popular acceptance may take time. Many students find that the work load will be too much by volunteering for such courses. Apart from above, identifying suitable programs which have futuristic demand is also tuff.

Following resources are required for implementation:
1. Manpower - Tapping expertise as well as upgrading the existing faculty for the conduct of the Programmes.
2. Cost - The entire program /event are offered free of cost. The institution bares all the expenses.
3. Time - Additional working hours are fitted into the regular schedules through substitution of filling.
4. Infrastructure - The classrooms, library and laboratory are available.

Best Practice