The
Engineers of the future need the ability to access, understand, evaluate,
synthesize, and apply varied perspectives and knowledge not only in their own
field but also from other disciplines. This clearly demands that engineering
education can no more be limited to training students in a single discipline
but requires bringing together combinations of theories, concepts, and methods
from different disciplines in order to create the capability of graduating
engineers to handle such diverse situations.
National
Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes outcome-based learning. KJSCE has
adopted outcome-based education since 2011-12. The formulation, of course,
learning outcomes (COs) is done systematically by a group of faculty members
related to the course. Depending on the depth and nature of the study of the
module, the course outcomes with appropriate Bloom’s Taxonomy levels are
formulated. The attainment of COs, mapping of COs to Program Outcomes (POs) and
assessment of POs are carried out. Efforts are made to strengthen the COs and
POs.
Academic
flexibility is another key feature of NEP 2020. In KJSCE, we have started many
new programmes from AY 2023-24 at UG, PG and PhD levels where students will get
a flavour of different disciplines. The new M.Tech and B.Tech programme in
Artificial Intelligence & Data Science aims to boost the career growth of
students in the areas of Business Intelligence developers, AI engineers, Big
Data architects, Data engineers, Data scientists, application developers,
software architects, and many more. The newly introduced B. Tech programme in
Computer & Communication Engineering aims to equip students to acquire the
professional skills and research required in designing software-controlled
electronics and communication systems as per the need of present industries.
The technological advancements worldwide have made it necessary for Engineers
to have knowledge of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for
manufacturing and robotics systems. We need to bridge the gap between
Mechanical Engineering and Information Technology. In order to accomplish this,
the new programme B.Tech in Robotics & Artificial Intelligence has been
started. A full-time Doctoral programme in Energy Engineering has been started
focusing on niche research areas such as Thermal-Fluid sciences, Design
engineering, Manufacturing engineering and allied areas, etc. This is an emerging
field, which offers exciting opportunities in the development of more efficient
fuels and fuel systems, new energy sources, energy conservation techniques and
equipment, biomedical equipment, and other areas related to thermal and fluid
science.
Initiation
of academic flexibility by offering the minor or honours programmes from AY
2020-21 was yet another major step towards enhancing the academic flexibility
offered to the students in K J Somaiya College of Engineering (KJSCE). While a
student can deep dive into the chosen field of engineering and earn extra 20
credits to get Honours, another may choose to get ready for a professional
career by supplementing his/her Major degree by way of earning 20 additional
credits in a Minor programme. This Minor Programme, offered from the second
year of their Engineering studies, can either be in yet another branch of
engineering or can be in some other field such as Banking & Finance or
Marketing or other Minor programmes that are offered on the campus. Multiple
exit options are made available for minor/honour programmes. In KJSCE, more
than 1500 students from the batches admitted in AY 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23
have undertaken either minor or honours programmes. Presently, KJSCE offers a
total of 19 minor programmes and 18 Honour programmes. The minor programmes in
Entrepreneurship, Electric Vehicles, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Industrial
Engineering and Management, Industrial Automation and Robotics, etc. aim to
give great exposure to the students who want to acquire knowledge outside the
domain of study of their B.Tech programme. The students are also allowed to
enroll for minor programmes offered by other SVU colleges in the domains of
management, humanities etc.
Elective
Courses, Open Elective Courses in the Technical domain, Open Elective Courses
in Humanities & Management studies, Exposure Courses (hobby-based),
Mandatory non-credit courses (to improve their capability as responsible
citizen), etc. in multiple semesters also enables the students to have the
flexibility of choosing a variety of courses offered under these domains.
Students
are encouraged to take up interdisciplinary projects as a part of compulsory
yearlong projects in the final year. A semester-long internship facility is
also available to the students wherein the students take up a semester-long
internship work in Industry in their semester VIII. They get exposure to
working on projects in the industry prior to getting placed. These internships,
many times, get converted into jobs. Participation of students in college mega
projects, national-level hackathons and project competitions exposed the
students to interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary areas. They also learn
teamwork, improve on their communication skills through the process and develop
their skills. The college has some special multidisciplinary labs which are
developed in collaboration with external stakeholders having common interests.
Students from across the departments participate in activities pertaining to
the labs. Facilities and forums are provided where students can take part in
various cultural and sports activities leading to their overall development.
The entrepreneurship cell of the college, Bloombox, organizes activities to
enhance the entrepreneurial skills of students. The student exchange Program
under the credit transfer facility enables students to take up one semester in
a foreign university. This facility exposes the students to international,
regional and academic cultures.
KJSCE
strives to foster the overall and holistic development of the students by
making all the above facilities available to the students. For students to
avail of each of the mentioned facilities, the college has developed
well-defined processes and policies which ensure transparency in the execution
of these facilities.
Dr Sonali Patil, Associate Dean, Academic Programmes & Professor, IT, K J Somaiya College of Engineering
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