Dilip V. Kunte is the HOD at the Mechanical Engineering department at AP Shah Institute of Technology. He completed his graduation and post-graduation from Mumbai University in 1995 in Mechanical Engineering. Thereafter, he worked in the industry for 3 years in different marketing and production functions. Professor Kunte joined academia in 1999 and has continued working for the last 24 years at various well-known institutes in the field of Mechanical Engineering in Mumbai.

AP Shah Institute Of Technology

Being the HoD Mechanical Engineering of AP Shah Institute of Technology what are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

As the Head of the Department, I have several roles and responsibilities towards the students. Primarily, I need to always ensure academic quality. We must make sure that the curriculum is up-to-date and relevant, and that students are receiving a high-quality education.

The HOD is also the person who is always there to provide guidance and support to students as needed. This may include course selection, career paths, or other academic or personal issues. Another of my major responsibilities is managing the faculty and staff within the department. The HOD makes sure that all his employees are performing their duties effectively and efficiently.

The head of the department must create a positive learning environment that encourages students to excel academically and personally. I aim to foster a culture of inclusivity and diversity where all students feel welcome and supported. Students also need to be safe. They have the right to secure facilities towards which I work closely with campus security and law enforcement to address any safety concerns.

I always encourage and promote research and innovation within the department. I want to create opportunities for my students to engage in research and provide support for faculty members conducting research.

The HOD plays a critical role in ensuring that students receive a high-quality education and have a positive academic experience. They must balance the needs of students with the needs of the department by working closely with faculty and staff to achieve these goals.

Do you have any extracurricular activities/ programs to enhance the skills of the students or expose them to the real-world challenges?

Extracurricular activities and programs are crucial for a well-rounded education for students, equipping them with skills and experiences for their careers. AP Shah Institute of Technology has several extracurricular activities and programs that aim to enhance our students' skills and exposing them to real-world challenges. 

Our student internship programs with the opportunity to work in a professional setting and to gain practical experience in their field of study. This helps students develop skills that are relevant to their future careers, but also build their professional network. During the duration of the degree, students can apply for volunteer programs that allow them to give back to their communities and develop skills such as leadership, communication, and teamwork by volunteering for a variety of causes, such as environmental conservation, social justice, or education.

Our Entrepreneurship programs trains students with the right skills needed to run a business by offering opportunities to work on real-world projects and collaborating with other students. We have debate teams that allow students to think critically and communicate effectively on important issues and topics such as politics, economics, or social issues.

For students inclined towards sports, we have several sports teams that teach students teamwork, leadership, and time management skills. The students here participating in sports can also help students develop physical fitness and improve their overall health and well-being. Hackathons, for IT students, are events where students work together to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges in a short period of time. These events often focus on topics such as technology, sustainability, or social issues.

Overall our extracurricular activities and programs provide students with valuable experiences and skills that can help them succeed in their personal and professional lives. I urge schools and universities to offer a range of extracurricular activities and programs to meet the diverse interests and needs of their students.

How does the curriculum of AP Shah Institute of Technology ensure that the students are being prepared for the future?

AP Shah Institute of Technology’s curriculum prepares students for the future by incorporating technology into the curriculum throughout the coursework by teaching them technological literacy and proficiency. We also provide training students on programming languages, software, and tools commonly used in the industry. Our curriculum emphasizes more on project-based learning to assist students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. This approach can be especially effective when applied to real-world challenges and problems.

Along with technical skills, the curriculum also highlights the development of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability. These skills are highly valued by employers and essential for success in a rapidly changing world. We have established partnerships with industry organizations that can provide students with opportunities to learn from professionals in their field, participate in internships and apprenticeships, and gain real-world experience.

I believe that the curriculum should provide exposure to emerging fields and technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and renewable energy so that students become eligible for jobs of the future by keeping them up-to-date with the latest developments in their field.

Generally, the curriculums of all our courses focus on technical skills, soft skills, project-based learning, industry partnerships, and exposure to emerging fields can ensure that students are being prepared for the future.

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How do you try to bring in practical approach towards subjects and make it industry oriented?

To make our subjects more industry oriented and have a practical approach, we have adopted several methods to do so. We invite industry experts to give guest lectures and workshops that can provide students with everyday insights and help them understand how to apply the concepts they are learning. As mentioned before, we have established partnerships with industry organizations which can provide students with opportunities to work on real-world projects and gain hands-on experience in their field.

Our department works tirelessly to provide opportunities for students to participate in internships and apprenticeships that can give them practical experience in the industry and apply their learning. We have also incorporated a project-based learning system to give students opportunities to apply the concepts they are learning to different problems and challenges.

We use numerous case studies that can help students understand how concepts and theories apply in practical situations and give them a better understanding of industry practices and standards. The students are assigned practical assignments that require them to use the tools and techniques used in the industry and develop the right mindset and skills to thrive in their industry.

By incorporating practical approaches towards subjects and making them industry-oriented in the curriculum can help prepare our students for the workforce and give them a better understanding of how their coursework applies in the real world.

What are the interventions and approaches you bring in apart from the curriculum to train/teach the students?

We have a more student-centered approach to teaching that puts the focus on the student, their interests, and their learning styles. This approach can use activities that encourage active participation, group work, and discussion to engage students in the learning process. The learning is also personalized to tailor the teaching approach to meet the individual needs of each student. This can include adapting the curriculum to suit the student's learning pace, style, and interests.

We have adopted multimodal learning that incorporated different modes of learning such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic can help cater to different learning styles and preferences of students. This includes technology-enhanced learning that has increased use of technology to support and enhance the learning experience of students through online resources, multimedia, and interactive tools and platforms.

We have in place a continuous assessment and feedback for us to gauge our student’s learning progress and identify areas for improvement. This approach can include formative assessments, quizzes, feedback, and review sessions. Our experiential learning involves engaging students in hands-on activities and real-world scenarios to apply their learning in a practical setting. These interventions and approaches can help create a more engaging, personalized, and effective learning experience for students.

What would you like people to know about your institute they may not know?

The A. P. Shah Institute of Technology, Thane is renown for its innovative teaching methods that prioritize practical learning experiences for students. The institute encourages project-based learning, industry partnerships, and experiential learning to tackle real-world challenges. At the institute, students are at the center of the learning process and the focus is on their individual needs and interests. The faculty members strive to create a personalized learning environment that caters to the learning pace and style of each student.

A. P. Shah Institute of Technology’s highly adept entrepreneurship cell aims to promote entrepreneurship and innovation among students. We have numerous events, workshops, and mentorship programs students to assist students in developing their entrepreneurial skills and transforming their ideas into viable businesses. We also have a strong emphasis on research and development for both faculty members and students by collaborating with industries and other academic.

The institute has modern infrastructure and facilities, including state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, a well-stocked library, a multi-cuisine cafeteria, sports, and hostel facilities for students. A. P. Shah Institute of Technology, Thane is a dynamic institute that offers a personalized and realistic learning method. Our focus is on preparing students for actual challenges and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship among our students.

What do you see as the greatest strengths of AP Shah Institute of Technology?

A. P. Shah Institute of Technology, Thane boasts of a team of experienced and highly qualified faculty members who are committed to providing a high-quality learning experience to students. They are industry experts and researchers who bring their practical experience into the classroom.

The institute has established strong industry partnerships that offer students exposure to real-world challenges and opportunities for internships, projects, and placements. These collaborations provide students with practical experience and help them develop industry-relevant skills. We employ innovative teaching methods with a focus on practical learning experiences through project-based learning, problem-solving, and experiential learning. These help students develop critical thinking and an analytical mindset.

A. P. Shah Institute of Technology, Thane employs a strong research focus where we encourage our faculty members and students to engage in research activities. Towards this end, the institute has collaborations with industries and other academic institutions that help promote research and development.

Our entrepreneurship cell supports students to develop their entrepreneurial skills and provides them with mentorship and support to turn their ideas into viable businesses.

Modern infrastructure: We have installed the best modern infrastructure and facilities, including state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and a library. These factors of A. P. Shah Institute of Technology, Thane provides students with a holistic learning experience and prepares them for a long-sustaining career in their respective fields.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see, both for higher education in general and for AP Shah Institute of Technology specifically?

In my view higher education institutions must keep up with changing technologies and adapt their curriculum and teaching methods to the demands of the evolving job market. This can be met through continuous investment towards the development of faculty and infrastructure. There is also a challenge of the increasing number of institutions and students that affects the quality of education. In order to provide a high-quality learning experience, it is essential to have thorough monitoring and assessment system.

Access and affordability of higher education is a major challenge in developing countries like India. Many students are still unable to afford the high cost of higher education, and this creates a barrier to access that we aim to bridge. Additionally, the job market changes, we should inculcate new skills and competencies in our graduates. Research and development are crucial for the growth and success of higher education institutions but inadequate funding and resources can hinder the process.

At A. P. Shah Institute of Technology, Thane, we have some specific challenges such as a highly competitive environment. There are several other institutions offering similar programs. This forces us to pay attention we must leverage our strengths and provide a differentiated learning experience to attract students.

We also need to ensure our curriculum and teaching methods be relevant to the needs of the industry which calls for continuous engagement with industry partners for their input and keeping up with changing technologies and trends. We must also invest more in faculty development to enhance the quality of the learning experience for students.

Our programs also must be accessible and affordable to students from diverse backgrounds by providing need-based and merit-based scholarships and other forms of financial assistance. These challenges can be addressed through a combination of strategic planning, collaboration with industry partners, continuous investment in faculty development and infrastructure, and engagement with stakeholders.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

I would be happy to offer the following suggestions to current youth and aspiring students. Firstly, I advice students to follow their passion and interests. Pursuing a career in a field that excites and motivates them will bring success in their chosen field. It is important to understand that learning does not end at graduation. In today's rapidly changing world, everyone should keep up with the latest trends and technologies. So, keep learning and developing to stay ahead of the curve.

Always be open to new opportunities and experiences as this help individuals to grow personally and professionally. Network with mentors, peers, and industry professionals who can offer guidance and support to navigate career paths. Taking risks and stepping out of one’s comfort zone will lead to discovering new opportunities and experiences that will help one grow as a person and professional.

Pay special attention to soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. Always stay true to personal values and principles, even in the face of adversity. A strong integrity will build a strong reputation in personal and professional life.

Success is not just about achieving goals, but also about the journey one takes to get there. Stay focused, work hard, and never stop learning and growing.