Raj Kumar has been working as the Principal In-charge of Xavier Institute of Polytechnic and Technology, Ranchi, Jharkhand. He joined XIPT in 2016 as a Lecturer and later on got promoted as the Head of Mechanical Engineering Department. 

And being the Principal In-charge of XIPT, he is primarily responsible for supervising and managing both the academic and administrative operations of the college and his goal is to provide a conducive learning environment to students and promote a supportive atmosphere for both faculty and staff members. 

Xavier Institute of Polytechnic and Technology (XIPT)

Which latest program is your college offering at present to help students outperform and how does the program ensure their future preparedness?

For the purpose of providing the kind of education to young students which can help them to stand apart from the crowd, our Xavier Institute of Polytechnic and Technology offers a 3-years duration Diploma program in various specializations of Engineering including Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Electronics and Communication Engineering. 

And our focus remains on offering them maximum practical exposure along with finest quality theoretical knowledge, and that’s the reason we have developed state-of-the-art laboratories that are aligned with latest industrial trends and demands. Along with this, we have maintained strong and long-lasting connections with leading organizations and industries such as Jondiary, Tata Steel, Tata Power, Jindal, Kirloskar, and many more. And these professional collaborations have helped us a lot in maintaining a corporate relevant curriculum and in making students ready for the challenging and evolving industry environment and requirements. Last but not the least, we provide Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and PLC Training to make students job ready by strengthening their academic and practical concepts. 

On what kinds of projects your students are currently working on under their respective Diploma course?

Our unique 3-year laboratory-centric education equips students with required practical skills, while innovation remains a cornerstone. And across all three Engineering disciplines, we have given equal focus so that students can not only work on amazing projects and innovate unique solutions for societal issues, but also improve their Entrepreneurship skills and mindset. And If I talk about the categories, then at XIPT, our final-year students usually undertake a diverse range of projects. 

For example, in Mechanical Engineering, they focus on revitalizing machinery, showcasing our commitment to resource optimization and as and when needed, they get full support and guidance of not only our college faculty members but also of technical personnel to ensure creative concepts become tangible prototypes. 

Which extracurricular activities are conducted by your college to strengthen the skills of students?

Our institution strongly believes in providing a holistic education to students and ambitious youths, that extends beyond traditional academic pursuits. Hence, to enhance the skills of our students, provide them a truly enriching learning experience, and develop their creative thinking skills, we regularly organize a comprehensive range of co-curricular activities from time to time and have implemented unique initiatives in place too. One such initiative is our Institute Innovation Cell, whose prime responsibility is to foster a culture of innovation and nurture creative thinking among students. 

Apart from this, IIC helps students to channel their innovative ideas into practical solutions by aligning them with the latest advancements. We also have an Intellectual Property Right cell, where emphasis remains on protecting intellectual creations and ideas of our students. And when it comes to exposing students to real-world challenges, they are provided regular opportunities to participate in events like Smart Hackathon, which is organized by AICTE. This platform also allows our students to engage with practical challenges and collaborate on innovative solutions, which ultimately bridges the gap between their skills and industry requirements. 

Other than this, guest lectures and seminars featuring industry professionals are conducted too by us to facilitate a direct communication between students and corporate professionals, help young minds to stay abreast of current market demands and trends and align their skills and knowledge with the ever-evolving industry landscape.

Which best practices have been implemented by your institute to help students attain demanded skills?

We have an amazing academic team of highly trained, educated and experienced faculty members who belong from renowned institutions and through their dedicated efforts, ensure that students receive top-notch education and timely knowledge of corporate trends and practices. 

Along with this, we have implemented a unique Mentorship Program, where each student is personally guided by a dedicated mentor and they also oversee the student's academic progress, encourage them to stay disciplined, and provide support in extracurricular activities and hostel life. And to ensure quality services and personalized care and attention for students, we have limited the number of students per mentor, usually around 10. This approach creates an environment where students not only excel academically but also develop essential life skills and values for preparing them for success in a competitive world.

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What facilities are available in your college campus for the all-around growth of students?

We are committed to offer a wide range of modern facilities to students which are essential for their academic and personal development and to start with, our whole campus is wi-fi enabled to provide a fast and reliable internet connectivity for research and learning, and we have separate hostels for both girls and boys, for the purpose of providing a safe and conducive living environment to students and encouraging a sense of community among them. Along with this, a well-equipped library has also been established by XIPT on campus and this library is home to over 10,000 volumes and different kinds of reading materials to fulfill academic needs of students. 

There are also enough arrangements in college for students to play diverse types of indoor and outdoor games including Hockey, Football, Cricket, Badminton, Javelin Throw Shot Put, Table Tennis, Carom and Chess etc. Last but not the least, we have a specialized Language Lab with 150 computers to develop communication and interpersonal skills of students and a dedicated Training and Placement Cell to prepare students for the industrial world by linking them with industry partners and boosting their employability skills. An extensive range of extracurricular activities are conducted too from time to time to provide suitable platforms to students to showcase their talents, boost their confidence, and nurture their interests beyond academics. 

How do you establish healthy relations with the students and fellow faculty of XIPT?

With the intention of maintaining good relations with students, our institute has implemented a unique Mentorship Program where dedicated mentors connect regularly not only with students but also with their parents to create a supportive environment for effective communication and ensure holistic development of each student. And to build rapport with our esteemed faculty members, we have prioritized their growth and well-being and also organize Faculty Refreshment Programs on a regular basis to provide them a platform to relax, interact and rejuvenate. Along with this, our faculty training and development initiatives equip educators with the latest pedagogical methods and insights, enhancing their teaching effectiveness in the classroom.

Also to enhance professional bonds and understanding between students and faculty members, provide them an opportunity to explore new environments, learn from each other’s diverse experiences and create long-lasting memories together, we organize educational tours for them as and when needed. Apart from this, industrial visits are conducted to allow students and faculty to connect theoretical knowledge with practical industry insights, enriching their academic journey. 

How does your college amplify the skills of faculty members and train them as per industry standards?

The development of faculty members skills in accordance with industry standards is of supreme importance for XIPT and hence we have implemented a multifaceted approach to ensure that our Teachers are well-prepared and equipped to meet industry demands. And from time to time, our college orchestrates various skills enhancement programs, professional visits, seminars and industry interaction sessions to bridge the gaps between academia and industry and educate teachers about the latest market trends and requirements. 

These sessions also help our teachers to improve their teaching methodologies, enhance their subject understanding, cultivate a deep understanding in them about market dynamics, and prepare students with required skill sets by providing them up-to-date and relevant education. Lastly, we conduct Faculty Training and Development Programs in accordance with guidelines and norms outlined by AICTE, 2-3 times every year to strengthen faculties competence. 

Which specific measures has your institution implemented to address the rising mental health issues and stress among students in college and India?

Our college is acutely aware of the rising mental health challenges which young and ambitious youths of our nation are facing nowadays in such a cut-throat competitive world. Hence we have taken many proactive measures and implemented targeted programs to ensure the well-being of our students. And one of our key initiatives is the Comprehensive Stress Relief Program which includes a wide array of extracurricular activities, sports events and tournaments, industrial visits, and educational tours, because we believe that engaging in such activities not only promotes physical health of students but also serves as a vital outlet to them for stress reduction by maintaining a perfect balance between academic and personal lives. Another benefit of these events and activities is that it provides a meaningful experience to students to cherish.

What kinds of industrial visits and tours are conducted by your institution to expose students to the realities of the competitive corporate world?

Our college has recognized the immense value of industrial tours in enriching students' overall learning experiences, as these tours provide a unique opportunity to students to witness real-world applications of their theoretical knowledge and gain insights of industrial operations. And in our most recent corporate visit, students had the privilege to explore Tata Timken Limited (TTL) and Tata Steel Long Products Limited (TSLP), observe their unique manufacturing processes, understand the intricacies of various industries, and witness cutting-edge technologies in action. 

Apart from this, these visits enhance the students' understanding of various subjects and also provides them a context for their studies by making learning more engaging and practical. Also, recently we organized another educational tour to the Science Centre for our first-year students, where the aim was to broaden the knowledge horizons of students and ignite their curiosity. 

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

At XIPT, we are committed to provide students with the latest technical skills and resources that will pave their way for a successful career and during 36 months of the Diploma course, students will have the tremendous opportunities to enhance their skills, broaden their knowledge horizons, and equip themselves for a bright future.

Hence I would advise my students and their parents to strongly consider XIPT as a destination to pursue their dreams, because we have a team of dedicated faculty members, cutting-edge facilities and comprehensive programs to guide students towards a prosperous and fulfilling journey. And your time here will not only provide you with a strong academic foundation but also equip you with the skills and knowledge that are highly sought after in today's competitive world. So, make the wise choice and join us at XIPT to embark on a journey that will undoubtedly shape your future for the better. Your education is an investment in yourself, and we are here to help you maximize its returns.