Mr. Shrinivas. K. Joshi is the Principal of Rajarambapu Institute of Technology Polytechnic. He holds a B.E. and an M.E. degree in Civil Engineering. He has over 36 years of experience in industry and academia. Mr. Joshi has worked as the Principal of Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Polytechnic, and as the Ex-Director of SSPM Kilemachindra Gad, AITKC, Vita, and Saraswati Education Society, Mumbai. He was also an Academic Council Member of S.U. Kolhapur and a Nodal Officer (Civil Work) of TEQIP, RIT, Rajaramnagar.

Mr. Shrinivas. K. Joshi is the Principal of Rajarambapu Institute of Technology Polytechnic

How do you try to bring a practical approach in curriculum and make it industry oriented?

The college focuses on providing practical experience in the curriculum. We conduct various seminars and webinars with industry experts to give practical knowledge about the industry. There are labs in the college where students have hands-on experience working on machines with proper guidance. We have tie-ups with companies like Hyundai where they complete training in vehicle-exclusive labs where they work in different departments such as engine, and lift. Students can join Tata Strive, a skill development initiative that addresses the skills needed for employment. The college also provides internships to students where they work in industry to gain practical skills that they learn in the curriculum.

What are the different projects and industry expertise student’s gain in these curriculums?

Students can work on different projects as part of the curriculum. The students have to do micro-projects along with the courses so that they can apply their knowledge to projects. In their final year, the students must do Capstone projects in which they can apply their skills from all the courses they have taken. The students have worked on projects such as 3D Printing, solar-operated projects, coding, alarm beep systems, etc.

Do you have any extracurricular activities/ programs to enhance the skills of the students in the college?

There are many extracurricular activities going on in college all year. The college has a three-acre campus that has facilities for different sports. Students can play cricket, football, hockey, khokho, and other sports. Our college team participated in the Zonal Hockey Competition and won first prize. Apart from these, there are many competitions in college, such as debates, technical quizzes, and project model competitions, to generate competitive spirit.

What are the vision and mission when you join this college?

The vision I had when I joined the college was to create a centre of excellence in cutting-edge technology. As a college, we want to achieve excellence in technical education. The mission is to impart the latest knowledge to aspiring youth and provide the latest knowledge in Science and technology, covering all aspects.

How did training of faculty happen to deliver this program to the students in the college?

The faculty development program is being conducted at the college to teach faculty the latest skills and knowledge. Additionally, in June, before the start of the academic session, there is a two-week pedagogy training programme in which teachers are taught how to teach and deliver the programme and syllabus according to new methods.

What are the benefits after pursuing this diploma course?

Students, after completing the diploma course can take direct admission in their second year of engineering. Unlike their class 12th grade, they do not have to prepare for any entrance exam to get admission in engineering. The major benefit of doing the diploma is that most of the syllabus for a full-time engineering degree is already covered in the diploma course. There is a practical experience for students before joining engineering by doing a diploma course. After joining the engineering course, students can enhance their skills and can get good marks. Their chances of getting a good job also increase and there is an overall development.

What are the career options and industry for industry after pursuing this course?

The students gain industry knowledge during their diploma course. They also do their internship, where they have to work for around two months in the industry. Students can join the industry right after completing their diploma. The pay scale of jobs for diploma holders is relatively lower than that of degree courses. Students can choose to pursue a full-time engineering degree after a diploma to be eligible for a higher pay scale and better jobs. Our training and placement cell works all around so that we can provide jobs to students.

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

My suggestion for youth is to do smart work. They should put in all their efforts but enhance their skills. Decide your goal and the path you will follow to achieve it. Students should do extra courses to enhance their skills. They should aim high for the future and work towards it to achieve greater heights.

What are the challenges that the college faced while running the courses?

The main challenge for us is that the college is located in a rural location. The students must travel some distance to reach college. We have college buses from which students can reach college. The other challenge is that students after 10th grade come from different backgrounds and lack knowledge of subjects like Mathematics and English. For this, we provide initial teaching to students so that no student lacks in any aspect.