An interview with Dr. Shivani V. Patil | Vice President & Pro Chancellor | D Y Patil University | Pune

Q1. What are the core Strengths of the DY Patil University?

D Y Patil group of Institutions was founded by Padma Shri Dr. D. Y. Patil, a forward thinking leader who initiated the pursuit of education in Mumbai. With the guiding principle of “Knowledge is Supreme”, the institution was established to deliver quality, value based and cutting edge education. Under the leadership of Dr. Vijay D. Patil, President and Chancellor and Mrs. Shivani Vijay Patil, Vice President and Pro Chancellor since 2006, D Y Patil technical campus has transformed into a University with schools dedicated to Architecture, Design, Engineering & Technology, Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Law, Management, Pharmacy as well as Polytechnic and Agriculture.

Our Core Strengths are –
 Diverse Program offered to the youth of India.
 Recognition and Approvals – University is recognized by UGC, New Delhi, India.
Approved programs by AICTE, PCI, BCI, COA and MSBTE.
 Curricula and Program Structure – Curriculum specifically designed to meet the needs of tomorrow, integrating cutting edge fields like AI, Block chain and Business Analytics.
 Industry Integration – Real world experience and Industry perspective, workshops with top organizations, certification and credit transfer initiatives.
 Experienced Faculties
 Achieve excellence for economic growth through innovation, transformation, inclusion and mentoring.

Q2. Online learning is fairly a new concept in India especially when it comes to Higher education. What kind of readiness in terms of technology, mindset etc. do require to make the most out of Online Learning? What is the role of Artificial Intelligence in Indian Higher Education?

Online learning has become a vital and alternate solution of knowledge sharing after the world has seen the pandemic situation of COVID – 19. The ecosystem took a while to adjust with the sudden closure of academic Institutions due to social distancing. The creation and adoption of virtual classrooms had become necessary to continue the teaching-learning process. While the focus is to create an engaging learning environment, people involved in the delivery of the content had to quickly upgrade to remain relevant with the changing dynamics.

Online learning is education which takes place over the Internet. Online learning is bringing shift in our pedagogies. The top-down lecturing and passive student approach is shifting to a more interactive approach. In e-learning, the role of faculty members should be transformed from the traditional teacher-centric to student-centric model to co-create the learning process. With online teaching, teacher should become more of a facilitator to have major influence and impact on student’s experience. The skills required for this are administrative skills, communication skills, and technological competence. Teacher should also provide constructive feedback & support to students. Student’s attitude towards online learning gets affected by learner autonomy, structure of course, quality of instructional methods, Interactions with another students & teacher.

There are many advantages of online classes for both teachers and students. For teachers, it allows new method of teaching using advanced tools and technology and reaching many students. And student can acquire knowledge of using different online tools to get benefit of live / recorded sessions, listen, and watch classes many times at their own pace.

Role of AI in Higher Education – Artificial Intelligence in higher education can help students in providing instant feedback on assignments and exams. Students can use virtual chatbots to get information on all relevant courses and programs to improve their employability. AI can help in research work and plagiarism prevention.

It has the potential to enhance inclusivity, access, and support. AI plays a significant role in increasing administrative efficiency in higher education by automating tasks, personalizing education experiences, and analyzing data to improve overall efficiency.

AI helps in promoting fairness, and safeguarding student data privacy. The long-term impact of AI on higher education encompasses the evolution of learning environments, preparation for new realities in academia, and support for students in navigating the job. This will shape the future of education and career readiness.

Q3. What activities and programs are offered by the University to ensure students are ready for the Industry? How do students benefit from universities’ collaboration with organizations and other industries?

At D Y Patil University, Ambi, the career services are provided to the students round the year to prepare them for the industry. The office of Corporate Relations and Career Services strategizes activities to develop students from day one, transforming them into professionals. A strong network with the industry, government and community at the local, regional, national and international level helps employers and students to work together on internships, projects and final placements.

Some of the activities involved are:
 Competency Mapping
 Communication Skill Lab for written skills and presentations
 Counselling Career mapping with individual analysis which includes self-assessment,
career exploration, on-the-job training, internship, on the job training
 Writing resume, covering letter or other professional document reviews
 Aptitude Test, Group Discussion and Personal Interview Practices
 Mock interviews by industry experts and behavioural experts.

Students are also motivated and given credits to undergo certification courses from EdX, Coursera, NASSCOM, MOOCs, Swayam, NPTEL as per the guidelines of UGC, New Delhi.

Some of the initiatives taken by the University to benefit the students from our industry collaboration are to conduct various summits of the CTOs, CHROs and CEOs. “Honhar Bharat” is one such yearly event that the University conducts where 40+ people from industry and business would come and share their experiences with the students. Every school under D Y Patil University Pune, Ambi would also conduct various seminars, guest lectures and panel
discussions to ensure that the students get the best and latest information from the industry.

Q4. Internships are now mandatory as per AICTE guidelines. How does your student get on campus Placements? What process do the university follow? What is your advice to the HR Leaders on Campus recruitment perspective?

The University has established two important services to promote a discovery and innovation-driven environment namely CIAP and KRITI. These platforms are designed to facilitate collaboration between Corporate and University, with a goal to develop competencies, future skills, research, projects and final placements.

Centre for Industry and Academia Partnership (CIAP) – The objective of this initiative is to develop the young workforce as corporate professionals, techno-managers and entrepreneurs through industry and academia partnership.

Centre of Excellence KRITI (Knowledge, Research, Ideation, Technology, Innovation) – The focus of this initiative is to develop the students on technical and professional skills through professional organizations and trainers.

5. What is your advice to the HR Leaders on Campus recruitment perspective?

Build Strong Campus Relationships with key faculty, career centers, and student by creating opportunities.

Also start engaging with students early in their academic careers. Offer internships, co-op programs, or workshops to introduce them to your company culture and career opportunities.

Tailored Recruitment Strategies: Develop tailored recruitment strategies for different campuses and programs. Understand the unique strengths and skills each university offers and adjust your approach accordingly.

Employer Branding: Highlight your company’s values, culture, career progression opportunities, and impactful projects. This helps in attracting top talent who align with your organization’s ethos.

Utilize Technology: Leverage technology for virtual engagement, such as online career fairs, webinars, and virtual campus tours. This expands your reach beyond physical limitations and engages tech-savvy students.

Streamlined Selection Process: Simplify your selection process while maintaining rigor. Students appreciate a transparent and efficient recruitment process that respects their time and effort.

Feedback and Follow-Up: Provide constructive feedback to candidates post-interview. Even if they are not selected, a positive experience can influence their perception of your company and encourage re-application or referrals.

Continuous Improvement: Regularly assess and refine your campus recruitment strategies based on feedback, metrics, and changing trends in the talent landscape.

Long-term Relationships: Build long-term relationships with promising students, even if they don’t join immediately. Maintain connections through alumni networks or mentorship programs to nurture future talent pipelines.

By focusing on these areas, HR leaders can optimize their campus recruitment efforts and attract high-potential candidates who will contribute significantly to their organization’s success.