I took over as founding Vice Chancellor of D Y Patil International University(DYPIU), Akurdi, Pune since May 2018. The University got approval from State Govt to go ahead in Middle of March 2018. Few programs were initiated in 2018 in Design, Journalism and Mass Communication, Commerce, Management, Computer Application and Biotechnology along with skills development programs in the 2018-19 academic session. University got good response from student community in the first year with all seats getting filled. As we are entering 2019, we plan to start engineering discipline from academic year 2019-20.
During 2013-2018, I was heading India’s Technology Think Tank, TIFAC, in Delhi. During this period we prepared “Technology Vision 2035” document for India. This document is vision for India in coming years focused on quality of life of Indians and role of Technology of today and tomorrow in achieving that. While preparing the document, we worked hard to visualize the technologies that are likely to come in coming two decades. While doing that, we realized two things : (1) Technology is happening at much faster rate than we expect (2) Technology Diffusion is taking place at a much faster pace too. This also implies that Technology obsolescence is also very high.
In the background of this, it is important for India to bring appropriate mechanism to continuously make changes in education system to prepare students for this ever changing technology landscape. Learning to learn is going to be the most important learning. We cannot expect students to continue using the knowledge they gained during their college days for rest of their life. In some sectors this is more important than others.
I decided to focus first on Computer Science and Engineering as the branch to start with since this is the sector that is changing very fast and no sector is left untouched by this technology. Most of the educational institutes in India have not been able to cope up with the fast changing scenario in this sector. Each new institution that starts, has an opportunity make major changes since there is no baggage to deal with.
In 2001, Reliance group started Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology(DA-IICT), in Gandhinagar(Gujarat). I was involved with this institute from almost beginning and we carried out major curriculum changes. I had written a detailed blog on this and those who have not had a chance to read that should go through that blog at :
https://ranjan.inmy-experience-with-first-greenfield-university-of-reliance/
Thus while starting engineering program at DYPIU, I used DA-IICT curriculum as the starting point. We had internal discussion with a group of faculty in the campus and created a first template of our program. This was shared on Social Media (Facebook, LinkedIn) and it generated lot of interest and lot of feedback was received. Based on all the feedbacks, we created the following program.
It would be a 4 year B Tech Degree in Computer Science and Engineering with 10 track options in :
1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
2. Data Science
3. Robotics and AI
4. Intelligent Transport System and Logistics with integrated MBA in Transport/Logistics Management
5. IoT
6. Cyber Security
7. FinTech (Financial Technology) – Includes Blockchain – with integrated MBA (Financial Management)
8. Bio-Informatics
9. Cloud and Systems Administration (including Data Center Management)
10. Web and Mobile Application(Covering Web 3.0, 5G applications along with Cloud Computing) – Integrated option of MDes (AR/VR/Holography/Games Design)
First two years would be common revamped curriculum and from 3rd year they would start taking courses related to tracks. Computational thinking(a set of problem-solving methods that involve expressing problems and their solutions in ways that a computer could execute) would be introduced right in the first semester along with introduction to programming. Design Thinking would be part of 1st year offerings along with Fab Lab(Use of 3D printers, Laser Cutters, CNC machine etc to be able to make good quality working prototypes). Right after the first year students would start internships/project from 1st year summer. Focus would be to work on Rural and other social issues to develop empathy among students. I have found disability and old age sector to be very important for this purpose.
Students would learn electronics as well as communication related subjects in the first two years. AI and Embedded Systems would be part of 2nd year offering for all students.
A very interesting concept is being introduced in this program to make students learn ha
rdware and embedded systems development – “Lab in the Bag” concept. In this, students can procure a device such as “NI MyDaq” that connects through USB to a computer and provides a large number of Lab instruments available to students through computer such as Oscilloscope, Function Generators etc. This would make sure that students would not only be able to work on software developments at their convenience but also projects and lab work involving hardware at their will.
Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship would be covered in 2nd year. A course in Environmental Science along with climate change issues and sustainable development would also be offered in 2nd year.
We would be following the International system (also being used in many research focused institutes in India) of team teaching with Teaching Assistants being an important part of system. In line with this, we would start M Tech(Cyber Physical Systems) along with PhD program. Majority of the students of MTech/PhD would be financially supported through assistantship/fellowship in these programs.
Post Edit – This program is receiving wide scale appreciations. Some examples:
(1) AICTE has communicated that ” Your proposal was placed before the 8th meeting of All India Board of under Graduate Studies in Engineering & Technology decided as under:
The Board finds the proposed approach of having two years of foundational subjects and tracks or minors letting the students pursue their area of interest, as innovative. With standardized name of the degree, there will be flexibility that tracks can be deleted or added depending on the needs of the industry/ job market. Also it will be useful to effectively bridge the gap due to fast changing technology. It is suggested that name of track chosen by students be specified in the degree, in bracket.”. 
(2) This program was awarded by All India Council of Robotics and Automation for Best Academic Innovative Curriculum for Higher Education
(3) In the approved list of AICTE courses, many new courses have been started that were influenced by this program.
It’s an excellent idea sir…
Very well thought out program. Congratulations. Now to have the faculty to realize this vision!!
Thanks! Yes getting the right faculty is always challenging but hopefully I would be able to work it out. I am already in touch with a few of them.
Congrats Prof Ranjan
Would like to associate for my contribution if any.
Please send me an email regarding how you would like to be associated.
Nice project……
Respected Sir ,
Great platform for students with Great Vision ….
This is a very well thought out program.
Prof. Ranjan has very effectively used his vast experience as an academician, researcher and technology forecaster to create this contemporary program.
I am confident this program will serve as a baseline for future computer science related courses.
What about the lecturers for these streams ? While most colleges have some streams the teachings are pathetic.
Thanks for comments. We have to mostly depend on high quality faculty trained abroad. We are aggressively trying to appoint high quality faculty in relevant areas. Just to give an example, we have one faculty joining in one month time, who has done PhD from a renowned Univ in USA and has 10 years of experience in AI, Big Data, Cloud Computing, IoT, Data Science and Python. We are in touch with many others.
Very exhaustive and well thought out.
Engineers have great role to play in
Nation building. I have the desire to
Be a part of this noble job of nation
Building by making an entry in engineering discipline . I like engineering because it helps in innovation and technological development. I will be proud to
Become an engineer in future
I would like to know about your course btech in computer science engineering, it’s fees.
Please see the Univ link at https://www.dypiu.ac.in/. You can go to contact section and give your details for counsellors to get back with details.
Yes Sir,In present scenario wherein nothing seems to be permanent and fixated in nature,which aptly describes
” Learning to learn is going to be the most important learning”
Innovative approach, may share details with AICTE , so that their academic board may use it for updation of AICTE Model Curriculum.
Thanks Dr Bhandari for your comments. I had already shared details of this program with Policy and Academic Bureau and discussed in AICTE All India board for UG on Feb 21. Program has been appreciated.
Very well thought out curriculum indeed. Learning how to learn will be the biggest challenge not only for the students, but also for the faculty members.
Excellent curriculum, this could definitely be a game changer in for B Tech academic. I think of this curriculum as a way to nurture more “Ranchos” from the movie 3 idiots. What is more interesting is that this is a right combination of solid fundamental basics, Freedom to choose from wide list of electives and a very close knit industry internship collaboration allowing students to be both future ready for higher academic as well to join industry.
Our world around is changing very fast and students have lots of influence from things around, It is very important to be aware of technology trends. For this I would encourage monthly seminars on latest trends on tech and non-tech innovations around the world to help students discover themselves and choose the most befitting path for themselves.
Many congratulations and best wishes on way forward from Mobiliya!
Prof Ranjan, this is a most impressive work! Just what the IT Industry needs. These curricula will bring academia and industry much closer.
IBM have similar industry-aligned Programs which Universities can launch as co-branded curricula, complete with credit-based courseware, faculty training, Industry SME interactions, and several campus events. I will request the team to work with you so that AICTE can also take advantage of the curriculum grids.
In addition to the programs that you have so thoughtfully designed, I am sure you’d woven in Projects and Internships with the IT industry as well. It’s unfortunate that lakhs of students are not found Industry ready despite great education, because they have never had exposure to real-life work.
And hackathons are not enough! We need proper project work for 3rd year summer internship, and 7th and 8th semester project work. I thought AICTE had mandated such internships, but not sure about implementation so far.
Congratulations and best wishes for a great initiative!!
Thanks for your comments. As you would notice, we have design thinking in 2nd semester along with Fab Lab (3D printer etc). Right after first year project/internship starts with focus on Rural/Societal and Small Industry problem. This is to give them exposure to real world problem. After 2nd year they would do industrial internship and after 3rd research internship. Final year would have capstone project. In addition, most of the courses would have projects embedded. So it is project based learning system.
Respected Sir ,
Great platform for students with Great Vision ….This is industrial oriented curriculum Bright Carrier & Bright future in the D Y Patil Engg students