Best Practices

Practice-I: Cradle for "Concerted Development"

Objectives of the Practice:

DIT University is committed to providing high-quality education to its students. Its motto 'Imagine, Aspire, Achieve' is a guide that propels the University towards excellence. The main objective behind the practice of "Concerted Development" is to enable the students to achieve their full potential in becoming responsible global citizens, ready for the world-of-work, with emphasis on building people of high qualities of mind and character.

Contextual Features

Undertaking such a major responsibility requires transformational change in the mindset of the stakeholders. The studuents and faculty need to appreciate the importance of life-skills learning and be sensitive to the surroundings and society. DIT University has acknowledged that the following features have to be made integral part of the system.

1. Academic excellence -every student is given an equal opportunity, with continuous specialized training to provide the right skill sets to the students and prepare them for the competitive world.
2. Rewards & Recognition system, where achievements by faculty and students are recognized and appreciated
3. Cultural associations cultivate the 'unity in diversity' mindset - by celebrating all local, national and international festivals and events, thereby training the students to contemplate the importance of diversity, community service, harmony, and togetherness.
4. National Service Scheme (NSS) and National Cadet Corps (NCC)
5. Cultural and sports Clubs & Societies
6. Mental Health & Physical Fitness – Professional and personal counselling, Awareness building
7. Students' involvement in the decision-making- Students are made part of the process through formal representations in the Academic council, BOS, and other committees.
8. Awareness drives, expert talks, workshops, and debates on issues like development and its impact on the environment, sustainable development goals, gender sensitization, societal evils like drugs, internal and external political issues, etc

The Practice

The New Education Policy (NEP -2020) envisages significant changes in the higher education sector, focusing on providing flexibility to students to chart their personal careers depending on their choices. Its implementation requires the University to be non-rigid in its operations and constantly evolving its curriculum, ensuring adequate importance to contemporary life skills learning. Keeping the broad guidelines and challenges of higher education in mind, we designed the practices with the following critical features:

1. Two-week-long orientation cum induction program for all new entrants to ensure students' smooth transition from - "School to University environment." Usually, the challenges encountered are "Cultural and Social" issues addressed by our mentors/advisors.
2. Soft skills, personality development, courses on the latest technology, foreign languages, campus to corporate, and sessions throughout the degree program. All students at DIT, on average, are given 30 hours of additional training each semester.
3. Recruiters often complain that students graduating from colleges are not ready for the world of work and need a lot of training after recruitment before they become 'usable'. Responding to this challenge, DIT University has established an in-house Career Development Centre (CDC) to cater to the needs of the students and bridge the gap between the industry needs and the student's skills set.
4. Assessments through AMCAT, Elitmus, etc., are regularly conducted to identify students' aptitude and competence.
5. After rigorous selection criteria, CDC entered into MoU with various specialized competitive exam training organizations to prepare students for GATE, GRE, CAT, and Govt. Services Entrance Exams including Defense, Civil Services, etc. The training is being imparted to the students right on campus and at almost 50% reduced cost. This has become highly rewarding for the students.
6. In order to motivate the students, the University has conceived a "Reward and Recognition policy" wherein achievers, and needy students are financially rewarded.
7. A highly effective student counselling cell is established as part of this practice. Accomplished and experienced counsellors regularly organize events for mental health and wellness. Professional and personal counselling service is available round the clock.
8. University conducts competitive events like Tata Crucible, Youth Parliament, Model UN, providing students a platform to develop confidence and imbibe leadership qualities with opportunities to brainstorm global issues.
9. DITU believes that learning is not limited to the classrooms. There is a good emphasis on supporting students to participate in extra-curricular activities through clubs and associations. More than 30 different clubs are being managed and run by the students under the guidance of faculty members.
10. The career services team provides a one-semester internship for students to gain practical insight into their professional domain. This builds confidence in students to use their knowledge to solve real-life problems.

The Evidence of Success

The University has achieved substantial success since this practice has been put in place at the DITU. The success of this practice is evident from the following outcomes-

1. The quantity and quality of placements improved with an upswing in the no. of organizations visiting for placements increasing by 69% over the last 2 years. For the year 2022 placement a highest compensation of Rs. 45.65 LPA for passing out students was achieved, which is nearly a 40% increase in the highest compensation offered.
2. High end dream organizations including core engineering organizations like Microsoft, Amazon, Commvault, JSW, Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India Ltd., L&T, etc. visited the campus for the 1st time offering employment to students.
3. The average compensation package increased from Rs. 4.8 LPA in the year 2021 to Rs. 5.5 LPA in the year 2022. Also, the number of jobs offered that lie in the range of salary packages of Rs. 08 LPA to Rs. 45 LPA has increased by approx. 38% in the year 2022 as compared to the previous year placements.
4. DIT University, Dehradun was awarded as one amongst the Top 10% Engineering Campuses at the National Level for assessment (AMCAT) carried out for the students of Batch 2022. The award was presented by Aspiring Minds. The award was given on the basis of actual performance of DIT students on a standardized test and not on the basis of superficial factors like infrastructure, faculty etc.
5. Total 212 students qualified various entrance exams such as GATE, CAT, Defense Services, PSUs, higher education, etc. in the year 2021 & 2022 (including a student securing an AIR-40 rank in GATE) so far and still counting.
6. The Career Development Centre, DIT University, promoted student success with additional value-added training on various on-demand technologies that blend career guidance sessions and company-specific technical training, resulting in an increase in the placement percentage of eligible students from 42.3% to 82.3% in the School of Engineering and Technology.
7. Employability Assessments by AMCAT, e-Litmus, and Career net were conducted to assess the employability quotient of the students. More than 800 students were evaluated from batch 2021, and about 700 students were evaluated from batch 2022. As a result, in batch 2022, 100% of students who took the employability assessment (AMCAT) scored higher than the national mean average in all modules, and many students were offered jobs through their employability scores.
8. The professional support of the student’s counsellor has resulted in positive, open and a harmonious environment, thus improving their mental health, well-being and self-esteem.

Challenges and Resolutions

The major challenge in adapting to this practice were-

1. During the initial phase, the major challenge was to motivate the students and create awareness.
2. Further, for career development training, the transition from a 100% outsourced model to a hybrid model while improving the quality.
3. Maintaining the right balance between the mandatory academic requirements and value-added skills training.
4. Designing the curriculum based on the needs of the students and feedback from our recruiters.
5. The remedial measures resorted to are as follows-
   1. Awareness of the concept is provided right from the induction held during the start of the first year and continuous emphasis on its importance.
   2. Periodic assessment for students to evaluate their progression.
   3. Selection of the training partners and aligning them towards the goals and objectives of the University.
6. The University adjusted the regular timetable to accommodate this new initiative.

This concept is dynamic, considering the evolving needs of the recruiters and periodic changes in the exam patterns. Thus, course structure mandates inbuilt flexibility and adaptability.

Based on our experience, the key to the success of the practice is meticulous planning and monitoring in the following areas:

1. Creation of an independent center for the development of professional competency.
2. Allocation of budget and other resources.
3. Assessment of students' potential.
4. Investment in technology for e-governance.
5. Collaboration and continuous interaction with industry and other stakeholders.