Colleges in India, at large, adopt an academic-centric model of education. This process is more about gaining facts and less about learning. The very best way to address this problem is to introduce life-changing skill training. Providing the right kind of skills that are needed to face the challenges of the dynamic world, Adichunchanagiri University (ACU) is training its students in Communication, Technical, Analytical, Logical, and Soft Skills, apart from imparting good knowledge in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Data Analytics and Data Science, Internet of Things and programming languages. “These skills help the students stand out in the industry, making them ready to be employed, as they fulfil the industry requirements,” says Dr C K Subbaraya, Registrar, ACU.
Signing MOUs with many reputed organizations for Academic and Industry Collaborations, ACU had been encouraging staff and students to pursue research in their respective subjects. Promoting research, ACU has established the Adichunchanagiri University Center for Research & Innovation (ACU-CRI), Center for Research Management & Industrial Linkage (CORMIL), Center for Molecular Pharmaceutics & Advance Therapeutics (CMPAT), and Center of Innovation at BGS Institute of Technology. “We involve industry experts in designing the curriculum to meet the needs of the recent requirements and keep our students updated,” adds Dr Subbaraya.
Imparting All-Round Education
A multi-disciplinary university comprising of Medical, Engineering, Management, Pharmacy, Nursing, Commerce, Education, and Natural Science, ACU employs a broad range of strategies to expand the horizon of World Knowledge, Provide instruction, Teaching-Learning, Training, Research and Development at the level of Higher Education in its faculties. Envisioning to educate its students with the Value Systems of Empathy, Enrichment, Equity, Excellence, Empowerment, Entrepreneurship & Enlightenment to Serve the Society, ACU aspires to achieve excellence for Quality Assurance, Enhancement & Sustenance in Academics & Research to produce Graduates of Global Standards.
Causing a massive disruption, ACU sent its students home due to the Pandemic Outbreak. The hospital attached to the university’s Medical College has seen an influx of large numbers of patients who were investigated, admitted, and treated for Covid-19 infection. The lockdown and subsequent unlock phase created a severe financial crunch, which has affected all activities of the university. But it helped create an avenue for the future to adapt to the Digital Education System. ACU realized the gravity of the situation and without wasting any time immediately adapted to the changed scenario and implemented Online Teaching from 24th March (From the first day of the nation-wide lockdown). They overcame this difficult situation by planning and implementing e-learning /e-classes for the students on Google Meet and Zoom platform, along with online assessment.
The Faculty of ACU has now adapted to the current situation and strictly following preventive measures like wearing a mask, social distancing, and hand sanitization. The university also established its capabilities to plan and conduct an online teaching program. ACU utilized the difficult period to upgrade the infrastructure snd adapt ICT facilities in effective ways to communicate even in times of suspension of regular classes.
The students at ACU are continuously monitored through periodical internal-assessments and encouraged to focus on their careers by working hard in their studies and also by undergoing various Add-on certificate courses. The university encourages its students to strive for more by mentoring them, Organising Seminars, Symposium, personality enrichment workshops, and seminars. Offering and facilitating scholarships for the economically weaker sections and meritorious students, they get a hands-on learning experience at the university through Industrial visits, projects, and In-Plant training to gain exposure for practical knowledge. “All our institutions provide IT services to the students, such as Internet access through Campus-wide Wi-Fi, LAN, University Website, Computer, and Email service. We also take care of various Video-conferencing and Webcast events of UGC, State, and Central Governments,” states Dr Subbaraya.
Regularly conduction workshops, seminars, conferences, invited talks, webinars at the state level as well as national & international levels, ACU helps its faculty members practically update their knowledge in the emerging areas. Faculty members that are well-qualified and experienced, Dr Subbaraya says, “Many of our faculty members have published their research papers in reputed journals and filed for patents recognition”.
Helping Students Step into the Industry
With approximately 50% of the graduates receiving campus placements, the students at ACU are given training from the first year itself on aptitude and developing Soft-skills essential to perform better during the campus recruitment drive. “We have had major MNCs and companies like ICICIBank, Codilar, Pathfront, ToppersTechnologies, M/S CS, Quest Informatics, NTT Data, Q spiders, Tayana Software, Quinnox, Cognizant, Pin click Pvt Ltd, Equitas, SYS-CON, Wipro, CMS, Pin click Equitas, SYS-CON, Wipro, CMS, IT Capgemini, ABC, Just Dial, Mphasis, ICICI Bank, Codilar, Agrima Roof & Façade, Infosys and Mind tree recruit our students,” remarks Dr Subbaraya.
Facilitating students and staff to procure funding from various funding agencies through the ACU-Innovation Cell, the university encourages the Start-Up Acceleration Program, which enables the students to become competent and successful entrepreneurs. ACU also has a separate Innovation-Incubation Cell to cater to the needs of new ideas to obtain IP (Intellectual Property)and convert into a patent, followed by a product. “We also provide seed funds for developing new ideas from young minds and encourages students to take research studies through PhD programs,” adds Dr Subbaraya. Encouraging students and faculty to embrace their spirit of entrepreneurship, ACU started the EDP Cell that conducts periodic entrepreneurship awareness programs and helps promote start-ups by collaborating with industry experts to cater to the thrust areas of niche skills of cutting edge technologies.
Preparing the campus for the safe return of students, ACU is ensuring their safety majorly in the teaching-learning areas, hostels, and mess areas. The university has started teaching programs in small groups to prevent crowding and follow social distancing by adding the e-teaching competent. Aiming to embrace other important institutions into its ambit from the umbrella SAST® trusts such as AIT, Chikamagalur, SJCIT, Chikkaballapur, and an Ayurvedic Medical College and few other institutions, Dr Subbaraya concludes, “We aspire to get recognized by the University Grants Commission, NAAC, and other Accrediting bodies and aims to excel in setting the benchmark in providing the best multi-disciplinary courses”.
About Dr C K Subbaraya
Dr C K Subbaraya has served 42 years as a Teacher, Administrator, Principal (20 years), and elevated to the position of the “Registrar” of prestigious Adichunchanagiri University- Head office at BG Nagara which includes Six Constituent Colleges in the field of Medical, Pharmacy, Nursing, Allied Health Sciences, Engineering, Management, Commerce, Education and Natural Science & Ph.D program in all fields. He has published 20 research papers in National and International Journal/Proceedings. Also, he has presented several papers at National & International Conferences & Seminars. He has conducted many National & International Conferences & Seminars. He is in the editorial board of National & International journals. For his outstanding achievements in the field of education, he has been honoured with National Award as Best Engineering College Principal of the year 2005, instituted by Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan. Awarded “Best Engineering College Principal – 2016 Karnataka Region” by IEAE- Institute for Exploring Advances in Engineering also Awarded “Excellent Principal in Karnataka” by Dept. of MNRE, Dept. of MSME, AICTE, AIU, CMAI, VTU during IInd National Karnataka Education Summit & Awards 2016.