THE CHRONICLES
(Monthly Newsletter of NICMAR University Pune)
Nurturing Ideas and Shaping the Built Environment of Tomorrow!!
October 2023
Volume 1, Issue 2
October 2023
Leadership Speak 
"The challenges of tomorrow will require graduates with diverse perspectives and skills. Let's foster inclusivity and creativity in our educational institutions."
In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, Universities are constantly striving for excellence. One of the pivotal measures of academic quality and institutional effectiveness is accreditation, and in India, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) plays a vital role in this pursuit of excellence. Its primary objective is to promote and ensure quality in higher education through a rigorous and standardized assessment process.
NAAC assessment criteria cover various aspects, including curriculum, teaching-learning processes, research, infrastructure, governance, and student support services. The grading ranges from 'A++' (highest) to 'D' (lowest).
Universities that undergo the NAAC accreditation process often experience transformative changes. They become more focused on improving the quality of education and processes, leading to a positive impact on students' learning outcomes. Moreover, the process fosters a culture of accountability and transparency within the University.
NAAC accreditation is a powerful tool for ensuring and enhancing the quality of higher education in India. It provides institutions with a roadmap for continuous improvement, helping them excel in the competitive world of academia. In today's globalized world, where the quality of education is of paramount importance, NAAC accreditation is a beacon guiding Universities towards excellence.
Accreditation will illuminate the path for NICMAR University, Pune, as we empower students and stakeholders alike, contributing significantly to the intellectual and employability growth of our nation. Together, we shall unlock new dimensions of creativity and inclusivity in higher education, laying the foundation for a distinguished future.
Warm regards,
Dr. Mrs. Sushma S. Kulkarni,
Vice Chancellor, NICMAR University, Pune
Announcement
October 2023
Latest Updates
MoU between NICMAR University, Pune and Wentworth School of Management
NICMAR University and Wentworth School of Management came together to explore ways to collaborate and officially celebrate the occasion through a joint signature to an MoU. The main focus areas of this MoU are - to promote collaboration and opportunities in teaching, research, and professional development of the respective institutions; to promote inclusive excellence among the educational programs at each institution; and to deepen the understanding of the avenues for strengthening partnerships and furthering academic excellence at respective institutions.
October 2023
Happenings @ NICMAR
Industry Academia Conclave on "Inspirational Women Leaders
NICMAR University, Pune organized an Industry Academia Conclave titled, “Inspirational Women Leaders" on 25th Sep. 2023. The conclave was organized in collaboration with the Women In Construction (WIC) forum and Genesis- the Gender Championship Club, at NICMAR University along with the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES) & Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC). Eminent women leaders from industry and academia participated in the conclave. The keynote speech was delivered by Chief Guest, Dr. Tarita Shankar, Chair Person and Chief Mentor, Indira Group of Institutes.
During the event, the book “Rising to the Top: Vol. III- Indian Women Stem Leaders Share Their Journeys to Professional Success” was launched by the hands of Chief Guest, Eminent panelists of the conclave, and Dr. Sushma Kulkarni, Vice Chancellor, NICMAR University and Editor of the book. The book is published by IFEES & GEDC. Dr. Hans J. Hoyer, Secretary General of IFEES & Executive Secretary, GEDC, spoke about the book by joining online during the conclave.
Genesis, a club for gender championship, harmony, and inclusivity, was launched during the conclave, as per UGC guidelines about gender championship. Five students were appointed as gender champions of NICMAR University who will facilitate various activities of the club and take the cause of inclusivity and harmony ahead. The conclave was attended by around 900 students including NICMAR students and students from various Engineering colleges in Pune.
There was an enriching panel discussion on the topic, ‘Breaking Gender Barriers: Challenges and Way Ahead’. The panel members, Mrs. Mayuri Dhavale, Dr. Tarita Shankar, Dr. Sushma Kulkarni, Mrs. Archana Srivastava, Dr. Janhavi Inamdar, Dr. Mrinalini Jadhav, Mrs. Deepali Kulkarni, and Dr. Hemlata Gaikwad participated actively during the panel discussion which was moderated by Dr. Kirti Rajhans.
Address by Vice Chancellor
Dr. Mrs. Sushma S. Kulkarni, Vice Chancellor, NICMAR University Pune, was invited as a Chief Guest for the Launching Ceremony of Learning Management System - MOODLE and distribution of the Best Teacher’s Award on the occasion of Teacher's Day on the 5th of September 2023 at Navsahyadri Group of Institutes, Faculty of Engineering, Naigaon, Pune.
Teacher’s Day 2023
The students of NICMAR University organized a special event to honour the faculty members who have played a significant role in shaping their lives. The event included cultural performances and speeches that highlighted the positive impact of teachers on students.
Workshop on “Outcome Based Education”
The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), NICMAR University, Pune organized a workshop on “Outcome Based Education with special reference to Curriculum Design and Development” on 26th September 2023. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mrs. Sushma S Kulkarni chaired the session. She explained the alignment of the School Vision and Mission Statements with the University Vision and Mission Statements and drawing and aligning the POs, PEOs, and PSOs to them.
Dr. Madhav B. Kumthekar joined as the external expert for the session. He explained about the NAAC requirement and guidelines in the context of NEP 2020. All School Deans and Programme Directors were present and participated enthusiastically in the workshop. Dr. P.K. Samanta, Director- IQAC offered a vote of thanks.
Expert Session
In continuation with sessions conducted in August 2023, Centre for Academic Practice in collaboration with IQAC conducted two more expert sessions on "Outcome Based Education" for all faculty members of NICMAR University Pune, on September 1, 2023, and September 20, 2023. Dr. Sushma Kulkarni, Vice Chancellor, NICMAR University, conducted this expert training session.
She gave hands-on training to the faculty members in these two sessions about 'Calculation of Programme and Course Outcome Attainment scores' which will help faculty to evaluate their own teaching-learning inputs and plan the strategies to improve it after understanding the weak areas. The sessions facilitated enthusiastic interactions amongst all faculty members and paved the way for implementing the best practices of Outcome Based Education for quality improvement and assessment at NICMAR university.
Faculty and Staff Achievements/Awards
Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Samanta was invited as a Resource Person for the Two Weeks Capacity Building Program on “Research Methodology and Academic Writing for Teachers and Researchers in Social Sciences” organised by Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, and sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi.
October 2023
Student Nook
Ganesh Utsav 2023
The Ganesh Utsav festival was celebrated on campus with great enthusiasm. The five-day-long festivities included various competitions, such as Rangoli, Cricket and Model Making, organized by the Ganesh Utsav committee.
The cultural evening on Day 4 was a highlight of the festival, with students dressing up in traditional attire. The festival concluded with a grand Dhol Tasha and Visarjan.
October 2023
Placement Spotlight @ Pune
The enduring partnership between NICMAR University, Pune, and Larsen & Toubro reflects a mutual respect for ethical values. The Placement Department under the guidance of Dr. Jonardan Koner, Professor and Dean Placements, and Industry Relations, and with the insightful contributions of Dr. Gautam Vikhe, Associate Director of Placements, recently orchestrated a Knowledge Sharing Session centered around the Latest Technological Trends in the Construction domain.
The event was graced by Dr. Sushma S Kulkarni Vice-Chancellor, NICMAR University along with Dr. C Jayakumar (Executive Vice President & Head - CHRO); Mr. J Kabilan (Vice President & Head - Human Resources, Divisional Corporate, L&T Construction); Mr. Niranjan Simha’s (Advisor - Strategic Initiatives); Mr. Shamim Ahmed (Deputy General Manager - Civil); Mr.E M Srinivasa (Deputy General Manager - Civil); Mr. Sasidhar Tadigotla (Joint General Manager - Design, Buildings & Factories, Fast); Mr. Sunil Kumar Sharma (Joint General Manager - Human Resources); Mr. Satyender Tanwar (Joint General Manager - Human Resources); and Mr. Daniel Johnson (DGM - Corporate HR, Young Professional Talent Acquisition)
The sessions shed light on India's longest Railway tunnel project by highlighting the significance of taking on challenging endeavours and delivering exceptional results. A captivating overview of the Bullet train project in India, a catalyst in transforming the country's transport sector was also provided along with unveiling the marvels of 3D Printing technology in construction. The session culminated with a leadership dialogue between NICMAR University and L&T dignitaries, where strategic objectives were discussed to further fortify the enduring bond between the two institutions.
The Knowledge Sharing Session was a resounding success, and our students are immensely grateful for the eye-opening experience that has broadened their perspectives on the construction industry.
Dr. Anil Kashyap
President and Chancellor
NICMAR University, Pune
Dr. Mrs. Sushma S. Kulkarni
Vice Chancellor,
NICMAR University, Pune
Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Samanta
Director IQAC,
NICMAR University, Pune
Dr. Vandana Bhavsar
Associate Professor,
NICMAR University, Pune
Dr. Soumi Rai
Associate Professor,
NICMAR University, Pune
