Latest news with #S.Vidyashankar
Hans India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Varsity launches innovative ‘industry inside the campus' initiative
Belagavi: In a pioneering step towards integrating industry with academics, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, has launched a novel initiative titled 'Industry Inside the Campus'. This move comes on the heels of the university making headlines for declaring exam results within an hour—yet another testament to its push towards student-centric reforms. To implement this new concept, VTU has established the Visvesvaraya Research and Innovation Foundation (VRIF) on its main campus, opening up space for companies in drone technology, software development, electric vehicles, IoT, PCB manufacturing, AR/VR, and more. These companies are now operational on campus, with full-fledged training for final-year engineering students set to begin from August. Speaking to this reporter , VTU Vice-Chancellor Prof. S. Vidyashankar said, 'Students now gain hands-on experience and practical exposure within the campus. We've established rapid innovation centres such as the Schneider Acceleration Centre, Proteus, Cadence, and an Electrical Vehicle Lab to bridge the skill gap. Through VRIF, we aim to create not just employees but future employers.' One of the key players in the initiative is Saras Aerospace, a startup established in 2022, specializing in carbon fiber drones and airframe production. Co-founder Brijesh Kumar Koparde noted, 'Thanks to VTU, we operate from within the campus. We train students not only in drone technology but also in equipment used for drone testing. We've delivered over 200 drones across the country, including to the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Our product range includes drones valued between RS1.5 lakh and RS 30 lakh.'Currently, nearly 90 students are undergoing hands-on training with Saras Aerospace. Rajat Hanshate, a final-year engineering student, shared, 'I've developed an Unmanned Ground Vehicle during my internship here. From 3D modeling to integrating sensors and cameras, everything was facilitated. I gained immense exposure to the practical aspects of drone-making for both defence and agriculture.' Another student, Swastik Hegde, emphasized the value of his training, 'I've been interning here for two months. I've learned PCB design and IoT sensor integration. I even worked on a Retractor Landing Gear project. I'm truly grateful to VTU for creating such platforms.' The 'Industry Inside the Campus' initiative is expected to benefit at least 2,500 students in the coming academic year. The university hopes this integrated industry-academia ecosystem will not only make graduates job-ready but also empower them to become entrepreneurs. 'This is not just about employment, it's about entrepreneurship,' reiterated Prof. Vidyashankar.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
AICTE guidelines for apprenticeship training in engineering and diploma courses
With an aim to integrate apprenticeship training into engineering degree and diploma programmes, to ensure students gain practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has released Apprenticeship Embedded Degree/Diploma Programme (AEDP) guidelines. According to the guidelines, the permissible embedded apprenticeship is a minimum of two semesters for engineering degree and one semester for diploma. The maximum duration of apprenticeship should be as per the decision taken by the institute or university, but a maximum of four semesters for engineering and three semesters for diploma. Earlier, it was six months apprenticeship for engineering courses, and three months for diploma courses. Why this initiative Technical industries such as information technology (IT), automotive, power, manufacturing and construction are at the forefront of innovation and technological advancements. Apprenticeships in these sectors expose individuals to cutting-edge technologies and practices, preparing them for careers in rapidly evolving industries. 'According to a survey by NASSCOM in 2019, India produces 15 lakh engineering graduates every year, but only 2.5 lakh of them succeed in getting jobs in the core engineering industry. In another survey by Aspiring Minds, 80% of Indian engineers were unemployed in 2019'AEDP guidelines Further, it states that a major reason for employability challenges is that many graduates are not skilled enough to work in the engineering sector after completing their graduation. 'To make students industry-ready, degree apprenticeships combine learning and on-the-job training, with the potential to earn while one learns. As per the evaluation studies conducted by NITI Aayog, 79% of the apprentices got employment after successful completion of one year of apprenticeship training,' the guidelines state. Additional credits Implementation of AEDP is aimed at enhancing employability avenues of students, promote active linkage between the higher educational institutions and industries, while allowing students to get stipend. Students get an additional credits from this programme. As per the National Credit Framework (NCF), 30 hours of training correspond to one credit. Apprenticeship training for a duration of one year (1,200 hours) would correspond to 40 credits, and a 6-month (600 hours) apprenticeship corresponds to 20 credit. S. Vidyashankar, Vice-Chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), told The Hindu, 'AEDP guidelines are important for the skill development of students. The engineering courses curriculum for the year 2025-26 is being revised. All the aspects of the guidelines will be implemented.'
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
VTU releases results in an hour after exams
Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi based technological university, has released results of the final semester within an hour of completing the final examination on Friday. Vice-Chancellor S. Vidyashankar claimed it had broken its own earlier record of announcing results in three hours of the examination. They will get the provisional degree certificates on June 3. The results of 50,321 final semester students of B.E./ has been released in an hour of the students completing the final examination. The examination ended at 6.30 p.m. on Friday. The results were declared in an hour. VTU sent result sheets by WhatsApp messages to all students. 'This the second time VTU is breaking its own historic milestone of announcing the results in a record time. The first time, results for the 2019 batch of 43,662 students were declared on 30.05.2023, two days after the final exam. The second time a batch of 37,011 graduates got their results in three hours after the examination. Today, we conveyed the results in an hour of the final examination. We have also ensured that results were declared on May 30, in the last three years. He said the theory papers were evaluated before the practical examinations began. Once the practicals ended, we compiled the results and released them,' he said. 'The swift release of results for BE, BArch, BPlan. (Honors) programs will greatly benefit students in their job search and further academic pursuits. Beginning on May 31st, students who have successfully completed all their semester exams and fulfilled their degree requirements can apply online for their provisional degree certificates (PDC). PDC will be issued from June 3rd. Students who apply for revaluation are not eligible for PDC,' he said. This remarkable achievement reflects the committed and visionary leadership, unwavering commitment of VTU staff. I congratulate all teachers, staff of the head quarters and all the affiliated Engineering colleges, he said.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
VTU Kalaburagi Regional Centre distributes laptops among SC/ST students
In an initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide and promoting inclusive education, the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) Regional Centre in Kalaburagi distributed laptops to 70 eligible students from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. The distribution ceremony took place at the VTU's Regional Centre for Postgraduate Studies in Kalaburagi on Friday. Beneficiaries included students from MTech programmes (CSE, VLSI, CCT, and CHT), MCA, MBA, and undergraduate courses in Computer Science and Electronics. Addressing the students on the occasion, B. Shambhu Lingappa, director of VTU's Regional Centre for Postgraduate Studies, Kalaburagi, lauded VTU Vice-Chancellor S. Vidyashankar for consistently prioritising student welfare and holistic development. 'Mr. Vidyashankar's initiatives to distribute laptops among the students from marginalised sections for enhancing the academic and technical proficiency of students is commendable. This initiative, spearheaded by VTU's SC/ST Cell, is a significant step towards ensuring equal access to digital resources and fostering educational empowerment. It reflects the university's commitment to supporting students from disadvantaged communities in their academic pursuits. The procurement and implementation of the laptop distribution programme was made possible through the efforts of Pralhad Rathod, Liaison Officer (Belagavi), who played a pivotal role in its execution,' he said. He also reaffirmed VTU's dedication to providing all students with an equitable and technologically advanced learning environment by stating that the initiative marked another significant stride towards empowering students from underprivileged backgrounds and reducing the digital divide in higher education. Programme coordinators M.A. Waheed, Satish Upalonkar, and Brijbhushan, SC/ST Coordinator Rahul Moolbharati were present.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
VTU asks students to cultivate wide reading habit
'Engineering students should cultivate the habit of wide reading. It will not only enlarge your world view, but also distinguish you from those who study only textbooks for the sake of examinations,' Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) Vice-Chancellor S. Vidyashankar has said in Belagavi. 'Such reading, especially about achievers, will inspire you to become successful entrepreneurs. Famous entrepreneurs like Narayana Murthy of Infosys, Azim Premji, Dhirubhai Ambani, Bill Gates, Elon Musk or others show us how to think differently and never give up on our dreams. When we read these stories, we learn not only about their achievements but also about the lessons they learned. All of them were not born with a golden spoon in their mouth, but they all worked hard to achieve their success. As students, you should read about such persons. They will motivate you, build your confidence and open your mind to new possibilities. Who knows? one day, your story may inspire others,' he said. 'Wide reading will also help you understand various issues like trade and economics, apart from technology and social issues,' he said. He was speaking to students from various colleges during a 'campus exposure' programme called 'Academia Connectus'. Over 2,200 students from various engineering colleges from around Belagavi participated in the event in which they were exposed to the internship and skill training facilities set up by the university on its campus. The Vice-Chancellor said that VTU has set up several Centres of Excellence for imparting skill development and entrepreneurship in students. Prof. Vidyashankar said that laboratories and study centres set up on the VTU campus are aimed at holistic development of engineering students. Under these schemes, students are being given skills required in today's professional sector through internships and skill training. Various industries are being invited to the campus and to benefit poor but talented students. For example, QMagna has already set up its training centre with the objective of 'Learning along with Earning' and has also set up state-of-the-art Centres of Excellence in Drone Technology, Electric Vehicle, Industrial Automation, Home Automation, Solar Automation, CNC Machine Workshop, AI, IoT and VLSI, AR and VR. VTU has made these facilities available for affiliated engineering colleges, while skill training internship programmes will be offered for affordable fees. Under this, students will be exposed to practical aspects related to design, programming and software development, he said. He said that VTU has set up a Section 8 company called Visvesvaraya Research and Innovation Foundation (VRIF) to identify and fund innovative and creative skills of students and to provide a platform to give concrete form to new ideas and start new ventures. He urged all students and faculty to utilize these facilities effectively to acquire skill-based industry-oriented knowledge. Registrar B.E. Rangaswamy, Registrar (Evaluation) T.N. Srinivas, Research and Development Director Basavakumar K.G. and heads of all departments were present, said a release.
