Marwadi University VC Sandeep Sancheti shares mantra behind record placements, upcoming courses

Shiksha.com got in touch with Marwadi University, Vice Chancellor, (Professor) Dr Sandeep Sancheti to know more about Marwadi University's vision. The Professor talked about the mantra behind record placements, upcoming collaborations, unique courses, changes in MU admissions and more. Check out some interesting excerpts from the interview below:

With an unwavering placement record, Marwadi University students yet again managed to bag record placements. Shiksha.com got in touch with Marwadi University, Vice Chancellor, (Professor) Dr Sandeep Sancheti to know more about Marwadi University's vision. The Professor talked about the mantra behind record placements, upcoming collaborations, unique courses, changes in MU admissions and more. Check out some interesting excerpts from the interview below:

Q: Marwadi University secured placements of over 850 students in top MNCs across India. What is the Mantra?

A: While we are very happy with our performance in the domain of training and placements, it cannot be related to any one specific Mantra. The efforts we undertake are highly multidimensional, allowing a student to choose and perform better in their domains of interest. One of the major initiatives is delivering required exposure right from the second semester onwards across all programmes, including Summer and Winter Internships. On average, during the past 3 years, we have been inviting 450+ companies, including top MNCs, for campus placements. These companies offer highly coveted and general placement offers which can be seized by students through constant hard work and dedication. In the light of recent UGC guidelines, students are directed to go through mandatory training at MU in order to enhance their skills, knowledge and attitude to facilitate their future growth and opportunity to seek higher packages.

However, to sum it up in a form of a Mantra, it can be stated as, “Diverse Exposure + Consistent Drive = Success Amplified.”          

Also Read: Marwadi University celebrates 6th Convocation Ceremony; Over 2000 degrees conferred

Q: Do Students at Marwadi University get placement training?

A: At Marwadi University, the student progress cycle starts from enrolment and goes to graduation and beyond. From creating an optimal learning environment in their academic years to ultimately landing plum jobs or facilitating their entrepreneurial journey, each step is managed effectively for an outstanding learning outcome. Dedicated Placement and Career Development Cells train students to become industry ready and conduct programmes for soft skills development, personality development, and qualitative and quantitative aptitude development along with placement-specific training like mock personal interview, mock group discussions, assessments and company-specific training. Further, the Career Development Cell provides students with SIG training of various levels that help them with experiential learning, reflection & observation, critical & creative thinking, verbal ability, and analytical mindset.

In recent years, we have also embarked on offering training spots to our students within the industry. As of now, we have taken more than 800+ training spots in a bilateral arrangement between industries and us. It is targeted that in the upcoming year, we raise the spots to 2000 so that all the students enrolled in professional courses have practical training delivered through Marwadi University itself, while they study and excel in their respective domain.

Q: What are the new courses that Marwadi University is planning to launch?

A: MU has been recently accredited by NAAC with an A+ rating for the University’s overall performance and excellence. Thereby, we receive a higher degree of freedom in terms of academic planning and delivery. The University has been offering multidisciplinary programmes and would further strengthen the domains of allied health sciences, agriculture, and humanities & social sciences. These programmes would be incorporated at the UG level. Existing programmes will be converted to a 4-year scheme with a provision of multiple entry and exit. With our accreditation, we have become entitled to start programmes in open & distance learning. Being in line with that, we plan to start some programmes in the fields of Management as well as Computer Science and Applications.

Q: What are some unique courses that candidates may opt for at Marwadi University?

A: The University has a portfolio of multiple unique courses that are preferred on the basis of its demand and utility in the job market and entrepreneurship promotion. Some of such special courses include an Engineering (BTech) Degree in Bioinformatics, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Data Science; Computer Applications Degree in Cyber Security, Cyber Law, Cloud Computing; Management, Social Science, Science and Health Science Courses, Integrated Law with 8 mandatory internships, BSc (Hons) Economics, BCom with ACCA, Agriculture and Nursing.

In addition to the mainstream courses, we have started offering programmes with minor specializations from 2023-24 including subjects like entrepreneurship and web technology. These will be offered across a portfolio of streams of specialization wherein a student will have to earn around 18-20 extra credits and would also require a pre-qualification to avail these minor specializations. We are also planning to start specialized courses on Foundry Technology and VLSI Technology which are in demand in the region.

Q: Marwadi University recently collaborated with leading Universities in Poland and Hungary. Is the varsity planning some new collaboration for academics and research?

 A: New national and international collaborations for Academics and Research are always an ongoing activity and are prioritized in the areas of mutual interest. Same is a pressing priority as per the NEP 2020 directions and guidelines. Recently the statutory bodies have also released a clear set of directions in this respect. As of now, the University has collaborations across all 5 continents with more than 100 partners across 30 countries. We are also a part of some prestigious international project activities and funding like ERASMUS+, DAAD, British Council, ACU. We have also joined hands with Governments, particularly of African countries, under joint MoUs wherein the scholarship is provided by the respective government for studying at Marwadi University. We have also established partnerships with a dozen edtech companies in delivering high value and new generational courses. To top these associations, we have a large number of partnerships with industries as well.

Q: What are some major changes in Marwadi University Admission Process?

A: The Centre of Excellence status awarded by the Government of Gujarat to Marwadi University gives full autonomy for admissions to us. Indigenous system developed by Marwadi University is implemented to facilitate students for online applications to facilitate effective and easy processes. The University accepts all National level entrance tests like JEE, CAT, CMAT, CLAT, GUJCET and State Government tests conducted for specialized courses like GPAT. Considering the quality of students, the admission prerequisites are being improved for certain programmes and the diversity of students admitted from across the country is taken into consideration. Students are admitted from across the country. In case any student has missed appearing in any of the Central level tests for admissions, MU takes its own test for providing an admission opportunity to professional courses. Admissions for foreign students are taken through the Study in India (SII) (a Ministry of Education initiative) and internal opportunities which are hosted on our website.

Q: Are there any scholarships offered that can benefit candidates for higher education?

A: The University offers scholarships to meritorious and needy students based on their performance. Special scholarships are available under Sports Quota and for the wards of Military Personnel. The University is recognised under the Gujarat Government’s MYSY Scholarship, Bihar Government’s DRCC Scheme, and Vidya Lakshmi Yojana. Scholarship Entrance Tests are also organized for admissions to MBA and MCA programmes. Presidential Scholarship is offered to the International Students. Apart from this, the Government of Mozambique and a few other countries are giving scholarships for their citizens to study at Marwadi University. Additionally, the University also provides exposure to various summer/winter internships and a freedom to pursue work while they study.

Q: Considering that, the whole education system is moving towards skill development. How can a candidate be industry-ready? What type of skills companies are looking for in an ideal candidate?

A: Skills are an essential new aspect of the higher education space and lots of new avenues are being created to deliver the same. Marwadi University has already embarked on a new scheme of One Student, One Skill, Per Year. In due course of time the same will be upgraded to One Student, One Skill, Per Semester. Such a scheme would help deliver better quality of the 4-year degree programmes where skill course delivery is essential to allow exit points at different levels.

As of now, we offer a range of around 100 skill courses which are over and above regular courses. Some of these programmes are NSDC approved, some offered through Sector Skill Councils, and some are directly in association with Edtech companies and industries. We are also a part of AICTE’s scheme called NEAT where many our students are taking benefit of the skill-based courses through an open and cost-effective platform. The University has also decided to accept the credits of the skill-based courses for consideration in awarding of degrees under ABC scheme.

Companies have diverse requirements today and look for soft skills consisting of communication, attitude, learnability, problem-solving, design, etc. Many of these are delivered both as an integrated part of the programme and through value-added courses by the Career Development Cell at MU.

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