Dr. Sarika Nitin Zaware-Kale is currently working as Associate Professor & Head Computer Engineering Department at AISSMS Institute of Information Technology, Pune. Having several years of teaching and research experience, she has received many awards and recognitions including ‘Best Paper Award’ by IEEE and ‘Best Accredited Student Branch Award’ from CSI. She has been a part of many conferences, seminars, workshops, FDPs, STTPs, etc. Also, she has received research grants from many institutions. 

AISSM’s Institute of Information Technology

How do you use your immense knowledge and experience for student benefit?

“Strategic development and skill enhancement”

The vision of the Computer Engineering department is to create an Engineer, receptive to the changing demands of the global market. In line with this vision, we plan all departmental activities to provide technically competent professionals in service to the nation. The activities are planned by taking suggestions from industry experts, alumni and faculty members. Then, we identify the experts in a particular domain. After each activity, the outcome is measured by conducting tests on the topic, by developing mini projects and by collecting feedback from students. I ensure all activities to be conducted effectively and efficiently to develop and train graduates according to the needs of dynamically changing technology.

How has Covid-19 impacted the placements of the current academic year?

“Transforming the pattern and practices of recruitment”

This academic year was not much challenging as only the form and pattern of placements activities and conducting interviews was changed. Accordingly the students were developed to appear in online interviews and online training programmes were conducted. However, this pattern of online recruitment process helped the students, coordinators as well as the Training and Placement office to develop etiquettes, communication skills for the virtual interactions and prepare conducive infrastructure for the online interviews. AISSMS IOIT is familiar with all placement activities with changed patterns and business environment, as well as conducting all pre placement activities effectively. In-spite of drastic change in the interview pattern and the Covid-19 pandemic, our 284 students get placed in the various national and internationally reputed organizations.

What do you think are your roles and responsibilities to the students?

“Facilitating students with every aspect of learning”

As an academician and subject teacher; I have actively contributed to the development of syllabus, course content and evaluation system of the University for the betterment of student learning. I am also a member of syllabus setting, question paper setting and evaluation committees. As a Head of Department; I need to communicate and get solutions from the University authorities on the students' issues related to course content, exam pattern, level of question paper, students’ evaluation and results discrepancies. As a head of department, I am taking care of all students’ academic issues like teaching and learning, performing laboratory practical’s, syllabus coverage and use of innovation teaching learning practices. Providing adequate facilities to students for performing practical, developing projects as well as carrying out curricular and extracurricular activities are my concerns as well. 

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What are the different industry-connected programs that take place at AISSMS IOIT?

“Successful collaborations and advanced practical exposure”

The institute understands that making students ready professionals is a really important aspect for recruitment. The institute conducts different aptitude training programmes, technical training programmes, arranging interactions with HR Heads, conducting mock interview rounds etc. The institute has collaboration with AMCAT world’s largest aptitude training organization that helps students not only in training but also offers various recruitment opportunities. The institute has also collaborated with various global certifications to make students industry ready. All faculties of AISSMS IOIT are connected with different industries for providing internship, training and placement opportunities to the students. CCRP (Campus to corporate readiness program) is being conducted to train students on soft skills, aptitude skills, logical reasoning, group discussion and interview skills. Industrial exposure via industrial visits and trips is given to students so that they get familiar with professional culture and environment. All departments of AISSMS IOIT have MoU with different corporate houses for Training and development, academic projects, project recruitment, etc.

Tell us about the diversity of companies for the placements in AISSMS IOIT?

“Multiple sort of public and private organizations”

A range of multinational companies in Software, IT sector, IT enabled services, digital marketing and security etc. come up for recruitment at AISSMS IOIT. Also, private sector companies from Startup to transcontinental domain of software, hardware, electronics, telecommunication, electrical and instrumentation are invited to get students placed. Some government sectors such as Indian Army, Navy also show up and pick our students for service to the nation. 

How do you help your students to cope with the high competition outside?

“Opportunities to acknowledge, learn and grow”

We provide student centric learning environments like peer study, study circle, students association platform etc. to help students enhance their lifelong learning skills and overall personality. The various activities like CCRP, Industrial training, Value added courses, internship, project competition and paper presentation directly help students to compete globally. The department encourages and sponsors students to take part in various technical competitions, project competitions, seminars and conferences at national and international level. Also, we organize various project/coding/paper presentation/poster presentation competitions at Institute and Department level to provide a platform to students. All together, along with technical knowledge and skill sets, participation in various activities develop a sound personality and competitive spirit to cope up with competition.

What approaches do you bring in apart from the academics to train the students?

“Effective and skill-oriented practices”

Apart from academic knowledge we have included a diverse range of activities to train the students and make them employable. We follow a 50:10 Module, where 50 minutes are for teaching and 10 minutes for students’ presentation on respective subject topics. This helps to improve their communication skill and confidence building. Internships at various companies and organizations help to enhance technical skills of students that are directly helpful for placements. Students are trained on latest trends and technologies that make them ready to work in industry. Different value added courses are conducted by all departments to enhance the technical skills of students. All departments have established industry sponsored laboratories where students will get exposure to work on the latest tools and techniques which are currently used in the industries. 

What would you like students to know about AISSMS IOIT that they might not know?

“Practices for students development at every level”

Along with high-tech and most advanced infrastructure, in AISSMS IOIT, we are using student centric teaching methods to make teaching learning more interactive and interesting. We focus on having more and more involvement of students in the teaching learning process through presentation modules, peer study group, study circle and departmental student association activities. AISSMS IOIT has a well equipped incubation center and R&D laboratories where students can avail support to carry out their innovation and research work.

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What valuable advice would you like to give to the students?

“Hard work is the key of success”

There is no shortcut for hard work. In fact, try smart work. Smart work is today’s need, it is not a new concept, it is nothing but doing the work effectively and efficiently with planned approach and complete within timeline. Students must try to understand their area of interest and work on it up to the extent. Put consistent efforts in a smart way and you will get what you desire.