Prof. Shailaja Bhagwat has been working as an Associate Professor at Anantrao Pawar College of Architecture, Pune, Maharashtra. He has done M.Arch in Environmental Architecture domain as part of his academics.

APCOA

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

"My urge of keeping myself updated with latest trends and sharing my knowledge with youths are main factors"

I always had a passion for educating students and sharing my knowledge and experiences with the young minds, and working as a Professor in the education sector gives me perfect opportunities to do that and educating students about the basics of architectural study gives me immense positivity, happiness and encouragement to explore new ideas with them. So all these factors together have helped to stay associated with the education sector.

Being an Associate Professor, how do you strategize the key programs for your college?

"We all work as a team to inculcate best technical skills and ethical values in students"

As our college was established a few years back only, I believe we have enough scope for improvement and development of our courses, education pedagogies and teaching practices. And we not only deliver theoretical concepts and conduct practical but also inculcate social skills in students to make them socially responsible people so that they can work on real world issues with whatever knowledge they get from us. 

How does the curriculum of APCOA ensure the best practices of industry?

"We follow the curriculum designed by the University but supplement it with elective courses and rigorous training programs"

Being affiliated to SPPU, our college follows the curriculum prescribed by the university itself. But through social outreach programmes and electives courses we give required practical knowledge and exposure to our students about various issues of the Indian as well as global context and also educate them about latest technologies, sustainability practices and infrastructure development methods etc.

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What career options would be available for students after pursuing different courses from your college?

"Students can join either the Private or Public sector entities and both the sectors have abundant opportunities"

The field of Architecture is a very dynamic and growing area, so students will have amazing job opportunities in future. And after finishing their respective courses from our college they can work with Private and Government organizations, Defence companies and Planning and Development Authorities at both State and Central level. Also they can start their own practice or can work as a Consultant, Researchers, Product Designers or lastly they can pursue Masters in Indian or foreign universities.

What kind of opportunities does your college provide to students to help them pursue their dreams?

"We regularly organize different kinds of events like seminars, workshops and expert sessions for students"

We organize various kinds of workshops, seminars and guest lectures for both third and final year students to make them aware about various avenues and career opportunities they can go for after Graduation. In addition to this, we invite our Alumni to have interactive discussions and learning sessions and also to share difficulties they faced during studies and in professional life also with our students as many of our Alumni are already working with reputed industries, so I don't think anyone can guide their juniors better than them. And apart from guiding their juniors, our Alumni also train our students to be industry ready. 

What are some of the biggest challenges you see for higher education in general and APCOA specifically?

"Filling the gaps between students skills and industrial expectations is a real challenge"

I firmly believe that bridging the gaps between theoretical knowledge and practical exposure is a big challenge for the institutions nowadays. Also, there is a lack of analytical working-learning approach, which is another hurdle as far as the field of higher education is concerned. But if we will be able to remove all these issues from our educational practices and methodologies, that will be our biggest success and the same will be beneficial for both UG and PG students.

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Any suggestions which you would like to give to the current youth and aspiring students?

"I would like to suggest my students to keep upgrading their skills and stay disciplined towards their goals"

Today's youths and students have tremendous potential and creative skills and being a Teacher our job is only to teach them how to interpret data as per our requirements. So I would like to advise my students that whatever knowledge you gain over time, try to share it with others and never be afraid to communicate your viewpoint in front of others because this way only you can overcome the fear of public speaking. Also stay ethically, emotionally and mentally strong and fit, make best use of your time and stay attached to your roots.