‘We’ve Ensured that Digital Roadmap at RKGIT is Inclusive and Stakeholder-Driven’: Dr D K Chauhan, Executive Director – Group, Raj Kumar Goel Institute of Technology 

RKGIT is committed to building a digitally empowered campus that supports quality education, efficient governance, and holistic student development. Dr D K Chauhan, ED, Raj Kumar Goel Institute of Technology (RKGIT), speaks to APAC Media that RKGIT has successfully aligned students, faculty, and administrators with its digital roadmap, ensuring ownership, adoption, and long-term sustainability.

What are the salient digital initiatives undertaken at RKGIT that you would like to highlight?

At RKGIT, we have undertaken several impactful digital initiatives to enhance teaching and learning, governance, and student support. Some of the salient initiatives are:

• Learning Management System (LMS): Implementation of a centralised LMS for sharing lecture notes, recorded lectures, assignments, quizzes, and continuous assessment, ensuring anytime, anywhere learning.
• Smart Classrooms: Classrooms equipped with smart boards, projectors, high-speed internet, and digital content tools to support interactive and blended learning.
• Digital Library & E-Resources: Access to e-journals, e-books, databases, and institutional repositories, along with remote access facilities for students and faculty.
• Online Academic Processes: Digitisation of admissions, registration, fee payment, examination forms, and result processing through secure online portals.
• ERP-Based Governance: Adoption of an ERP system covering academics, finance, HR, inventory, and student services for transparent and efficient administration.
• Virtual Labs & Simulation Tools: Use of virtual labs, remote labs, and simulation software for practical learning in engineering and applied sciences.
• Faculty Development in Digital Pedagogy: Regular training programs on online teaching tools, content creation, MOOCs, and outcome-based digital education.
• Student Support Platforms: Online grievance redressal, mentoring portals, placement tracking systems, and alumni networking platforms.
• Cybersecurity & Data Management: Secure servers, regular data backup, access control, and awareness programs on cyber safety.
• Innovation & Digital Skills Initiatives: Coding platforms, AI/ML tools, incubation support systems, and online innovation challenges to promote digital skills and entrepreneurship.

These initiatives collectively reflect RKGIT’s commitment to building a digitally empowered campus that supports quality education, efficient governance, and holistic student development.

How have you brought in all the stakeholders in the academic ecosystem, including students, faculty and admins, into this digital roadmap?

We have ensured that the digital roadmap at RKGIT is inclusive and stakeholder-driven by actively engaging students, faculty, and administrators at every stage—planning, implementation, and continuous improvement. This has been achieved through the following structured approach:

• Participatory Planning: Representatives from faculty, students, academic leaders, and administrative staff are part of digital planning and review committees. Their inputs guide the selection of platforms, tools, and priorities.
• Capacity Building & Training: Regular hands-on training programs, workshops, and refresher sessions are organized for faculty and staff on LMS, ERP, digital assessment tools, and online communication platforms. Students are oriented during induction and through periodic sessions.
• Student Digital Ambassadors: Tech-savvy students are identified as digital ambassadors to support peers and faculty in using digital platforms, creating a peer-to-peer support system.
• Phased Implementation: New digital systems are rolled out in phases with pilot groups from all stakeholder categories, allowing feedback-based refinement before full-scale adoption.
• Feedback & Continuous Improvement: Online feedback forms, surveys, and review meetings are used to capture user experience from students, faculty, and admins, and improvements are made accordingly.
• Clear Communication: Regular circulars, emails, dashboard notifications, and helpdesks ensure that all stakeholders are aware of digital initiatives, updates, and support mechanisms.
• Incentives & Recognition: Faculty and staff who actively adopt and innovate with digital tools are recognised through awards, appreciation letters, and performance-linked acknowledgements.
• Support & Helpdesk System: A dedicated IT and digital support team handles technical issues, training needs, and system maintenance to ensure smooth functioning.

Through this collaborative, capacity-building, and feedback-driven approach, RKGIT has successfully aligned students, faculty, and administrators with its digital roadmap, ensuring ownership, adoption, and long-term sustainability.

What are the technology courses in next-gen technologies that RKGIT has launched, including AI/ML, Data Science or IoT?

RKGIT has structured its engineering portfolio to include cutting-edge specialisations that focus on emerging technologies:

• Tech in Computer Science & Engineering (Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning)
• A full-time four-year undergraduate program focused on foundational and advanced concepts in AI and ML, preparing students for roles in intelligent systems and data-driven automation.
• Tech in Computer Science & Engineering (Data Science)
• This program emphasises data analytics, big data handling, predictive modelling, and the fundamental tools used in Data Science roles.
• Tech in Computer Science & Engineering (Internet of Things)
• A specialization that blends computing, embedded systems, networking, and IoT technologies to train students for designing connected systems and smart applications.
• Tech in Computer Science & Engineering (General) and Information Technology, which also covers elements of AI, ML, Data Science, and IoT through elective papers and lab components integrated into the curriculum.
• Skill-Enhancement Activities & Events
• Beyond formal degree programs, RKGIT also promotes engagement with next-gen technologies through:
• Hackathons & Innovation Challenges: For example, “NexGen Hack” – a 36-hour national-level hackathon that challenges students to build solutions using AI, IoT, robotics, and cybersecurity themes, fostering hands-on learning and problem-solving.
• Faculty Development Programs (FDPs): Workshops on topics such as AI-Driven Technology in VLSI Design for IoT Applications and Quantum Computing are organised for faculty and students to stay updated with evolving tech paradigms.

How would you rate your success in terms of industry-academia collaboration and what are the dynamics of the CoEs you have built with Nasscom, Cisco and PTC?

We would rate our success in industry–academia collaboration as strong and steadily growing, as it has moved beyond MoUs to active engagement in curriculum design, training, certification, innovation, and placements. The Centres of Excellence (CoEs) with NASSCOM, Cisco, and PTC are key pillars of this ecosystem.

• Overall Success in Industry–Academia Collaboration
• Active partnerships with leading industry bodies and technology companies
• Industry-aligned curriculum and electives
• Regular expert lectures, bootcamps, certification programs, and hackathons
• Joint skill development, faculty training, and student internships
• Direct impact on student employability and industry readiness
• Dynamics of Key Centres of Excellence
• CoE with NASSCOM
• Focus on emerging technologies like AI, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Digital Skills
• Industry-designed skill modules and certification pathways
• Faculty training and curriculum alignment with industry needs
• Student exposure through workshops, challenges, and innovation programs
• Bridge between academia and the national digital skilling mission
• CoE with Cisco
• Networking, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure focus
• Cisco Networking Academy curriculum integrated into academics
• Hands-on training through virtual and physical labs
• International certification support for students and faculty
• Strong pipeline for IT, networking, and security roles
• CoE with PTC
• Focus on Industry 4.0, IoT, CAD, PLM, and smart manufacturing
• Access to industry-grade software and tools
• Project-based learning aligned with real industrial problems
• Support for innovation, product design, and digital manufacturing
• Integration of engineering education with smart industry practices
• Impact of CoEs
• Students gain industry-recognised certifications
• Faculty stay updated with current technologies
• Curriculum remains future-ready
• Increased internships, projects, and placement opportunities
• Strong culture of innovation, startups, and applied research

How would you explain the functioning of RKGIT’s Instituion Innovation Council?

RKGIT’s Institution Innovation Council (IIC), established under the guidelines of the Innovation Cell, AICTE, functions as the central body to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-up culture on campus. Its functioning is structured, activity-driven, and outcome-oriented.

Structure and Governance

• The IIC is headed by a President (usually the Director/Principal) with a dedicated Convener, Co-Convener, and core committee members from academics, incubation, industry liaison, and student bodies.
• Student representatives, innovation ambassadors, and startup coordinators actively participate in planning and execution.

Planning and Execution

• Activities are planned in line with the annual calendar issued by AICTE–MIC.
• The council prepares semester-wise and theme-wise action plans covering innovation, IPR, startups, design thinking, and problem-solving.
• All activities are uploaded and monitored through the MIC portal.

Key Functional Areas

1. Innovation & Ideation

• Conducts ideathons, hackathons, innovation challenges, and problem-solving contests.
• Encourages students to work on real-life and industry-defined problems.
• Supports prototype development through labs, makerspaces, and CoEs.

2. Entrepreneurship & Startups

• Organises E-Summits, startup bootcamps, business plan competitions, and mentoring sessions.
• Connects students with incubators, investors, and government startup schemes.
• Supports student and faculty startups through mentoring and infrastructure.

3. IPR & Research Commercialisation

• Conducts workshops on patents, copyrights, trademarks, and technology transfer.
• Helps innovators in filing IPR and protecting their ideas.
• Promotes translation of research into products and startups.

4. Industry & Alumni Engagement

• Invites industry experts, entrepreneurs, and alumni founders for talks and mentoring.
• Facilitates industry-mentored projects and innovation challenges.

5. Student Engagement

• Innovation ambassadors and student clubs act as execution arms of IIC.
• Peer-to-peer learning, clubs, and innovation cells ensure mass participation.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Each activity is documented with outcomes, participation data, and impact.
• Performance is reviewed internally and through the AICTE–MIC rating and star ranking system.
• Feedback from students and mentors is used for continuous improvement.

Impact

• Increased student participation in innovation and startup activities
• Growth in prototypes, startups, and IPR filings
• Strong culture of design thinking and problem-solving
• Improved national visibility through AICTE–MIC recognition

How would you explain the operations of the skill development programs with the GTT Foundation?

The skill development programs at RKGIT, in collaboration with the GTT Foundation, can be operated through a structured, industry-aligned, and outcome-focused model aimed at enhancing students’ employability and job readiness.

Planning & Alignment

• Programs may be designed jointly by RKGIT and GTT Foundation based on industry needs and placement trends.
• Focus areas include technical skills, soft skills, employability skills, and digital competencies.
• Training calendars are integrated with the academic schedule to avoid academic disruption.

Program Structure

• Training through a mix of classroom sessions, hands-on workshops, online modules, and practice labs.
• Modules cover communication skills, aptitude, problem-solving, workplace ethics, digital tools, and domain-specific skills.
• Content is industry-relevant and continuously updated.

Faculty & Trainer Engagement

• GTT Foundation can provide certified and experienced trainers.
• RKGIT faculty act as coordinators to ensure alignment with academic outcomes.
• Joint monitoring ensures quality delivery.

Student Participation

• Students can be enrolled batch-wise based on year, stream, and skill requirements.
• Special focus on final-year and placement-bound students.
• Regular assessments, mock tests, and practice sessions.

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‘It is Essential to Integrate Management, Science and Technology as No Single Stream can Function in Isolation’: Dr Surabhi Bhadauria, Pro-Chancellor, Pratap University