National Institute of Technology

Jul 25, 2023

NITC revamps curriculum, enhances innovation to implement NEP 2020

Institute envisages to emerge as a Multidisciplinary Education and Research University

National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) has taken a great leap in the implementation of NEP 2020 (National Education Policy) by revising academic programmes and curriculum. The Institute has envisaged many programmes aiming to emerge as a Multidisciplinary Education and Research University (MERU) by offering imaginative and flexible curricular structures to enable creative combinations of disciplines for learning.

NIT Calicut has completed the revision of syllabi for various undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes after a year-long review and revision by the Institute’s curriculum revision committees in consultation with industries and recruiters and support of faculty, alumni and students.

The initiative was introduced by a team led by Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NITC according to whom, the choice-based credit system enables excellent flexibility for the students, allowing them to choose from a prescribed list comprising the core, elective, and skill-based courses.

The Institute has also introduced a set of minor programs in cutting-edge new technologies such as Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, etc in the revised curriculum to ensure multi-skilling and inter/cross-sectoral skilling, he added adding that all the revamped programmes and curriculum will come into effect from the upcoming academic year.

“We are focusing on student exchange programmes and a collaboration with IIT Hyderabad has already started. Nine final year BTech students from different departments will go to IIT Hyderabad to pursue their final year,” said Dr. Sameer S M, Dean (Academic). The credits they acquire from there will be considered while awarding them BTech.

Industry collaboration is another focus area with NEP. We are in the process of appointing professors of practice, visiting faculty from industry and are promoting internships in Industry/Govt/R&D Labs/Public Sector in the revised curriculum, he said.

In addition, the institute is also introducing multiple entry and exit options in different educational programs and integrated BSc- BEd programme from the 2023 academic year.

NIT Calicut has also established fifteen multidisciplinary centres with various themes in consensus with the spirit of NEP 2020 aiming at holistic education focusing on different aspects of life including intellectual, aesthetic, social, physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual, said, Dr. J Sudhakumar, Director-in-Charge and Dean (Faculty Welfare). NITC has also been focusing on the wellness of students, faculty, and staff by introducing a set of holistic programs that encompasses physical fitness, mental health, emotional resilience, and social connectedness, he said.

To promote innovation among students and faculty, NITC has set up a centre for innovation with the support of which NITC has bagged 8th position in the Innovation Ranking among all technical and engineering institutions across India, said Dr. N. Sandhyarani, Dean (Research and Consultancy). NIT Calicut is the only NIT among 31 NITs in the country to find a place in the first ten institutions included in the Innovation Ranking, she said.

NITC has so far received 25 patents and five trademarks and copyright certifications for student and faculty innovations. The Institute funded 43 student innovations during 2022-23 of which 14 patent applications have been filed.

The institute is also promoting startups with the support of Institute innovation council, TBI and Centre for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Incubation. Currently we have one student start-up, three registered start-ups by faculty and six more faculty start-ups in the pipeline, said Dr. Sandhyarani.

Apart from academic and research initiatives, NIT Calicut is gearing up for structural changes, said Dr. Priya Chandran, Dean (Planning and Development). In the wake of this new and exciting transcendence, the MoE and the Institute Administration have funded and planned several major infrastructure projects for accommodating the evolving requirements of the Institute community, she said.

According to her, a new academic block to house the increased faculty, student and staff strength, a new 33kV substation in the campus for meeting the energy requirements, and a new subway for connecting two parts of the campus etc are part of these.

Besides, the institute has a master-plan prepared by the department of Architecture and Planning. “On a long term basis, we are planning a school for Social Science and Economics, Heritage Centre, Satellite Campus facility and Integrated Sports cum Convention Centre amounting Rs 525 Cr,” said Dr. Priya.

The NEP 2020 prioritizes student wellness and well-being, acknowledging the significance of mental health and emotional development in students' overall growth and happiness. To ensure this, the policy proposes several measures, including establishing a robust system of counselling and guidance with trained counsellors and mentors. Additionally, it integrates life skills and value-based education into the curriculum and promotes physical education, sports, yoga, art, and cultural co-curricular activities to enhance students' physical fitness and mental well-being.

NITC has strategically set up various centres, such as the Centre for Yoga and Holistic Wellness, Centre for Cultural and Art Relations, and Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems to fulfil these requirements, said Dr. G K Rajanikant, Dean (Students Welfare). These centers offer a range of well-being-oriented curricula, like Art Appreciation, Architecture of Wellness, and Integral Karmayoga.

Moreover, the Student Guidance Cell provides confidential counseling services to address students' needs, while the Centre for Student Activities and Sports aims to foster social harmony, discipline, and personality development through physical education and sports. This allows students to relieve stress and cultivate a habit of regular physical activity in their daily education system, Dr. Rajanikant added.

Efforts are underway to ink Memorandum of Understanding with prominent institutions such as Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), and Heartfulness Education Trust (HET) in order to foster sports, self-care, and heartfulness meditation among students.

Dr. Shamasundara M S, Registrar of NITC also attended the news conference.

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