NIET: Sculpting Industry Ready Engineers

Mewanshwa Kharshiing
Engineering colleges today face the daunting challenge of carving out active professionals who are ready to take on the industry right as they graduate from the institution. Even in this era of disruptive technologies reshaping the world, universities are running the same outdated syllabi which are focused on textbook knowledge and avoidance of the importance of molding an individual to be job ready. This in turn results in the churning of students who are not equipped to meet the current industry requirements. With this apathy existing within a majority of institutions in the educational ecosystem today, Noida Institute of Engineering And Technology (NIET) located in Greater Noida, is rising to the challenge of breaking the barrier of traditional academic methodologies.

"Our top most priority at NIET is to help our students realize their dreams in an increasingly competitive world," says Dr O.P. Agarwal, Managing Director, NIET.

The institution is one of the first in North India to be a Microsoft Platinum Ed-Vantage partner. Under this, the institute has come up with Microsoft Innovation Center which is used by students and faculty members for research purposes. This caters to content and services which are designed to accelerate technology advances and stimulate local software economies through skills and professional training, industry partnerships and innovation. This partnership has enabled NIET to generate at least 250 internships and 100 placement opportunities for its students every year.

What makes NIET stand apart is its program that focuses on skills and workforce development which enables an increased emphasis on the students learning skills around intellectual capital, and people enablement! Structured employment programs such as innovation accelerator ensure students are job ready and industry ready in all aspects.

A Finishing School to Sharpen Skills

The institution has an edge over their competitors with a 'Pyramid Finishing School' under the aegis of Career Management Cell (CMC). NIET's Management has a tie up with a company called 'Aspiring Minds' �with an initiative to increase employability skills amongst fresh graduates to meet the ever-growing industry demand for suitable talent at the entry level. In the beginning of 5th semester, Aspiring Minds� assesses each student by conducting a test comprising aptitude and technical questions. Accordingly, they are categorized into three groups based on their assessment. Thereafter, the curriculum conducts and ensures 2 hours per week of workshops on the groups. Group 'A' is exposed to advanced technical knowledge which is over and above their university curriculum, Group 'B' is made to emphasize on the curriculum and Group 'C' is made to work upon their basic concepts. This ensures that each student fully and wholly realizes his/her potential before they face the recruiters.

Emphasis on Placement

Placements are a key aspect that the NIET curriculum puts great emphasis on. Once the student reaches the 7th semester, well coordinated workshops are organized to prepare them to face placement processes. The college gives a platform for students to hone their communication skills, body language, overall personality, aptitude, work place skills and corporate etiquette. "We regularly conduct mock interviews internally and at times through especially invited industry leaders as per the different formats of the placement drive," adds Mr. Raman Batra, Director - CMC, PFS & NBS.

Many prestigious companies visit the campus yearly to recruit the best of minds. TCS, Accenture, Microsoft, ICICI Bank, HCL, Aditya Birla Group, Headstrong, IBM, Union Bank of India, Blackberry, Indian Army, Tech Mahindra, HDFC Bank are just some of the corporate that rely on recruiting from the Organization. Umang Singhal, a student just placed in Headstrong says, "Starting from my very first experience in finishing school, it provided us a platform to know who we are, how to tackle the conditions at different times in the interviews.We got a lot of encouragement, skills and ability to handle situations from workshops.The support from placement cell was overwhelming throughout the whole placement procedure." The students are trained by an experienced faculty that not only adheres to the UGC norms but also has real time experience in the practical aspects of the subjects.

Incorporating Holistic Development

The institution has realized the need for holistic development of the student in the areas of sports, theater and arts. The management has facilitated students with an in-house gymnasium for strength training and also endorses outdoor sports for recreation such as football, cricket, basketball and badminton. In accordance to GBTU norms NIET leverages Rs. 95000/- per year, as scholarship for meritorious students in motivating them to perform their best consistently. Free education is also given to students who have the potential but cannot afford the expenses due to their financial conditions.

The management constantly strives to bring in new techniques of personality tests and interviews so as to equip the students with the latest methodologies of hiring. Apart from infrastructure and modules, many guest lecturers are constantly invited to throw light on current market scenarios and emerging trends, thus preparing students as entrepreneurs and Professionals for the global market. This is with the vision to elevate the institution to be ranked first in placements which is achieved by intensifying activities to reach every student of the college to securing a bright future and Career pathways. NIET continues to grow as an eminent resource centre for molding industry professionals out of talented students and thus meet the expectations of the Industries at an International Level.

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