Dr. Mukesh D.Patil is working as a principal at Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology - [RAIT], Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. He has received his B.E degree in Instrumentation Engineering, M. Tech. in Systems and Control Engineering and he has done PhD as well. Presently, he is appointed as Principal from June, 2019. He holds reputed designations in his previous institutions such as vice-chancellor nominee as board member. He has published total of 120 papers in international and national journals and conferences. He has written 2 book through a reputed publisher and published 9 book chapters. He has also filed 7 Indian patents and 4 Australian patents are granted. He is a reviewer of reputed journals like IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, IETE Technical Review, ISA Transactions, Anneals of Nuclear Energy, Computers and Electrical Engineering etc.Under his supervision, seven research scholars are working towards their PhD. He has guided more than 65 PG students.

RAIT Navi Mumbai

Being the principal, what is your philosophy of leadership? 

“I believe in team work and growth of everyone”

Our beloved dada, founder president of D Y Patil University and Padmashri recipient, Dr. D Y Patil Sir has been the man of inspiration for me. As the principal of this institute, I have tried to imbibe dada’s and Dr. Vijay Patil sir’s visionary leadership style. As a leader, I am persistent in building a vision for the institute to nurture collaboration and promote performance through team work. Cultivating inspirational and magnetic teaching-learning experience to ensure innovative and imaginative results is at my top priority.

In your experience, what can an inbound student gain from studying here in your college?

“We do provide best education and opportunities for students to learn and grow”

Our students are of the opinion that RAIT is more than the sum of its many celebrated parts. It is most of all a home and a place where they can belong. When a student is part of RAIT, we set the seal on providing students with an immensely transformative experience that prepares them for a life of advancement, innovation and research in the realm of Science and Technology. With a conducive environment for stimulating research we provide a platform for innovations. 

How does the curriculum of your college ensure the best practice of industry are being followed?

“Our curriculum is supported by variety of co-curricular activities and technical programs”

The curriculum of our college is an amalgamation of higher learning as well as a conglomerate of extracurricular activities, which provides all-round development for students. Students are transformed into dynamic leaders and they contribute immensely to society as a whole. As the principal, I can certify that while designing the curriculum, conscious efforts are put towards holistic and multidisciplinary education. Content creation, digital repository, and dissemination are the backbone of our curriculum.

How your college is more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

“We provide equal opportunities along with a scholarship to every student”

Our president, Dr. Vijay D Patil sir trusts in the equal opportunity of each inspired individual. Financial aids are provided to aspiring students on a large scale. He believes and I quote, “Learning at RAIT is boundless! RAIT is Liberated! It is a blend of intellect, intercultural learning and excellent academic experience. The vibrant life on campus has no boundaries and provides all the colorful threads to stitch unique dreams for students.

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What are your roles and responsibilities for the college and the students?

“To provide best guidance and motivation to our students and staff”

My role and responsibilities as a principal of this premier institute are versatile in nature. I ensure to have enough time to interact with students, teachers, non-teaching staff and the institute at large with a vision of a healthy association and collaboration with industry, innovation and research. Thus, as the principal of an outstanding educational institute, I am responsible for cultivating a culture of purpose, motivation and strength for the future generations to come.

What do you think should be the college’s top priority over the next 10 years?

“Our priority for the upcoming years is to generate entrepreneurs instead of job seekers”

I take pride in stating that we RAIT do not only produce engineering graduates; we produce skilled technocrats who are the leaders. If we contemplate for the next generations, our priority will be on generating a strong entrepreneurial approach towards research and development. We will be prioritizing teaching, research, innovation and creative expression for the next 10 years to come. 

When you first came to this institute, what was your vision for the college? Has it evolved over time?

“To provide first-class education and environment for student’s growth”

I joined this college as a teacher. As a teacher, my vision was to teach and create an environment for my students for their overall growth. Whereas now, over the years, my vision has evolved to a greater extent. Being in the position of authority makes me more flexible and responsible at the same time. The journey from being a teacher to a principal was indeed an evolving experience as an individual as well as a professional. 

What makes your college unique in comparison to others?

“We are being rated by top private and government organizations and it’s enough to explain the quality of education we provide to our students”

We are achieving new heights of success since our inception. We were awarded ‘A’ grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 2016 and the three core engineering courses, computer, electronics and electronics and telecommunication are re-accredited by National Board of Accreditation (NBA) New Delhi for 03 years in 2018. We secured 172nd rank by the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF), an initiative by the Ministry of HRD ranking 2019, and has been consistently maintaining top rank in it. We have been also awarded 11th rank amongst top engineering institutes, 3rd rank amongst top private institutes across the country, 9th in placement and 7th in research by Times Group in the year 2019. 

What do you see as the greatest strengths of your college?

“Our teaching and non-teaching staff, students and every stakeholder are the main pillars of our institute”

We put conscious efforts towards developing a holistic and multidisciplinary education system. Optimal learning environments and support for students are the backbones of the philosophy of the institute. Motivated, energized and capable faculties are the cause for our consistent progress. Each stakeholder of the Institute, directly or indirectly, contributes to the growth of the institute making it strong to sustain in this competitive environment.

What are some of the biggest challenges this pandemic has created for your institute?

“Shifting from classroom to online teaching and developing student’s interest for the same was definitely a challenge for us”

For us, teaching-learning activity during pandemic (2020-21) was the biggest challenge. The COVID 19 pandemic has brought the world to a halt. All the routine activities were abruptly interrupted due to this unforeseen calamity. The academic sector was no exception to it. To sustain the academic interest of students at this abrupt stage, we initiated an online learning method myDY LMS portal, which was a consistent practice at RAIT, was a blessing. Conduction of online internal assessment examination on LMS portal, a virtual panel discussion on engineering education post-COVID 19, Organization of virtual international conference ICACC-2020 and Involvement of students in the generation of intellectual property are some of the highlights of efforts taken to overcome the challenges. 

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

“Be consistent and develop skills to solve some real world issues”

As we all know that academic environment is the chance to engage into forefront of promising research and contribute to solving some of our global problems as a community. One must pursue one’s intellectual curiosity and acquire the habits of mind which will enhance future experience of life, whatever turn it may take. Youth reflects a community full of richness and vitality. We must admire it.

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What are some of the plans that you’re currently designing for students?

“To collaborate with national and international organizations for research and development thing”

We are already in the process to progress with International collaborations both at the academic and research realm. We will accomplish national and international correlations with academic and industrial platforms with the Memorandum of Understanding. Collaboration with Harvard Business School is one of the very first step by us. We aspire to become a role model and motivator in the technical education system at global level. 

How do you establish a healthy relationship and environment in your college?

“I treat everyone equally in my institute and offer them an open platform to communicate”

To establish a healthy relationship and environment in any institute, understanding of the concept of equality and equity is a must. As the principal, my administration style depends on this value. Equality is the foundation but to generate equity by providing equal opportunities to everyone by providing what they need to succeed. My role as a principal is to plant a seed of innovation and research.