Prof. K.R. Gadekar is working as an Assistant Professor in Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering at KK Wagh College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology. She has done M. Tech. in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering from Maharashtra in 2020. She has published one research paper in ecology, geology and landscape journal and has also delivered one radio talk on the Internet of Things in agriculture. She has decent experience in areas like applications of geospatial techniques, watershed development and management, IoT and sensor in agriculture, computer programming, etc. Her areas of interest include pressurized irrigation methods, agricultural drainage systems, deficit irrigation and some new and advanced technologies like remote sensing, GIS and google earth engine in agriculture and water management and drone technologies for agriculture.

KK Wagh College Of Agricultural Engineering And Technology

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

“Continuous thrust for learning and passion to educate youths of our society”

Teaching and research are my passions. As we all know that education along with health is the key factor to determine the quality of human capital that rests with any nation including India. In my point of view, as a teacher, I don’t just have to teach my students but I also have to keep upskilling myself and learn the current trends. I endeavor to contribute to the creation of capable human capital who can solve problems and create value in our socio-economic and cultural environment.

What are your roles and responsibilities? 

“Provide them best education, guidance and support to learn and grow”

As a professor of the Irrigation and Drainage Engineering department, I hold different accountabilities towards my students and providing them best education is my first priority which includes providing knowledge to them about different irrigation industries, internships, conferences and workshops related to natural resource management. Along with all this, shaping a student’s future by motivating them and creating equal opportunities at every level is equally important. 

What extracurricular activities are organized in college to enhance the skills of the students?

“Various training programs and guest sessions are provided to them”

Our college does organize a wide variety of activities such as summer training where students can acquire practical knowledge through hands-on projects and assignments. Apart from this, activities like Student Chapter for professional development are also arranged for them. We also provide guidance sessions to them where Alumni give insights and suggestions on industry demands and requirements and it helps us to plan our curriculum accordingly to create better growth opportunities for our students. 

How does the curriculum of your college ensure the future preparedness of students?

“It is a fusion of multiple pieces of training, workshops and hands-on projects”

Our curriculum includes both academic theory and industry practices. The course delivery methods are an amalgamation of on-field training and workshops according to the current trends in agricultural engineering jobs and the requirements posed by the recruiters. Students have full freedom to choose agricultural engineering projects on different topics. Team projects not only train them to work with team coordination and research paper surveys but also encourage them to learn something new that will enhance their creative ideas and innovations.

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How do you bring in a practical and industry-oriented approach towards subjects?

“Through joint efforts of ours and our industry partners”

To introduce a practical and industry-oriented approach towards subjects, we have done a collaboration with Industries to get in-depth knowledge about the market requirement and it helps to assign better projects to our students to solve some real issues related to society. And our industry partners also provide training to our students on emerging technologies every semester.

What are the approaches you bring in apart from curriculum to teach students? 

“We do offer special programs to them apart from the curriculum”

Nowadays, we all can see that drones, robotics, IoT and sensing technologies are widely used in agriculture. Hence we have identified students who have a niche to make a career in some special fields right from the first year and thus this gives us a head start to mold them as required for the profession. Apart from Curriculum, I have kept special training sessions to enhance students’ basic skills and knowledge required for making a strong career.

What makes your college unique that people should explore about it? 

“Our educative environment and infrastructure makes us different”

We are one of the practically oriented institutes in our area and our roots are deeply connected with farmers. It is a great place to work and has the best environment to be associated with. For students, we do have the best library facilities where they can experience the blend of best books, international and national level journals. We have well-equipped laboratories and field labs and visiting faculty.

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

“Every individual contribute equally in making us strong”

We put conscious efforts towards developing a holistic and multidisciplinary education system. 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 Covid pandemic has created for your institute?

“To provide practical knowledge along with field experience is the toughest thing”

At the moment, fighting with the coronavirus pandemic itself is our biggest challenge. To run things smoothly and offer education to our students, we are conducting our classes digitally like many other institutions. But as compared to other institutes it is very difficult for us to teach practical concepts on-farm conditions in agriculture. It is not that possible to enhance the knowledge of students related to agriculture concepts.

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

“Stay connected with the motherland and keep learning”

I will suggest to youth and aspiring students that, don’t ignore the agriculture sector. Nowadays, farm mechanization, soil and water conservation, irrigation management and value addition in agriculture are very important and without the progress of farmers, we can’t see the dream of our country. It is important to focus on the kind of attitude that you choose to display when you are at work turning your dreams into reality, rather than what you already know.