Harnessing Innovation and Industry-Driven Excellence: Unveiling the Distinctive Teaching Methodology at NHCE

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Dr. Vandana, Associate Professor, Department of Information Science and Engineering, New Horizon College of Engineering says that the college stands as a beacon of innovative teaching methodologies that set it apart from others in the educational landscape. The college places a premium on fostering holistic development through a dynamic approach to education.

Dr. Vandana C.P graduated in B.E Computer Science Engineering in 2005 from Calicut University. Pursued her MTech in Computer Networks Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU). Awarded with Ph.D from VTU  in the area of Internet of Things. Currently working as Associate Professor in Department of Information Science and Engineering in New Horizon College of Engineering. Her research interest includes Machine Learning, Networking Internet of Things (IoT), AI, Networks and has published numerous papers in international journals

Q1. What are the salient features of the teaching methodology adopted by your college? How does this differ from others?

• Learning by doing through creative academic projects : The use of project-based teaching is the best pedantic assurance for a viable improvement of key abilities such as creativity. At New horizon College of Engineering, student show their capacities while working freely through interdisciplinary projects. It fosters a student's capacity to work with their fellow classmates, building cooperation and teamwork.
• Collaborative learning: NHCE teachers group students and ask them to perform a particular task collectively through cooperation. This teaching methodology enhances the concentration, association, and acquisition of knowledge in students. It makes learning interesting for students and teaches them how to work with others easily.
• Problem-based learning: It is a dominant teaching methodology practiced at our institution, where a student's critical thinking ability is improved. Under this teaching method, students are required to solve their problems themselves. This is how they develop problem-solving abilities and ultimately gain confidence. The main purpose of this type of teaching is to make each individual student strong. Flip classroom is one such technique followed.
• Teaching through Design: It is a solution-based technique where teachers use designs to teach their students various technical concepts. The teacher solves a problem through a design that not only makes a concept easy for the students to understand but at the same time makes it enjoyable.
• Thinking-based learning. Under this method, teachers not only impart critical and innovative skills but also teach them strategically how to use skillful thinking techniques in the context of learning. It is highly recommended that this method should be adopted into the current classroom pedology.

Q2. How are you preparing your students to be Industry-ready?

• New Horizon College of Engineering offers Value added programs on the latest trending technology like DevOps, Ethical Hacking, Full Stack Development, etc.
• All department labs have industry tags and 16 Center of Excellences in collaboration with technology partners from Industry. Students upskill with latest technology domain and become industry ready.
• One of its kind and Unique department, named as Life Skill Life Long Learning Department, to groom the students throughout this course duration.
• Groom and support the students for competitions like hackathons, programming contests, ideathons, and innovation contests.
• Conduct pre-placement training programme which will strengthen their logical and analytical thinking ability, domain specific knowledge making them industry ready
• Have project-based learning throughout the course duration

Q3. What are the qualities you are looking for in student applicants? What qualities do they need to do well in your course?

Following qualities are expected in student applicants:

• Apart from statutory requirements, students have to be enthusiastic learners.
• Adaptability and readiness to self-equip with technology trends
• Consistent Performer: Student must be able to perform consistently throughput the semesters.
• Life Long learner: Should be ready to learn not only from classroom, but also from all the college activities like student club, hackathons, tech fest, Sargam- A Mega Intercollegiate Festival.
• Balance in Extracurricular and Co-curricular activities: Students, not only should be excellent in academics, but also should be proactive participants in all extra-curricular activities.

Q4. How do you ensure that your course curriculum is up to date and meets industry requirements?

• Utilize academic autonomy completely to give unique, industry-required skill enablement courses.
• Continuous academic feedback from various stakeholders like alumni, industry experts through Board of studies to enrich our curriculum to be updated and industry adopted.
• Our institution has 16 Center of Excellences in collaboration with technology partners from Industry giants. These labs deliver the industry cutting edge technology skills through train the trainer model. Students upskill with this latest technology domain and become industry ready.
• More focus on experiential learning through interdisciplinary projects.
• Impactful Study Abroad Student Exchange Program

Q5. Is your college receptive to innovation, technology, science & entrepreneurship? How? Could you cite some examples of these?

• Various incubation centers are hosted in New Horizon College of Engineering Campus. Students take up internships and get real world project experience.
• There is a separate Entrepreneurship Development Cell which motivates the students to convert their ideas to projects to product and patent it. These patent idea generators can then be budding entrepreneurs.