We look for students who are intelligent, hardworking, determined, and willing to make a difference, says Pro-chancellor

Dr. Bhagyashree Patil, Prochancellor of the Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune speaks in-depth with Shiksha.com about the history of the institute, the inspiration behind its founding, its vision, goal, and its USPs. She elaborates in great detail on the application procedure and requirements for students to be successful at the institute.

Dr. Bhagyashree Patil, is the vice-chairperson of Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Society, Pune and Dr. D. Y. Patil Unitech Society, Pune who is a strong believer in Empowerment through knowledge.

Under her guidance in Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Departments of Cardiology, Cardio Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Neurology, Emergency Medicine, Plastic Surgery and Paediatric Surgery, Neuro surgery, Urology Nephrology dept. & interventional Radiology were established. Courses like Ph.D., Fellowship and Certificate Courses in clinical specialties were also commenced.

Read the complete interview below

Q: Please tell us about the institute and the genesis behind establishing the same.

A: Padamshree Dr D. Y. Patil established the Dr D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (DPU) in Pimpri, Pune, with the main objective of making education and healthcare easily accessible to the public. The Vidyapeeth began with a single institution, the Dr D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital, and Research Centre, and flourished under the capable leadership of Dr P D Patil, Chancellor of Dr D Y Patil Vidyapeeth and Chairman of Dr D Y Patil Vidya Pratishtan Society. Within a few years of its inception, DPU established nine additional institutes devoted to Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Optometry, Biotechnology, Management, Ayurved, Homeopathy, and Distance-Learning, each of which is now recognised as a separate brand. The Vidyapeeth now serves as a role model for academic excellence and well-rounded education throughout Maharashtra and the country. 

The Vidyapeeth also stands out from other institutions thanks to its cutting-edge facilities and dedicated faculty, which allow more than 4,500 students to receive a quality education at one of these DPU institutions. All of the programmes provided by these institutes have received recognition from the corresponding MCI, DCI, INC, CCIM, CCH, AICTE, etc.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has designated Dr D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, as a "Category-I Deemed to be University" in accordance with the UGC [Categorization of Universities (only) for Grant of Graded Autonomy] Regulations, 2018 and its letter dated April 20, 2018. The Vidyapeeth achieved the 76th position in the overall category of the 2022 NIRF Ranking, the 41st position in the University category, the 17th position in the Medical Category, and the third position in the Dental Category. It was accredited by NAAC (3rd cycle) with a CGPA of 3.64 on a four-point scale and an A++ Grade. The Vidyapeeth is also an ISO 9001: 2015 Certified University.

Q: What are your highlights and USPs that help you to differentiate from other institutes in India?

A: We live in a globally interconnected and rapidly transforming world. According to research, modern students learn differently, and they expect to be actively engaged in learning both in the classroom and across campus. To best prepare and educate our diverse student body, DPU is committed to adapting our teaching and learning environment, adopting research-based teaching pedagogies, and creating flexible and dynamic learning spaces. What sets Vidyapeeth apart is its state-of-the-art infrastructure, well-equipped laboratories, and experienced teaching faculty. For instance, the Regenerative Medicine Lab was established to serve as a hub for dental research throughout India. It offers a platform for in vitro screening of pharmaceuticals, dental materials, and other substances. It has also provided a venue for medical and dental surgeons to hone their abilities and consider novel stem cell therapeutic applications for unmet medical needs. Biobanking, too, has been made possible by the storage of oral epithelial cells from oral cancer patients.

On the other hand, the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory serves as a platform for ongoing and prospective research themes. It also aids in raising public awareness and sensitizing the populace to the significance of rare genetic disease detection and diagnosis. In addition, the laboratory contributes to the expansion and support of teaching-learning activities in UG/ PG/ MD/ MS programs and the launch of certificate/diploma programs in molecular diagnostics.

Every institute has its own library, and these libraries contain approximately 62,000 books in addition to journals, e-books, and e-journals. On campus, DPU provides high-quality Wi-Fi connectivity around-the-clock. The food served in the hostel is of high quality, and the rooms are very nice and spacious. The classrooms are also fully equipped to meet the presentation needs of the faculty, including audio and video projection and audio and video capture. The multimedia development lab provides students and faculty with computers configured for a variety of media productions such as audio and video editing, DVD production, web development, and other applications that may be required for media-enhanced projects.

DPU features several spaces to conduct high-end video conferences. Faculty members can also host "virtual guest speakers," in which professionals from a variety of fields attend a class session remotely via video conferencing.

From solar panels on the roof to filtered water stations across campus, the DPU Operations team and Green Team are committed to building and operating a sustainable, energy-efficient campus.

Q: How has COVID 19 impacted the admission and placement process for the year? How has it changed the learning process?

A: The COVID 19 pandemic affected not only us but also the entire education system in our country. However, I believe that every obstacle in life teaches us something and that each coin has two sides. The pandemic made us more resilient. The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Dr D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (DPU) continued to work tirelessly during the height of the COVID 19 pandemic to ensure that our students and staff had access to vital resources and were informed of the latest developments. We adapted ourselves to the new normal and kept ourselves abreast with the rest of the world. We became more self-reliant and discovered new ways to keep ourselves motivated and maintain uninterrupted productivity. Our students quickly adjusted to the new environment and became accustomed to online instruction. In short, we took advantage of every opportunity to motivate and improve ourselves.

Q: What do you look for in students when selecting them for admission? What does it take to be the right fit for your Institutes?

A: We look for students who are intelligent, hardworking, determined, and willing to make a difference in the lives of others. Each applicant receives careful, individualized consideration during our admissions process. We seek to identify those students who will be the most effective instructors of their peers and professors, as well as those who will inspire those around them throughout their college years and beyond.

Q: What is your opinion on the New Education policy? What is likely to be its impact on teaching and learning? 

A: The New Education Policy has sown the seed of a new India. It will propagate vital changes in the current education landscape and prepare our youth to be "future-ready." NEP is intended to streamline the curriculum and emphasize fundamental learning. It will emphasize students' practical knowledge rather than requiring them to memorize information. Students will develop a scientific disposition at an early age. It will also be easier for international universities to establish campuses in this country. Many students who are unable to seek admission to foreign universities for various reasons will be able to gain global exposure and experience studying abroad. Additionally, NEP will promote value-based education