Humanities Placements Need Urgent Attention, Says MGM University VC

In an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com, Dr. Vilas Sapkal, Vice Chancellor of MGM University, shared insights about the university's vision to comply with the NEP 2020 and the need for an Academic Bank of Credits under the programme curriculum. Read the article below to know about MGM University, its placement record and programmes that need urgent attention for placement purposes here.

1.What makes MGM University different in terms of academics and overall development of the students?

Dr. Sapkal: MGM University distinguishes itself through a dynamic and future-ready academic framework that emphasises holistic student development. At the core of its pedagogy is experiential learning, where students engage in project-based assignments, live case studies, and design thinking exercises. Capstone projects and community engagement activities further deepen practical understanding and social responsibility.

Co-designed certification modules and guest lectures from professionals bring real-world insights into the classroom. MGM University also promotes academic flexibility through a wide range of over 250 open electives across various disciplines, allowing students to tailor their learning experience. Integration of MOOCs from platforms like SWAYAM and NPTEL, along with credit transfer options, further enhances learning opportunities.

2.How is the university aligning its curriculum and teaching pedagogy with NEP 2020?

Dr. Sapkal: MGM University has strategically aligned its curriculum and teaching methodologies with the vision and principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, fostering a learner-centric, flexible, and future-ready academic environment. Embracing a multidisciplinary curriculum, the university offers students the freedom to explore open electives and minors across various domains, encouraging holistic development and cross-disciplinary learning. This flexibility supports student choice and promotes broader intellectual engagement.

The university has fully implemented the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), enabling seamless credit transfers and academic mobility across institutions. This system empowers students with lifelong learning opportunities and facilitates re-entry into education at different stages of their personal and professional journeys. 

Rooted in Outcome-Based Education (OBE), the academic design clearly maps program and course outcomes, ensuring that each learning module contributes meaningfully to the overall skill and knowledge development of students. Continuous internal assessments and competency-based evaluations help track progress and ensure the achievement of defined learning goals.

3.How is the university fostering a research-driven environment among students and faculty? 

Dr. Sapkal: Students are actively encouraged to participate in prestigious national-level competitions such as Anveshan and the Smart India Hackathon, as well as university-hosted innovation challenges. 

Research is seamlessly integrated into the curriculum at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels through mini-projects, capstone assignments, and problem-solving tasks. The inclusion of credit-based research work allows students to explore scientific thinking early in their academic journey, laying a strong foundation for future scholarly pursuits.

A strong culture of innovation is cultivated through student-led initiatives like Google Developer Clubs and a thriving hackathon ecosystem. 

The Research & Development Cell plays a key role in guiding students and faculty, offering assistance with proposal writing, review processes, and connecting students with mentors. 

4. Kindly specify the university's placement records and statistics. Does the university support for off campus placements?

Dr. Sapkal: In recent years, more than 80% of students from different schools have secured placements, reflecting the university’s growing industry interface and effective career support systems. The average salary package typically ranges between INR 4 to INR 7 LPA, while top offers have reached as high as INR 16 LPA in select high-demand domains.

A wide array of reputable companies regularly participate in the university’s placement drives. Some of the prominent recruiters include Atlas Copco, Skoda, IBM, TCS, Infosys, Mahindra, Hikal, Endress+Hauser, Cognizant, and Capgemini. These recruiters span various sectors such as IT, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and consulting, indicating the university’s broad industry reach.

To ensure students are well-prepared for placement opportunities, the Central Training and Placement Cell conducts regular aptitude training, soft skills workshops in collaboration with industry partners like Infosys and TCS, mock interview sessions, and resume-building activities. Each academic school also maintains a dedicated domain-specific placement cell to offer more focused support.

Internships form a key component of the university’s placement strategy, with many students securing pre-placement offers (PPOs) from their internship experiences. The conversion rate from internships to full-time roles has been steadily increasing, particularly in core and emerging sectors.

5.Which is the programme with highest number of placements and which programme requires urgent attention concerning placements?

Dr. Sapkal: At MGM University, the programs that consistently achieve the highest number of placements include B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Data Science, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, and Journalism. These fields benefit from strong industry demand and align closely with the evolving needs of the job market. Additionally, MBA programs in Management also show robust placement performance, supported by a wide range of recruiter profiles and diversified career opportunities.

On the other hand, programs in Pure Sciences, such as B.Sc. in Physics and Chemistry, as well as those in the Humanities, require more focused attention regarding placements. These domains typically witness limited campus hiring and lower recruiter awareness, making it essential to implement targeted strategies to enhance employability. 

6. Are there any upcoming collaborations with national or international research institutions?

Dr. Sapkal: Yes, MGM University is actively pursuing strategic collaborations, both nationally and internationally, to enhance its research ecosystem.

1. CDAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) – For joint research in cybersecurity and high-performance computing.
2. AICTE MODROB & RPS Projects – Faculty are submitting proposals in cutting-edge domains like EV, AI, and sustainable tech.
3. International Collaborations: Partnering with American, European and East Asian universities for research exchange in Media Communication, Engineering, materials science, AI, and green technology.
4. Proposed Joint-degree tracks and faculty co-publication models with select US and UK institutions.

Read more:

• GD Goenka University Launches BSc Nursing Programme in Collaboration with Paras Health
• NEET UG 2025 Answer Key Released; How to Challenge Answer Key and OMR Sheet Recorded Response?