Studying engineering is passé at HITAM; it’s all about ‘Doing Engineering’!
High-quality learning at HITAM is exemplified by its ‘Doing Engineering’ approach, which is aimed at churning out globally-competent, industry-ready engineers with problem-solving capabilities. The pedagogical approach adopted towards this end revolves around a student-centric, project-based, industry-interactive teaching and learning methodology that hinges on hands-on engineering.As an autonomous college, HITAM has evolved its pedagogical approach to revolve around the ‘Doing Engineering’ methodology. The CAP (Curriculum, Assessment and Pedagogy) is at the base of it and it designs the curriculum, assessment strategies, and pedagogical approaches provides an enhanced learning experience, improves academic performance, and enables students to become globally competent engineers.
Hands-on learning for higher-order outcomes
Hands-on learning is crucial for developing practical skills, creativity, and deeper understanding among engineering students. Such activities in instructional laboratories and project-based learning help students apply theoretical concepts to real-world problems. Project-based learning (PBL) makes students work on real-world projects that integrate multiple disciplines with guidance from industry experts and mentors. PBL fosters transferable cognitive skills, such as conceiving, designing, developing, and managing engineering products, systems, and processes.It improves their critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, creativity, and teamwork, which are critical for continuous life-long learning and professional growth. HITAM has partnered with Aalborg University, Denmark, to strengthen its pedagogical framework through PBL.
Instilling academic rigor for deeper learning
Academic rigor is the level of intellectual challenge, difficulty, and depth of learning in a course or program. It involves the application of higher-order thinking skills, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of meaningful content.The academic rigor at HITAM enables students to successfully graduate with their preferred career options through industry aligned curriculum, regular assessments, course level projects, student progression monitoring, and personalized attention. The institute has a strong team of faculty, comprising 40% with a Ph.D. and 50% of the remaining pursuing their Ph.D. In addition, it also engages adjunct faculty from the industry (professors of practice) and other premier institutes to enhance the learning experience. The HITAM XPLORE platform offers substantial preparation to enter the realms of the scientific and engineering professions and helps students explore future career options. Google Developer Student Club (GDSC) is a non-profit developer group powered by Google Developers to enable students to learn, share, connect, and develop skills.
Course-level Level Projects by each student as a part of their curriculum ensure their hands-on learning experience and better understanding of the subjects.
Engineers are meant to be problem-solvers!
HITAM provides students with field experience in the form of internships, projects, or volunteer work to develop problem-solving skills through hands-on application. There are several initiatives and programs, viz., SSDC (Student Skill Development Centre), Engineers Without Borders (EWB) , Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP), Engineering Projects in Community Services (EPICS), Multi-disciplinary Emerging Technologies Application Centre (META), etc., to make problem-solving second nature to the students.HITAM, through its Hackathon Club, IIIC, and HIIC, encourages and provides students a very conducive ecosystem to host and participate in various hackathons and competitions at the state and national level.
Innovation is integral part of engineering education
Inquisitiveness is at the heart of innovation. The campus environment and culture at HITAM inspire students to ask questions, explore ideas, and venture into uncharted territory. There is a definitive framework at HITAM that channels the innovative streak among students to find resonance in institutional support.The Centers of Excellence (COE) provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources to explore their passion and push the boundaries of innovation. The HITAM Innovation and Incubation Center aims to nurture entrepreneurial spirit and foster innovative solutions by providing resources, mentorship, and support to budding entrepreneurs. The Entrepreneurial Development Centre (EDC) at HITAM fosters entrepreneurial skills and innovation among students, providing resources and mentorship to transform ideas into viable business ventures.
Holistic learning for grooming well-rounded engineers
The conventional approach of focusing on analytical abilities and cognitive domains development is insufficient for the rapidly changing engineering landscape. There is a need for a more holistic approach that includes creativity, entrepreneurship, and life skills. The cognitive domain includes knowledge and problem-solving skills. The affective domain involves emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication. The psychomotor domain includes practical skills and hands-on experience, and all of these abilities combine to produce outstanding engineers who would make a mark in their respective domains. HITAM has various initiatives, like TEDx, where ideas are not only heard but embraced sparking a ripple effect of change and growth and Toastmasters club that helps students develop their public speaking and leadership skills.The Student Self Governance (SSG) group at HITAM helps students map the leadership and management roles for smooth functioning of the institution while grooming them to be future leaders. Various Affinity Clubs, HR Conclave, Youth Parliament, NCC, NSS, Wellness Center, etc at HITAM promote professional and personal growth, preparing students for glorious careers and a well-rounded life.
Placing professional journey at the heart of learning
The Career Design Center at HITAM offers structured training programs, periodic assessments, industry-relevant technical training, tutoring on IELTS for higher education, sessions on confidence building, resume review, mock group discussions and mock interviews to help students with their internships, placements and aspirations for higher education.Professional chapters at HITAM, such as IEEE, IETE, ISNT, ISTE, FMAE, and SAE, provide students with opportunities to engage in industry-relevant activities, networking, and professional development.
HITAM has collaborated with a number of industries and national and international universities for providing internship opportunities to students while pursuing their undergraduate courses.