In a pioneering move aimed at fostering a holistic educational approach and preparing students for the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship, COEP Tech University has entered into a strategic alliance with the esteemed Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between these two nationally renowned educational institutions was officially signed, marking a significant milestone in the realm of multidisciplinary education.
Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Chairman of the Board of Governance, COEP Tech University, announced this groundbreaking collaboration during a press conference held at COEP. The event was attended by dignitaries including Dr. Ajit Ranade, Vice-Chancellor, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Prof. Sudhir Agashe, Vice-Chancellor, Dr. D. N. Sonawane, Registrar, COEP Tech University, Dr. Ravindra Utgikar, R P Gupta, Mohit Kumar Shrivastava, Prof. M R Nandgoankar, and Prof. M J Rathod.
A Holistic Development Approach
Dr. Pramod Chaudhari expressed the significance of this move, stating, “We are taking this step forward with a vision of holistic development, shaping students not only as proficient professionals but also as responsible citizens. This unprecedented collaboration will provide students with the opportunity to learn economics from one of the nation’s premier institutes.”
The Vision Behind the Partnership
Professor Sudhir Agashe shed light on the details of the collaboration, emphasizing the changing landscape of education in light of the new National Education Policy. With an emphasis on multidisciplinarity, the collaboration aims to offer students a more comprehensive educational experience. He explained, “Joining hands with like-minded top educational institutions can pave the way for the promising future of students.”
Integrating Economics into Engineering
As a concrete step toward nurturing engineering students for entrepreneurship, the collaboration will introduce a 3-credit course in economics for six semesters, starting from the second year of engineering. The course, taught by expert faculty from Gokhale Institute, will provide insights into the economic foundations that underpin various aspects of life and business. The pilot project is set to commence in January 2024, formally introduced as an option in the academic year 2024-25. Importantly, there will be no additional fee for this economics course for COEP engineering students.
Mutual Exchange of Expertise
Under this collaboration, Gokhale Institute will contribute its expertise and resources to COEP students, while COEP Tech University will reciprocate by offering knowledge and skilled faculty for short courses in fields like data sciences, artificial intelligence, and machine learning for Gokhale Institute students.
A Catalyst for a Transformative Ecosystem
Dr. Ajit Ranade emphasized the importance of imparting economic education to engineers, recognizing its essential role in the burgeoning startup and entrepreneurial landscape. He stated, “Such an approach will play the catalyst in creating the required ecosystem. Today, the oldest engineering and economics institutes are coming together for this pathbreaking initiative.”
