Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University is one and only one of its kinds in the State. The University is located at Lonere, the place in the ranges of Western Ghat, at the foot of Raigad fort, the place from where Chhatrapati Shivaji administered his major activities. It is autonomous in nature and Unitary in its character. It is established in the year 1989 by the Government of Maharashtra. Although relatively young, the University is making its mark in the field of research and technological services through its dedicated faculty and disciplined students.

The University has a conducted Institute of its own, "Institute of Petrochemical Engineering", running Diploma Courses in eight streams of engineering and technology. The University extends its services to the society through a governmental scheme of "Community Polytechnic" by educating the dropouts and empowering them with technical skills. The University offers education especially to rural women through a Certificate Course in Nursing Technology.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, with its headquarters situated at Lonere, is now a statutory State Technical University established by Government of Maharashtra through special Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University Act. The university has been accorded the status of an ‘affiliating’ university of the entire State of Maharashtra from March 2, 2016, by the Maharashtra Act No. XXIX of 2014.

As envisaged in IDP, following activities have been carried out till date:

• The University introduced choice-based credit system from the academic year 2010-11.
• Academic systems such as credit-based continuous assessment system, non-negotiable academic calendar, transparency in the evaluation, etc. have been put in place.
• A two-fold increase in enrolment of M.Tech. programmes have been achieved due to the grant of assistantship to non-GATE M.Tech. students and 29 PhDs were given research assistantship in TEQIP-II which concluded in March 2017
• A large number of need-based training and continuing education programmes in subject domains and in pedagogy (basic module and advanced module) have been conducted for the benefit of internal as well as engineering teachers from other Institutes.
• Workshops on outcome-based education have been conducted for faculty.
• Need-based training programmes and workshops have been conducted for technical and supporting staff of the University so as to boost their morale and enhance the level of their motivation.
• Finishing school activity for SC/ST/OBC and academically weak students were conducted so as to improve their transition rate, pass rate, skills and employability.
• Several research labs, library and learning resources have been augmented and strengthened with TEQIP-II support.
• The industry-institute meet has been organised for collaborative activities.

The university has prepared an elaborate ‘Strategic Plan’ which gives a detailed roadmap for the long-term development and growth of the university as envisaged in the University Act. The implementation of this strategic plan in letter and spirit will enable this university to achieve its goals.

The curricula have been completely revamped in the year 2016-17. The same will be applicable to all affiliated colleges. Academic systems such as credit-based continuous assessment system, non-negotiable academic calendar, transparency in the evaluation, digital evaluation, etc. have been put in place. Quality Assurance: An “Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC)” has been put in place. This cell monitors the quality of all academic and administrative activities on a regular basis so as to achieve continuous quality improvement. This cell also ensures that each department conducts the periodical academic audit as per UGC guidelines. In addition, the university has designed formats and processes for carrying out a rigorous academic audit of its affiliated colleges.

In addition, each academic department has ‘Departmental Committee’ comprising of HoD, all faculty members, representatives of non-teaching staff and students’ representatives (UG/PG/PhD). The department functions through this committee and through its 12 different sub-committees responsible for effective administration. Further, as a new initiative, each academic department has an ‘Advisory Committee’ of HoD, one senior professor, three senior professors from other reputed institutes and three experts from industry. Thus, the department follows the participative and objective approach in taking decisions useful for the department. It is expected that each affiliated college will follow good practices started by the University