A senior delegation from Himachal Pradesh's Department of Technical Education and the Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam (HPKVN) conducted a study visit to the renowned Y B Patil Polytechnic in Akurdi, Pune, on December 15. The primary objective was to examine the institute's successful operational framework and academic practices, seeking models that could be adapted to strengthen technical and skill-based education in Himachal Pradesh.
Delegation Aims to Replicate Successful Models
The visiting team was led by Akshay Sood (HPAS), the Director of Technical Education for Himachal Pradesh, and included Ashok Pathak, Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Technical Board. Their presence highlighted the state government's serious intent to learn from institutions with a national reputation for excellence. The officials were formally received by the Campus Director, Rear Admiral Amit Vikram, and the Principal, Dr. A. S. Kondekar.
Dr. Kondekar welcomed the delegation and provided an initial briefing on the institution's vision, mission, and growth trajectory. This was followed by an extensive, guided tour of the campus facilities. The delegation inspected advanced laboratories, dedicated research centres, and innovation hubs, witnessing firsthand the polytechnic's strong emphasis on practical, hands-on training, applied research, and learning driven by innovation.
Deep Dive into Academic Excellence and Infrastructure
The members of the delegation expressed appreciation for the high-quality infrastructure and the systematic, efficient functioning of the institute. They noted that its standards were consistent with the benchmarks set by national accreditation bodies. Y B Patil Polytechnic is accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) and is widely recognized for effectively integrating rigorous academics with industry-relevant skill training.
Later, Principal Dr. Kondekar delivered a detailed presentation outlining the institute's key achievements, ongoing academic initiatives, successful student outcomes, and future expansion plans. This formal presentation set the stage for a robust interactive session that extended for over an hour. Faculty members and students engaged with the visiting officials, providing them with direct insights into teaching methodologies, curriculum delivery mechanisms, and strategies for active student engagement.
Focus on Future Collaboration and Adaptation
The day-long visit concluded with serious deliberations on potential avenues for collaboration. The discussions focused on how the best practices observed at the Pune-based institute could be adapted and implemented to enhance the technical education and skill development ecosystem in Himachal Pradesh.
Akshay Sood thanked the leadership and staff of Y B Patil Polytechnic for their warm hospitality and the open exchange of ideas. He described the visit as highly productive and insightful. The officials acknowledged that the learnings gathered could meaningfully inform policy decisions and institutional reforms back in Himachal Pradesh.
This visit served to reaffirm Y B Patil Polytechnic's status as a leading light in the field of technical education in India, with its innovative practices now attracting the attention of policymakers and administrators from other states seeking to elevate their own educational frameworks.
