The NorthCap University: Tying Parallel Tracks of Education and Research

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)has ranked NorthCap University 8th in Research Productivity among private universities in India in 2015 in the ‘Multi-disciplinary Private University AAA category’. Intrigued by the research activities of the university, Team HER explores how The NorthCap University (NCU) functions.

Brigadier (Retd.) S.K Sharma, Pro Vice-Chancellor

As research is the strongest pillar of the university, NorthCap has left no stone unturned to earn laurels in the field of research. The Research, Development and Industrial Liaison (RDIL) Cellof the University takes care of the various industrial consultancy works, sponsored research projects and promote the industry and academia interaction.The university has published 400 research papers in 2015 in reputed national and international journals.

In a country where education holds the key to develop the nation on a global platform, education standards need to be raised and level up globally. The Central Research Facility of NCU provides advanced analytical instruments for research and encourages its faculty and students to pursue research and innovation to produce products of societal importance.The University encourages their faculty and students to pursue research and innovation and supports them by providing the required infrastructure. The centre is facilitated with equipments such as UV-VIS-NIR Spectrophotometer, I-V Picometer, L-C-R meter and Holography equipment, Vacuum Coating Unit, High Temperature Furnace etc.The research activities at the university have further taken a leap with the university’s Vice-Chancellor's Innovation Fund. This scheme constitutes an allocation of Rs. 1.5 million per annum to each department wherein faculty members collaborate to pursue innovative research ideas. Funds are catered for student projects also.

The NorthCap University, was established in 1996 and is considered as one of the top league universities in North India. Started Asan Engineering Institute, NorthCap now offers Technology, Management, Law, Sciences and Commerce inducting over a thousand students each year with a faculty-student ratio of 1:14and a total strength of about 3500 students.

The NorthCap University is considered as a vibrant, dynamic and interactive academic community. “We have a rich intellectual capital in the form of faculty who believes in critical aspects of higher education,” proudly acclaims Brigadier (Retd.) S.K Sharma, Pro Vice-Chancellor, The NorthCap University. He recollects the time when turning the institute into a University was both an opportunity and a challenge to carve a place among leading private universities of the country. 

Other than research activities, a strong emphasis has been seen on academic – industry interface. These collaborations further yield-in internship and placement opportunities of students. Students are taken for regular industry visits.In order to make students more efficient professionals, the university provides training through live projects,apart from structured personality development courses. NCU has MoUs with leading international institutions such as ITB Ireland, University of Warwick, UK, University of Chester, UK, n+i Engineering Institutes Network, France; Chartered Institute of Arbitration India (CIArb), American Society of Quality India and many more for faculty exchange, research collaboration and curriculum design to bring in best international practices and standards.

The university has their separate placement cell known as School of Professional Attachment (SPA) responsible for making students industry ready. SPA conducts regular involvement of alumni with the students for in-depth interaction on industry. A series of preparatory modules, which include online tests, mock interviews, group discussions, debates and many more. The university takes pride in its record of 94 percent placements in 2015 batch. Organizations such as Deloitte, EY, Sapient, TCS, Maruti are recorded to have offered a highest package of Rs. 15 lakh and average of Rs. 4.5 lakh, as yearly emoluments.

NCU considers their faculty members as a greatest resource, keeps in mind their personal and professional growth. The members undergo various FDPs through inter-university workshops and seminars held around the country motivating them to hone their teaching skills. With over 200 members, the NCU prides on its academic leadership and their professional experience which directly focuses on students.The university looks forward to strengthen its roots enhancing the industry-institute interaction and increasing consultancy and industrial projects while working towards a goal of being one of the leading universities in the country. 

As the nation awaits the new education policy and expects a lot of change in the education system, The NorthCap has created their own standards of higher education, proving a benchmark to peer institutes.

Brigadier (Retd.) S.K Sharma, Pro Vice-Chancellor

Brig. Sharma, is a Honours Graduate in Architecture from IIT Kharagpur and a Post Graduate in Urban Planning from the School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi and has over 40 years of experience in architecture, urban planning, engineering in the Indian Army, DRDO, Real estate sector, Project Management and teaching. He retired as Chief Engineer Designs at the apex level of the Corps of Engineers at the Army HQ, Delhi. His technical publications have focused on Environment, Shelters and Networks, National Housing Policy, Thermal Comfort Designs, Performance of Engineered Construction during earthquakes and many more. He is a veteran of 1971 operations in Bangladesh.

Article Originally Published at Below Link: 
 http://www.thehighereducationreview.com/magazine/the-northcap-university-tying-parallel-tracks-of-education-and-research-BHSA433950269.html