Shrutika Keluskar has been working as an Assistant Professor at Vivekanand Education Society’s College of Architecture, Mumbai, Maharashtra. She graduated from MES PICA,Navi Mumbai in the year 2009 and attained Masters in Project Management from CTES College of Architecture in 2021. She pursued her specialization in Bamboo Architecture and has been practicing Bamboo Architecture for more than 10 years. She has been a pioneer of Bamboo in design education across the design Colleges. She has conducted more than 25 workshops in several colleges in the name ECOLUX. She also heads the Construction company in the name of SK Construction Services and has carried out several projects in Residential and Hospitality in Sindhudurg.

VES College of Architecture

What keeps you connected with the education sector and how has your experience been so far with the institute?

"My curious attitude of exploring things and urge to spread my knowledge with others"

Teaching students and young minds, opportunities of constant learning while I interact with them and my curious attitude to know things and update myself with the latest trends has always been my passion. And by being associated with the educational institution, I can easily fulfill my these goals. And this is what keeps me connected with the education sector. Lastly, if I talk about my experience with the institute, it has been an amazing journey so far with the VESCOA. 

Being the Professor of VESCOA, what are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

"To impart best artistic and drawing skills in students"

I truly believe that Architecture is one of the most responsible professions. As a Professor of VESCOA, I need to communicate complex architectural concepts to students along with imparting skills like artistic skills and drawing abilities, organization skills, computer knowledge together with reading, writing and speaking skills. In addition to teaching Architecture, experience as an architect in the commercial world is highly valued hence one should always remain in practice so that you can deliver and share experiences with the students.

Which extracurricular activities are organized by your college to enhance the skills of students?

"We provide latest tools and software to students so that they can explore things independently"

As far as co-curricular activities are concerned, then working with Bamboo material and conducting workshops to promote its use is what I have been actively involved in. Apart from this, I encourage my students to learn new tools and software for its application in Architectural Practice, Teaching Creative Arts and Landscaping.

How does the curriculum of VESCOA ensure the future preparedness of students?

"It is backed by different learning events and activities"

Our college has introduced an integrated design approach. It is the system that connects different areas of study by cutting across subject-matter lines and emphasizing unifying concepts. And integration focuses on making connections for students by allowing them to engage in relevant subjects through different kinds of activities and events to help them in the overall personality building and knowledge enhancement.

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How do you bring in a practical and industry oriented approach towards subjects?

"Through our well resourced labs, expert sessions and training programs"

Our college has set up building material laboratories and workshops like plumbing, carpentry, photography, model making that contains the latest tools and technologies along with the industry experts for the students to carry out experiments, projects and research work. Students are also encouraged to visit sites along with the faculties to conduct market surveys so that they can understand the market cost. Our institute has collaborated with several Industries like IGBC, Hafele, IFC, CAD center, EDS etc. to bring the best internships for students. Also the electives that the college offers are based on a plethora of various subject exposure which are then taken up and proposed to the Government. We also have a Research and Design Consultancy Cell RDCC that brings in the live projects on board which the students and faculty work on together.

What are the approaches you bring in apart from curriculum to teach the students?

"Through interactive sessions and resolving students queries on individual basis"

I use different kinds of approaches such as focused teaching sessions, addressing students queries on an individual basis. Lecture deliverables are prepared based on the key area of need in alignment to what is practiced. Apart from this, taking students to the library for lectures, setting inferences in reading from Journals, Magazines are some of the other techniques I use to teach my students. 

What would you like people to know about your institute?

"We have all kinds of events, training programs, best infrastructure and faculties to give a better future to students"

Our institute has international collaborations and student exchange programs for the betterment of students. In addition to this, we have the best infrastructure facilities in the form of digital classrooms, technical events, workshops and latest state of art equipment labs. All the students, faculties and administrative staff work together as allies. College keeps a very transparent relation between the parent, student and teacher by giving timely progress about the child’s performance in college both in Academic and extracurricular college activities. We have full-fledged computer labs with all licensed software. We also offer module based courses with specialization MID, Diploma in Interior and Decoration (PID) and Project Management Building Construction (PMC) along with Bachelor in Architecture (B. Arch).

What do you see as the greatest strengths of VESCOA?

"Our collaboration with reputed organizations and our infrastructure makes us strong"

We have collaborations with various national and international institutions to facilitate both international and domestic study tours. Along with this, we have PRME signatory and E- Library resource subscription for students and staff to access national and international journals and other academic stuff. Lastly, we have scholarships and financial assistance programs for students along with best infrastructure facilities, digital classrooms supplemented with events like seminars and workshops. All these things are major pillars of our strength.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see for higher education in general?

"Establishing a sync between students expectations and academic programs is a challenge"

In my opinion, in this advanced society, our students are leaving behind their core traditions and restraining new culture and new thinking. But ideally they should involve themselves in social activities to get the clear picture of ground and how different things are at ground level. The techno – savvy generation of the students has arrived, their increased potentials and aspirations for techno based learning cannot be overlooked and therefore keeping in pace with them is the biggest challenge for us today.

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Any suggestions which you would like to give to the current youth and aspiring students?

"Keep upgrading yourself in terms of skills and networking with best minds"

I would like to advise my students that you should learn how to quickly adapt things in a new environment because it will teach you how to quickly upskill yourself when you meet with different types of challenges in your daily life. Along with this, making strong connections with the best minds around you is also crucial for your learning and growth. Lastly, don't forget to enjoy your college life, make friends by helping each other. Be sensitive to nature and make yourself a well-rounded person.