The Higher Education Review

Once dominantly known as a popular hub of art and culture, Kolhapur is a historic land beatified with mesmerizing monuments and covered with lush green nature. Over the years, it has produced numerous artists and great personalities such as King Shahu Maharaj, who was an ardent admirer of art. From priding on having introduced the famous kolhapuri chappals to the world to nurture the best talents in the fields of music, drama, dance and fine art, the city is filled with a population who are gifted with an exclusive artistic mind. At Kolhapur, Ar. Vijay Gajbar, Ar. Jayant Begampure, Ar. Girija Kulkarni, Ar. Narhar Kulkarni and Architect Mahesh Doiphode, all leading professional architects and interior designers with an object to create a platform for continuous development in the fields of arts and applied arts joined in the year 1999 and formed a trust named 'Kalaprabhodhini'. "The inclination towards the art and culture was dying drastically among the young generation of the country. This made us - a group of architects and designers - come up with the Kalaprabodhini Institute of Design in 2002 under the banner of the trust, Kalaprabodhini, and regain the name and fame of the Kolhapur city in the domain of art & film," shares Girija G. Kulkarni, Principal, Kalaprabodhini's Institute of Design.

"Being a pioneering interior design institute from Southern Maharashtra and affiliated Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Kalaprabodhini's Institute of Design promises the students to equip them with substantial employability skills, which will eventually enable them to stay in tune with the dynamic design industry"

Being a pioneering interior design institute from Southern Maharashtra and affiliated Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Kalaprabodhini's Institute of Design promises the students to equip them with substantial employability skills, which will eventually enable them to stay in tune with the dynamic design industry. Determined to dig out the buried talents of the country and enriching their knowledge acumen with

quality education, the institute now offers Bachelor of Design (B. Des) Interior. However, in the coming years, the institute would be expanding its offering. Programmes such as M. Des (Interior Design, Furniture Design, Production Design and Set Design), B. Des (Communication Design, Furniture Design, Production Design and Set Design), Diploma Courses (Green Build Design, Plumbing Design, Exhibition Design, Film/Video Design and Set Design) and Certificate Courses (Animation Design, Footwear Design, Textile Design and Ceramic Design) are in pipeline.

"Our practical-oriented syllabus, allows the students to gain valuable experience throughout their course tenure. They are encouraged to indulge thoroughly in varied workshop, conferences, seminars, and exhibition that are arranged to foster a design culture within the campus including regular site visits and internships," claims Kulkarni. Alongside for cultivating professionalism in the future interior designers, the institute stimulates the students to participate in National level Design Competitions where they are enabled to present their works to a larger audience and get exposure in front of design experts. However, the experienced team of faculty members of the institute pays ample attention to treat each institute in the classroom equally.

For instance, where the advanced learners are guided in the competitive exams in the design field, involved in research activities and incubation center, the slow learners are assigned a personal mentor, provided counseling sessions, remedial classes and communication skill classes. "We make sure to provide a balanced and tailor-made education to both slow and advanced learners. Overall, a comprehensive version of education is what we assure our students at Kalaprabodhini's Institute of Design," explains Kulkarni.

Ushering from Planning to Execution

Situated perfectly in the heart of the city, at the premises of Bhalji Pendharkar Trust behind Mahavir Garden, the campus of the institute has encompassed finest facilitates so that the students can obtain a memorable and meaningful campus experience. Kulkarni claims, "Facilities such as modern classrooms, library, computer hall, seminar hall, playgrounds and so on, including ramp facilities for disabled students, has been installed in the campus for meeting the curricular and co-curricular

needs of our students." The students are further rendered a personalized education at the institute by maintaining an impressive student-teacher ratio of 1:10. Visiting faculties also plays a notable role in enhancing the learning outcome of the students.

"We abide by Outcome-based learning at our institute. We believe at the end of the course, the students should be awarded the desired experiences and skills," opines Kulkarni. The institute also strives to develop the software skills of the students, considering the fact that today's designers should be adequately enlightened with the technology usage. The students are not only regarded as future employees but also are inculcated with prominent entrepreneurial spirit by the institute, given which the students are entitled with plenty of opportunities to work on real projects. "At Kalaprabodhini, special emphasis is given upon monitoring the students' progress thoroughly. Professional qualities, personal integrity, and curriculum enrichment are some of the key elements that we look after closely throughout the year," pinpoints Kulkarni.

The robust placement cell of the institute has demonstrated its adherence in placing students in top-notch companies and grooming them for life. Going beyond the limitation of the curriculum, the cell organizes coaching classes for design aptitude development, design workshop in collaboration with Bhalji Pendharkar Cultural Centre and so on. "Registered in the year 2017, our Alumni Association, named ‘XKPID' also assists us in intensifying the success rate of the ongoing students. We boast of sustaining a cent percent placement rate of our students," proudly says Kulkarni. On 15th August every year, all the passed students come together and decide on the things that they are going to contribute to their alma mater in the form of guest lectures, improving industry connections, to name a few. "With short time goals such as collaborating with renowned design schools & Universities in India & abroad for twinning programmes and many more, we are determined and resolute to emerge as one of the Global centers of learning in Arts & design in next couple of years," concludes Kulkarni.

Girija G. Kulkarni
A Bachelor in Architecture, Girija G. Kulkarni holds the chair of Principal & Managing Trustee at Kalaprabodhini's Institute of Design. She holds an extensive 20 Years' experience of practicing architect & interior design as well as in teaching field.