The Higher Education Review

The ever-changing technological landscape has provided students with numerous opportunities, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Aerospace Engineering. While the use of AI and ML has grown in popularity in recent years, India is still in its early stages in terms of Aerospace Engineering. The scope of aeronautical engineering is extremely broad in the country due to the rapid growth of the aviation industry. It is the world's third-largest civil aviation market, with the potential to overtake the United States. Aeronautical Engineers are in high demand in India with a plethora of job opportunities available in both the public and private sectors. India needs design, manufacturing, repair, and testing technology. Instead of relying on foreign countries, this requires technological infrastructure and trained manpower.

In this context, KIIT-DU has expressed interest in participating in such growth processes not only by offering degree courses in the aerospace domain as part of the academic curriculum but also by actively engaging in collaborative projects with industries in the aerospace and defence sectors. KIIT has expressed interest in actively participating in the development of potential collaboration among academia, R& D laboratories, and aeronautical industries to meet the above target, contributing to the vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat.

A Pioneer Educational Institute
KIIT was established as a vocational training centre in 1992. It was the year 1997 when it took shape as an institution of higher learning. Due to its academic excellence, it was declared a Deemed to be University by the (erstwhile) Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India in 2014. KIIT Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU) is now one of India's most prestigious universities which serves over 30,000 students through its 23 schools which offer globally recognized bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in more than 200 disciplines such as engineering, medicine, management, law, fashion, film and media sciences, computer applications, health sciences, biotechnology, and more.

KIIT welcomes students from all corners of the world. It provides students friendly campus and exposure throughout the courses. The college takes great pride in its diverse student body, which represents 65 different countries. The university has

international opportunities for both students and Faculty, thanks to its partnerships with other top universities around the world. To add to it, KIIT has partnerships with 350+ leading institutions in 70+ countries, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, Russia, the Czech Republic, Japan, South Korea, and Kenya.

The institution also focuses on the pedagogical framework to support teachers in delivering the the utmost quality of education. The main approaches include Collaborative Learning, Integrative Approach, Inquiry-Based Approach, Reflective Teaching Learning Approach, and Learner-Centered Pedagogy. The eight B.Tech programmes at KIIT have been reaccredited by NAAC with ‘A’ grade and by the NBA as 'Tier-I' (Washington Accord).

The University has rapidly risen to national and inter-national prominence. It is ranked 601-800, globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 It is ranked 8th in SDG 'Reducing Inequalities' and 201-300 overall in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022. KIIT is ranked 20th in the Ministry of Education's NIRF India Rankings 2022. It is also India's top self financing institution for innovation, as per ARIIA Rankings of the Govt. of India.

KIIT showcase a wide range of courses ranging from humanities, sciences, medicine, law and so on. In the aerospace engineering domain, it offers courses on Aerodynamics, Aerospace Structures, Engines, Rocket and Missile Technologies, Spacecraft Technologies, Guidance and Control Systems, Avionics, and basic common courses like Thermal Engineering, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Solid Mechanics, and so on. "Besides the courses, we make sure that the KIIT-DU Aerospace Discipline is operational with faculty members drawn from reputed academic institutions and the business world.

Experts from the aeronautical industry have been roped in to deliver lectures on a few courses, including aero engine & airframe technology and airport & airline management. In addition to the theoretical knowledge, we provide exposure to students in the aerospace discipline to participate in internship programmes, specialized course work, industrial training, or other opportunities to earn credit toward their degree requirements at other reputable Indian or foreign universities or businesses", says Prof.Sasmita Samanta, Vice Chancellor, KIIT Deemed to be University.

The institution is known for its academic ambiance, and ensures seamless access to the latest technology in the entire campus. The department has adequate laboratory (Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Aerostructures, Aircraft Systems, Avionics, and so on) and computational

resources (finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics, simulation software, and many more) resources.

The Central Library is the University's principal learning resource centre. The library offers 24x7 Reading Room Facilities, 24x7 Digital Library Services (Intranet), Online Catalogue Search and E-Mail Alert Service, Library Orientation Program, Book Exhibition at Regular Intervals, and Institutional Repository Services. The library is accessible to everyone, be it students, research scholars or faculty members. The university also has Laboratories, Seminar Rooms, Auditoriums, and Conference Rooms. The Departmental Library is equipped with the latest ICT facilities. The university's E-Learning centre assists instructors in generating e-Content in a variety of disciplines. The e-Learning centre was created to satisfy the educational requirements of engineering students.

KIIT has always ensured that the students complete a rigorous training module and are ready for placement. Students also receive rigorous training for PSU, bank, and government exams. Online and paper-based tests with the individual profile are used for continuous evaluation. KIIT features 28 Student Societies and Outreach Programs to promote, expose, and nurture student talent. Every course has work-shops and seminars. The university offers meritorious students various scholarships. It guarantees students are well-trained and have career-ready skills.

Future Roadmap
KIIT has a large number of full-time faculty and research scholars in a wide variety of fields, all of whom are dedicated to conducting cutting-edge research for the benefit of the institution and the greater scientific community.

"KIIT Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU) is now one of India's most prestigious universities which serves over 30,000 students through its 23 Schools"

In the future, KIIT aspires to be a centre of the Aerospace domain not only in academics and research but also in resolving aeronautical industry's concerns with the creation of a centre of excellence in several aeronautical sub domains.

Prof. Sasmita Samanta, Vice-Chancellor, KIIT
She is an accomplished academician and administrator with more than two and half decades of experience in strategizing excellence in professional and technical education. She is a popular teacher, researcher, author, leader and innovator. She has also delivered numerous talks in universities of India and abroad and has contributed several research articles in national and international journals and periodicals.