FOREWORD 
 

‘All things are difficult before they are made easy.’ 
 

This is an old saying.

But not for the old banyan tree, Somaiya Group of Institutions which has spread its roots far and wide in various fields. 

Today, Somaiya is synonym of ‘quality.’   

In recognition of consistent high degree academic achievement standards and consistent in maintaining discipline, the Government of Maharashtra in 1994 awarded Academic Autonomy for the K. J. Somaiya Polytechnic Institute.

Today, it is a leading autonomous Grant-in-Aid Institute in the State of Maharashtra. Since then, several revisions in curriculum have been made based on demands and requirements of all the stake holders.   

As per Sanskrit verse which is our motto: 

llAismana\ tn~inakotnao sauinayaain~ta :

sauSaIlaa : Aa%mainaYza : tn~ivaSaarda : jaayantama\ ll 

      May students of our Polytechnic be self-controlled, well behaved, confident and proficient in execution. 
 
 

We always strive to work for the betterment of our students. The students are our focal point and all the resources of our institute are focused in shaping the bright future of every student.   

The various components of autonomy like Programme flexibility,          Multi-Point Entry and Credit Systems (MPECS) have been incorporated in the new curriculum.  This system permits the students to register in higher semesters depending on his / her eligibility and pre-requisite criteria.   
 

Curriculum Philosophy 

Philosophy of education has much to say in terms of implementing objectives, learning activities and evaluation and procedures in the curriculum. 

Having fully understood the various features of autonomy, the curriculum philosophy is centered on the overall growth and development of the students.  Our curriculum has a scientific approach and is dynamic to incorporate advances in technology.  It will inspire the students and enrich him in all technical aspects of the programme of his choice.  It will also help him to imbibe the spirit of life-long-learning and self-learning skills.  The curriculum develops the overall personality of the students and empowers him with sufficient presentation skills, communication and other soft skills which are useful for him throughout his life in any field in which he may excel. To mention it very briefly, the philosophy of the curriculum is to enrich and empower the students so that he has sufficient technical skills and knowledge for performing supervisory roles in the fields of maintenance, repair, servicing and at the same time develop his personality so that he will be an asset to the industry and to the society at large. 

Curriculum Design  

Numerous designs of any curriculum includes : 

1. Separate subjects versus an integrated curriculum.
2. Scope in the curriculum.
3. Sequence in the curriculum.
4. Measurably stated versus general objectives.
5. Balance among knowledge, skills and attitudinal objectives.
6. Provision for individual abilities among students.
7. Unit teaching procedures.
8. Diverse means of grouping students for instruction.

  

To provide a scientific, dynamic and student-oriented curriculum, inputs from all stake holders like Industry, other Institutes, MSBTE, Alumni, Parents, and Faculty Members were obtained, studied and analysed. It emerged that fundamental knowledge of computers is just not adequate but software knowledge is compulsory for industry, whether he is a Civil, Electrical, Industrial Electronics or Mechanical Engineer. Accordingly, need was felt to group the computer software and IT courses separately and hence a new level computer and IT level was added in the new design.  To make the curriculum further dynamic and to suit the needs of the industry, as well as to provide a platform for a student aspiring for higher studies, Advanced Applied Technology Level or Diversified Level was added.  Thus the total curriculum has been implemented through 7 levels of learning– Foundation, Basic Technology, Advanced and IT, Allied Technology, Applied Technology, Advanced Applied technology and Management with 42 to 45 courses encompassing these 7 levels.  The curriculum structure and design have been validated by experts and resolved by the Governing Body of our Institute. 

In order to implement the curriculum, the Institute is constantly striving hard to strengthen  all its resources.  Links are being established with more and more industries, so that, experts can guide and counsel the students and introduce them to emerging technologies.  Faculty and technical support staff are sent for training and field work, so that, a new pedagogy may be evolved during lectures and demonstrations and followed by practicals.  Efforts are also being made to provide open course ware facilities for students; the details of the curriculum indicate clear objectives rationale that is documented programmewise.   

The guidelines regarding registration, examinations and other norms have been documented after being validated by the Board of Studies and Examinations Committee.  The Five Year Accreditation awarded to our Institute by NBA-AICTE, New Delhi has made our Institute the first and pioneer in Mumbai region and first among other Polytechnics in the State of Maharashtra.

Our vision to be the Center of Excellence in Technician Education makes it an important responsibility that whatever is thought and done in the Institute, should be of utmost perfection, should be well documented, should be of interest to all stake holders, and should make our students the best in the world, and to always carry the Somaiya banner high with great pride. 

“Coming together is a beginning

Keeping together is progress,

                        Working together is success.” - Helen Keller 

This is the moral of our Institute.