Mumbai: Engineering students are expected to excel academically and possess a global perspective and cross-cultural skills in today’s ever-evolving world. Recognizing this irrefutable requirement, NMIMS Deemed-to-be University’s School of Engineering has joined forces with Binghamton University, State University of New York, a world-class University based in New York, USA, to redefine engineering education. The MoU between the two institutions will encompass NMIMS’s Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering (MPSTME), Mumbai & Shirpur, and the School of Technology Management & Engineering (STME) at Indore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Navi Mumbai campuses.
The importance of a multicultural experience and the development of soft skills cannot be overstated in today’s competitive job market. Engineering graduates who possess technical expertise and the ability to work seamlessly in diverse environments are in high demand. The NMIMS-Binghamton University collaboration recognizes this need and is designed to promote these critical skills, ensuring that students emerge not only as accomplished engineers but also as well-rounded individuals prepared for the challenges of the global workforce.
The most exciting aspect of this partnership is the introduction of the collaborative 3.5+1.5 degree program, which signifies the start of a new era in academic and research collaboration between Binghamton University and NMIMS. Under its purview, students from NMIMS will spend three and a half years studying at NMIMS and the entire last semester of one and a half years at Binghamton University. Upon completion of the program, they will receive a Bachelor’s degree from NMIMS and a Master’s degree from Binghamton University.
The engineering school at NMIMS has always placed great emphasis on providing students with applied knowledge. To attain this objective, the curriculum was revamped a few years ago, with the first batch of students following this revised curriculum in their fourth year now. One notable change is that the final semester now offers students the flexibility to either work with a company or engage in a research project during their last semester in addition to their regular summer internships. With this revised curriculum, NMIMS also aims to cultivate global citizens apart from honing their applied knowledge.
This visionary program opens doors to many advantages for students, including undertaking research projects, taking master-level courses relevant to their specializaton, getting exposure to diverse learning environments, and the invaluable gift of gaining a global perspective. In this agreement, students can opt to pursue their master’s at the partner university. In such a case, the additional courses undertaken will speed up their master’s journey. Moreover, the courses can also carry significant value if a student opts to pursue a master’s degree at a different university.
By blending academic rigour with international exposure, this partnership will not only enrich the NMIMS students’ experience but also promise to empower them as global citizens equipped to confront complex engineering challenges with confidence and expertise.
Dr Sharad Mhaiskar, Pro VC at NMIMS, emphasized, “Our partnership with Binghamton University is a transformative step in engineering education, equipping our students with the skills and perspectives needed to thrive in a multicultural and interconnected world. At NMIMS, we always strive to give our students a holistic experience. This collaboration will be enriching by broadening their horizons as they enter the professional world.”
Dr Krishnaswami Srihari, Dean Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science State University of New York, Binghamton University, shared the excitement, stating, “It has become imperative for students to have a global mindset in today’s world. This program exemplifies our dedication to nurturing global perspectives among engineering students along with technical and applied knowledge. We eagerly await the first cohort to visit our university for a rewarding and fulfilling experience.”
NMIMS is endeavouring to create more such opportunities for its students through international collaborations, with Binghamton University setting the tone for future partnerships. The aim is to foster global citizenship and provide students with a strong foundation of applied knowledge and multicultural experience, ultimately preparing them to excel in their professional careers.
