Dr. Prafulla Hatte - Exploring the Role of a Renowned Mechanical Engineer in Modern Engineering Education

 

Dr. Prafulla Hatte, Dean - Research & Development, MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi, Pune     

                             

Dr.Prafulla Hatte is a Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Dean of Research and Development working with the MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi, Pune. He is also a corporate trainer and has conducted more than 100 workshops and training programs. He is a certified career counselor, a neuro-linguistic programmer, and an online educator, and students across 100+ countries have learned mechanical engineering courses from him.

 

 

Educational Qualifications

 

He is a mechanical engineer who holds the degrees of B.E. Mechanical and M.Tech. in Heat Power Engineering from the reputed College of Engineering Pune (COEP). He has a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. He has also completed a Diploma in Business Management and a Masters in Management Science. He is also a Chartered Engineer. He is a certified career counselor. He has also completed certification as a Neuro-Linguistic Programmer.

 

 

Professional Journey

 

He started his career journey as a production engineer with Premier Automobiles Ltd., Pune. The journey continued as a production manager with Pam Pac Machines Ltd., Pune. After working for 8 years in the industry, the gear shifted from industry to academics with the passion to teach and train people. Along with his profession as an engineering educator working with Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Pune, for seven years, he continued his contributions to the industry as a Chartered Engineer of Force Motors Ltd., Pune, and MAN Trucks Ltd., Pithampur. While working with Sandip Institute of Technology & Research Center Nashik, he also worked as a Master Trainer of Wipro Technologies and Trainer of Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Nashik for six years. Since 2015, he has been working with the MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi, Pune. He has 8 years of industry experience and 22+ years of academic experience. He is also contributing to guiding people as a career counselor.

 

 

Groundbreaking Research Initiatives 

 

As a Dean of Research & Development at MIT Academy of Engineering (MITAOE), he has taken various key research initiatives from quality paper publications to filing IPRs and funded projects to research & training consultancy for corporates.

On 26th April 2024, under his leadership and support from the management, the MIT Academy of Engineering filed 65 IPRs in a single day, creating the history of research in the institute.

 

MITAOE conducts patent drives every year and converts ideas into patents. The innovations by the students of MITAOE School of Design are being converted into various IPRs like copyrights, trademarks, industrial designs, etc.

 

Industry-supported projects provide key benefits to the students in terms of real-life problem solutions and industry exposure.

 

Seed funding is provided to the students and teachers involved in research, and the outcomes of these funded projects are presented to the world in terms of research papers in quality journals indexed by Scopus or Web of Science.

 

The research incentive scheme is highly effective in incentivizing teachers who contribute to quality research publications. Funding is also provided to students for conference paper presentations.

 

MITAOE, being an autonomous institute, has provided the flexibility where students can present their papers at reputed conferences in IITs instead of giving routine examinations in the institute. This also helps the students with exposure, problem-solving, and a greater learning experience. 

 

Students and teachers are motivated to visit various industries and universities in India for research, networking, and collaborative research. MOUs have been signed, and students and teachers have started visiting top universities across the globe for international academic and research experience.

 

 

Awards and Accolades

 

He has received the following awards:

 

1. Received the badge “Top Career Counselling Voice” from LinkedIn. (May 2024)
2. Awarded silver certification for reviewing the highest potential real ventures as a global jury at the Wadhwani Foundation. (2022)
3. Awarded Bronze certification for reviewing the highest potential real ventures as a global jury at the Wadhwani Foundation. (June 2021)
4. “Outstanding Achievement in Research & Consultancy Award” by the MIT Academy of Engineering, Pune (September 2019)
5. “Outstanding Achievement in Academics Award” by MIT Academy of Engineering, Pune. (September 2018)
6. “International Teacher and Trainer” awarded by Cambridge University, UK. (August 2009)
7. Awarded as Best Teacher in Academics by Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, (February 2008)

 

 

Achievements:

 

1. His research project was selected in the list of India’s top 15 projects in the “Open Inspiration Competition” hosted by Schaeffler India. (February 2018)
2. International Certification of Engineering Educator with Distinction by IUCEE, USA. (August 2017)
3. He was selected and worked as a master trainer with Wipro Technologies, Bengaluru, for the Mission 10X program. (August 2009 to October 2012)

 

 

Key Traits: Academic Leadership and Corporate Training 

 

As an academic leader, he has maintained a teamwork culture at the MIT Academy of Engineering, Pune. He believes in and practices the empowerment of his team members to elevate them to higher levels of performance and responsibility. As a professor and corporate trainer, he has demonstrated the best qualities of public speaking. He always ensures that the audience gets the best experience learning from him. Touching the lives of people and making a small change in their lives is a major contribution from him as a coach.

 

 

Advice to Aspiring Academicians

 

One must enter the field of academics by choice and not by chance. This is the career that creates the pathways to careers for hundreds of students every year. Your inner passion for teaching must be driving you to choose a career as an academician. The teacher must be the best learner throughout his or her life and always sharpen the skills required to teach the students. Adaption to the ever-changing, dynamic environment is a key to success in this field. Being very open to absorbing the technology is also highly essential. One must have the ability to connect with people and a passion for taking them to their destination.