The Chronicles

Monthly Newsletter of NICMAR University Pune

Nurturing Ideas and Shaping the Built Environment of Tomorrow!!

December 2025, Volume 3, No. 12

Examination Reforms at NICMAR University Pune: A Paradigm Shift Towards Digital Excellence
NICMAR University Pune has undertaken comprehensive reforms in its examination and evaluation system, setting a new benchmark in digitalization, transparency, and academic quality. These initiatives reaffirm the University’s commitment to outcome-based learning, integrity, and student-centric governance.
ERP-Based Examination Management
A major milestone is the complete transition from traditional examination practices to a fully integrated ERP platform. This digital ecosystem streamlines the entire examination lifecycle from registration to result declaration ensuring accuracy, security, and transparency. Real-time monitoring reduces manual intervention and strengthens institutional accountability.
Digital Evaluation for Accountability
The adoption of digital evaluation allows faculty to assess answer scripts remotely, supported by in-built tracking mechanisms. This has improved efficiency, ensured timely evaluations, and minimized logistical challenges while enabling more qualitative assessment.
Strengthened CIA through LMS Integration
Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA) is now seamlessly conducted through the LMS, covering quizzes, assignments, presentations, and case studies. CIA scores automatically sync with the examination portal and the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) module, enabling precise Course Outcome (CO) mapping and accreditation-aligned evaluation.
Online Open House for Transparency
The introduction of an online open house allows students to view evaluated scripts and raise queries digitally, enhancing transparency and trust in the assessment process.
Blockchain-Secured Academic Credentials
NICMAR now issues TESLIN-based, blockchain-enabled certificates that are tamper-proof and globally verifiable, aligning with international best practices.
Student-Centric Digital Services
Digitized services from exam registration to access to transcripts offer seamless convenience and improved academic experience.
These reforms reflect the visionary leadership and support of NICMAR’s management, positioning the University at the forefront of digital academic transformation.

Dr. Adinath Damale
warm regards,
Dr. Adinath Damale
Controller of Examinations
NICMAR University
Fostering Partnerships: Vice Chancellor’s Visit to VNIT & IIM Nagpur
NICMAR’s CSR Outreach: Computer Donation Drive
CREW x Alchemy Launch by Godrej Properties
Expert Session by Larsen & Toubro Ltd.
The Six Sigma Practices @ Mumbai Dabbawalas
Workshop on Student Centric Teaching
Expert Session on Emotional Intelligence
FDP on Effective Case Writing and Case Teaching
Under 25 Summit 2025 at NICMAR University
Constitution Day 2025
Fostering Partnerships: Vice Chancellor’s Visit to VNIT & IIM Nagpur

Hon. Vice Chancellor Dr. (Mrs.) Sushma S. Kulkarni visited VNIT and IIM Nagpur on 21st November 2025, reinforcing NICMAR University’s academic and research collaborations.
At VNIT, she delivered an expert lecture to M.Tech. (CTM) students on “Opportunities and Challenges in the CRIP Industry,” highlighting emerging trends and essential graduate competencies. She also met CTM faculty to explore collaborative teaching and research, held discussions with Prof. Adane on student exchanges and joint studios under the existing MoU, and met VNIT Director Dr. P. L. Patel to strengthen partnerships in Architecture, Planning, and allied areas.
At IIM Nagpur, Dr. Kulkarni met Director Dr. Bhimaraya Metri to plan a Faculty Development Programme (FDP) for NICMAR faculty and appreciated the institute’s campus and academic spaces.The visit reaffirmed NICMAR University’s commitment to deeper institutional linkages through joint programmes, faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative research.

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NICMAR’s CSR Outreach: Computer Donation Drive

On 26th November 2025, NICMAR University, Pune donated computer systems to the Khadki Education Society’s Gulbai Muluk Irani Kanya Shala as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and community connect initiatives. The contribution supports girls’ education by enabling the establishment of a dedicated computer laboratory.
The handover ceremony, held in the Society’s auditorium, was attended by the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sushma Kulkarni, NICMAR faculty members, representatives of the Khadki Education Society, and the Phulora Foundation.
The Vice Chancellor interacted with students and staff, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy and responsible Internet use for academic development. She announced that NICMAR students would regularly visit schools under the Society to teach computer skills and spoken English through the Phulora Foundation, reinforcing NICMAR’s long-term commitment to community development. She also visited the laboratories, where she was briefed on the Society’s dedicated FM radio station, and concluded by sharing a brief message on the community radio. This initiative highlights NICMAR University’s continued efforts to promote educational empowerment and contribute meaningfully to social upliftment through sustained CSR engagement.

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CREW x Alchemy Launch by Godrej Properties

NICMAR University, Pune hosted an Industry Expert Session on 12th November 2025, featuring the launch of CREW x Alchemy, a Godrej Properties initiative aimed at empowering women in the real estate sector.
CREW, a national network of women real estate professionals, was introduced by Mr. Apekshit Khare, Zonal HR Head (WE Zone), and his team, who highlighted the importance of inclusive workplaces and women’s leadership in the industry.The event was graced by the Vice Chancellor and organized under the guidance of Dr. Jonardan Koner (Dean – Career Services & Alumni Relations) and Dr. Avinash Purandare (Head – Industry Expert Talks), along with their team. Interactive discussions and a dynamic Q&A session provided students with valuable industry insights and perspectives on inclusive growth.

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Expert Session by Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

NICMAR University, Pune hosted an insightful Industry Expert Session featuring senior leaders from Larsen & Toubro Ltd., offering students a deeper understanding of current trends in engineering and infrastructure.The distinguished L&T delegation included Mr. Ramkishore S , Vice President & Head, HR Transformation; Mr. Sunil Sharma , General Manager & Head, H R; Mr. Yogesh Sudheer Pande , Head, Heavy Civil Infrastructure; Mr. Anand V , Project Director, Residential Buildings & Factories; Mr. Colin Nonis – Project Director, KUIDFC Projects & Surya WSS ; Mr. Sanjoy Kumar Ray ,Head, CMPC Onshore EP. The experts shared insights on automation, residential construction challenges, and innovations in water management, helping students link academic learning with real-world applications. The event was graced by Dr. Tapash Kumar Ganguli, Interim Director General, and included interactive discussions and a Q&A that enriched students’ industry understanding.

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The Six Sigma Practices @ Mumbai Dabbawalas

The School of Project Management conducted a guest session on “The Six Sigma Process followed by the Mumbai Dabbawalas” on 13th November 2025, delivered by Mr. Raghunath Mendge, President of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association.
The Mumbai Dabbawala system—globally recognized for its exceptional operational excellence—served as a powerful example of precision, coordination, and efficiency in supply chain management. The session offered students practical insights into logistics operations, teamwork, routing strategies, time management, and customer-centric service delivery.
Mr. Mendge’s experiences helped students connect theoretical concepts from Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, and Quality Systems to real-world applications, deepening their understanding of lean methodologies and high-performance delivery frameworks.

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Workshop on Student Centric Teaching

The Centre of Excellence for Academic Practices organized an expert session on “Student Centric Teaching” for newly joined faculty members on 30th October 2025. The session was conducted by Dr. Krishna Vedula, Founder & Executive Director, IUCEE, and Dean Emeritus, University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA.
Dr. Vedula led an interactive, hands-on workshop that helped participants distinguish between teacher-centric and student-centric approaches, understand the value of active learning, and practice engaging classroom strategies.
The session concluded with thanks to the resource person for his insightful contributions. The workshop strengthened learner-focused pedagogy and supported the University’s commitment to innovative and engaging teaching practices.

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Expert Session on Emotional Intelligence

The Centre of Excellence for Academic Practices conducted an expert session on Emotional Intelligence for all NICMAR staff on 19th November 2025. The session was led by Ms. Reena Mathu, Director, Mentes Academy, along with certified EI trainers Ms. Gayathri Shankar and Ms. Dipika Yadav.
The trainers introduced key EI components—self-awareness, empathy, self-regulation, motivation, and interpersonal skills—through interactive discussions, examples, and reflective activities. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, appreciating the experts’ insights and the enthusiastic participation of staff.
The session was well received and contributed significantly to enhancing emotional and interpersonal effectiveness across the NICMAR community.

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FDP on Effective Case Writing and Case Teaching

Department of Research and Development and Centre of Excellence for Academics Practices, NICMAR University, Pune, in collaboration with Sage, successfully organised a Five-Day Faculty Development Program on "Effective Case Writing and Case Teaching" held from 17th to 21st November 2025. The program witnessed active participation from 28 faculty members and research scholars, who engaged in hands-on sessions, peer reviews, and expert mentoring to enhance their skills in developing high-quality teaching cases and impactful case-based pedagogy. Dr. Manish Agarwal, Senior Lecturer, Westminister International University, Tashkent; Dr. Rajni Kant Rajhans, Professor and Dean R&D; Dr. Shalini Rahul Tiwari, Associate Professor, IMT Ghaziabad, provided insights on Effective Teaching Case Development and Dr. Kamal Jain, Distinguished Professor of OB & HR and former Dean at IIM Indore and IIM Raipur, conducted sessions on Case Pedagogy. This FDP marks a significant milestone in advancing academic excellence and fostering innovative teaching methodologies in the built environment and management disciplines.

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Under 25 Summit 2025 at NICMAR University

NICMAR University, Pune hosted the Under 25 Summit 2025 on 1st November, 2025. The event brought together young creators and thinkers for an afternoon of learning and expression. The theme, “Invest in You”, encouraged students to focus on personal growth, creative exploration, and self-awareness. The summit featured panel conversations with industry voices, including actress Sahher Bambba and storyteller Neel Salekar. Students also showcased cultural performances .The event concluded with a musical concert by Deepanshu Parwani, creating an energetic space for students to connect and participate.

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Constitution Day 2025

On 26th November 2025, NICMAR University Pune, celebrated the Constitution Day to commemorate the adoption of the Indian Constitution. The Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sushma Kulkarni, deans, faculty, staff, and students assembled to recite the Preamble of the Constitution, reflecting on the values and principles that guide our nation. The ceremony concluded with the recitation of National Anthem.

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Following management development programs (MDPs) were organised by the School of Executive Education Programmes, NICMAR University, Pune in October:

Name of the Programme Name of the Company Date
Project Management Practitioners’ Programme (Level 1, Module 2) The Tata Power Company Ltd. 6th to 10th October 2025
Management Development Programme-Construction Project Management Madhya Pradesh Building Development Corporation Ltd. (Batch 2) 06th to 11th Oct 2025
Global NICMARians Alumni Meet & Leadership Conclave 5.0 – Dubai

The Global NICMARians Alumni Meet and Construction & Real Estate Leadership Conclave 5.0 brought energy and excitement to the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Business Bay, Dubai on 1st November 2025. NICMAR alumni from around the world came together to relive memories, share laughter, and strengthen lifelong connections. This year’s theme, “Leveraging the Momentum,” focused on bringing alumni and industry leaders from construction, real estate, infrastructure, and consulting together to discuss new ideas, best practices, and emerging opportunities in the sector. The event welcomed 200+ delegates from 50+ organizations, creating a strong platform for networking, collaboration, and industry visibility. Keynote talks and panel discussions offered valuable insights and inspiration to all participants. The conclave also reached NICMARians worldwide through virtual participation, highlighting NICMAR University’s commitment to building a connected and global alumni community. The Dubai edition truly shone - celebrating memories, achievements, and the strong NICMAR spirit.

Oath-Taking Ceremony of Student Council 2025–26

The Oath-Taking Ceremony for the Student Council 2025-26, was held on 13th November, 2025 at NICMAR University, Pune. The event marked the formal handover of responsibilities from the outgoing Student Council to the newly appointed Student Council. The Sash Exchange signified the handover of duties, followed by the official oath taken by each member, led by the Student Coordinator of 2024–25. The event was held in presence of Vice Chancellor, Dr. Mrs. Sushma S. Kulkarni; Dr. Anil Agarwal, Dean, Academics; Dr. Prashant Dave, Registrar; Dr. Darshan Mahajan, Dean, Student Affairs, along with other respected Deans and faculty members.

A Site Visit to the Khambatki Ghat Twin Tube Traffic Tunnel

The School of Construction at NICMAR University, Pune organized a one-day site visit for the PGD QSCM (2025–2026) batch to the Khambatki Twin Tube Traffic Tunnel on the Pune–Bengaluru Highway (NH-48), Satara, on Wednesday, 5 November 2025. The project, commissioned by NHAI and executed by Gayatri Projects Ltd., with consultancy from Segmental Infrastructure Consultant Developers Ltd., represents a major upgrade to the Pune–Satara highway corridor. Designed to bypass the difficult Khambatki Ghat section, the twin-tube tunnel will reduce the travel distance from 15 km to 6.46 km. During the visit, students explored key components of tunnel engineering and gained exposure to different tunnelling methods and construction practices. They also observed ongoing work on the approach roads and a bridge integral to the broader infrastructure development. The visit provided valuable insights into pavement construction, bridge engineering, and large-scale project execution.

Expert Talk on “Digital Communication”

NICMAR Business School (NBS) organized an engaging expert session on “Digital Communication and Social Media-Based Branding” for MBA and FBE Semester I students on November 4, 2025. The session was conducted by Ms. Aboli Junagade, Digital Communication Strategist and co-Founder of "The Brand Quotient" and "45 degrees Marketing Services". She shared valuable insights into how brands today leverage the power of social media for storytelling, engagement, and growth. The session highlighted how LinkedIn serves as a key platform for professional networking and personal branding, encouraging students to use it to share learning experiences and build authentic connections. Also, the expert discussed the power of storytelling in digital communication, using case examples to show how narratives strengthen brand identity and recall. The session also touched upon social media etiquette, campaign design, search optimization, and content consistency, underscoring the importance of ethics, clarity, and audience engagement.

The month of October witnessed sustained momentum in campus placements for the 2024–26 batch, marked by active participation from reputed organizations across diverse sectors. The institute welcomed leading recruiters from domains such as real estate and infrastructure, engineering and EPC services, manufacturing and industrial products, consulting and business advisory, as well as power, design, and diversified business groups. The continued momentum reflects the institute’s deepening industry connect and growing recruiter confidence in its talent pool. With several stalwart organizations already in the pipeline the placement season is poised to achieve further milestones and open up broader opportunities for students.

Patron

Dr. Mrs. Sushma S. Kulkarni

Vice Chancellor, NICMAR University, Pune

Advisor

Dr. Rahul Deshpande

Dean QA, NICMAR University, Pune

Editor

Dr. Vandana Bhavsar

Associate Professor, NICMAR University, Pune

Editor

Dr. Soumi Rai

Associate Professor, NICMAR University, Pune

Assistant Editor

Dr. Shripada Patil

Assistant Professor, NICMAR University, Pune

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