Overview: Department of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

The Department of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at Walchand College of Engineering (WCE), Sangli, stands as a beacon of excellence, shaping the future of technology and innovation since its inception. Established in 2024, the department has consistently upheld its commitment to fostering technical expertise, research acumen, and ethical leadership in its students.

The department has cultivated a reputation for academic rigor, blending foundational knowledge with cutting-edge technological advancements. With a carefully crafted curriculum aligned to industry needs and global standards, it prepares students to thrive in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. The emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, problem-solving, and real-world applications has made its graduates highly sought-after by top-tier organizations.

Faculty and students alike have contributed to advancements in technology through publications in reputed journals, participation in conferences, and collaborative projects with industry leaders.

The department maintains strong ties with the technology industry, enabling students to bridge the gap between academia and professional practice. Partnerships with renowned companies for internships, placements, and collaborative projects ensure that students gain hands-on experience and exposure to real-world challenges.

The department boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, including modern laboratories, high-performance computing facilities, and access to the latest software tools. These resources empower students to experiment, innovate, and excel in their endeavours. Additionally, a robust library and online resources provide the intellectual backbone for comprehensive learning.

At the heart of the department is its student-centric approach. Faculty members serve as mentors, guiding students not just in academics but also in personal and professional development. The department actively promotes extracurricular activities, technical clubs, and community engagement, fostering a holistic growth environment.

Objectives

The Department of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning aims to achieve the following objectives:

  1. To build conceptual and practical competencies in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
  2. To nurture professional excellence through industry engagement and multidisciplinary collaboration.
  3. To develop the ability to analyze data-driven challenges and create sustainable AI-based solutions.
  4. To produce industry-ready AI professionals committed to lifelong learning and ethical practices.

Policy

To be a center of excellence in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning education, research, and innovation, nurturing globally competent professionals and ethical technologists committed to societal advancement.

Vision

To produce capable Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning graduates with an aptitude for research and leadership skills to serve industry and society.

Mission

To achieve above Vision, all stakeholders of this programme are committed to following missions-

  • To impart expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning through an evolving curriculum and innovative teaching-learning practices.
  • To cultivate the ability to address industrial and societal challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration.
  • To foster critical thinking and analytical excellence in pursuit of innovative and sustainable solutions to real-world challenges.
  • To inculcate lifelong learning, ethical responsibility, and commitment towards society and the environment.

Strength

The Department of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning stands out for its key strengths, which include:

  • Industry-Aligned Curriculum
  • Experienced and Research-Oriented Faculty
  • Advanced Laboratory Infrastructure
  • Strong Research and Innovation Culture
  • Emphasis on Experiential Learning
  • Robust Industry Collaboration
  • Focus on Ethical and Responsible AI
  • Holistic Student Development
  • Global Exposure Opportunities
  • Supportive Alumni Network


These strengths collectively position the department as a leader in AIML education, research, and innovation.
 

Areas of Expertise

The Department of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning excels in the following areas of expertise:

  1. Artificial Intelligence & Intelligent Systems
  2. Machine Learning & Deep Learning
  3. Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  4. Computer Vision & Image Processing
  5. Data Science & Big Data Analytics
  6. Cybersecurity & AI for Security
  7. Edge AI & Embedded Intelligence
  8. Computer Networks and Distributed Systems
  9. Cloud Computing & AI Deployment
  10. Blockchain and Decentralized Applications
  11. Open-Source Development and Contributions
  12. High Performance Computing

These areas of expertise enable the department to provide students with advanced knowledge and practical skills, preparing them for leadership roles in the ever-evolving technology landscape.

Salient Department Features

The Department of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at Walchand College of Engineering stands out for its unique features and strengths, including:

  1. Academic Excellence:
    • Industry-aligned curriculum focusing on foundational and advanced topics.
    • Highly qualified faculty with expertise in cutting-edge technologies. Nearly 90% of faculties are PhD registered.
  2. State-of-the-Art Infrastructure:
    • Modern computer labs are equipped with high-performance systems.
    • Access to advanced tools, software, and cloud computing platforms.
  3. Research and Innovation:
    • Active research in emerging fields like AI, machine learning, data science, and IoT.
    • Regular publications in reputed journals and conference participations with scopus and SCI indexing.
  4. Strong Industry Interface:
    • Collaborations with leading tech companies for internships, placements, and projects.
    • Industry-expert guest lectures, workshops, and certifications.
  5. Skill Development Opportunities:
    • Emphasis on hands-on learning through hackathons, coding challenges, and projects.
    • Active technical clubs and student organizations fostering innovation.
  6. Global Competence:
    • Alumni placed in top organizations and pursuing higher education globally.
    • Exposure to international competitions and exchange programs.
  7. Student-Centric Environment:
    • Personalized mentoring by faculty for academic and professional growth.
    • Focus on holistic development through extracurricular and co-curricular activities.
  8. Placement Excellence:
    • High placement rates with opportunities in top companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft.
    • Dedicated training for technical interviews, coding tests, and soft skills.
  9. Continuous Improvement:
    • Regular updates to the curriculum and teaching methodologies.
    • Feedback-driven enhancements for a superior learning experience.

These features collectively position the department as a leader in producing highly skilled, innovative, and socially responsible engineers.

Leadership

Dr. Vivek Nivrutirao Waghmare
(Head of the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)

Dr. Vivek Nivrutirao Waghmare is a highly regarded academician and researcher for years. He completed his B.Tech. (Computer Science & Engineering) from Shri Guru Gobind Singhji Institute of Engineering and Technology Nanded, India in 2008, and his M.Tech. (Computer Science & Engineering) in 2010 from Walchand College of Engineering Sangli, India. He completed his Ph.D. (Computer Science and Engineering) at Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded, India in 2017. He has more than 15 years of teaching and research experience.

He serves many as a reviewer for many International Conferences and Journals. He has published 06 patents and more than 33 research papers in different International Conferences and Journals indexed by Scopus, Science Citation Index (SCI), Web of Science, and UGC. He organized many National/State level FDP, STTP, and Workshop and receives more than 15 lacks research grants from different Government funding Agencies to date.

He works as a Research Scholar at the High-Performance Computing Research Laboratory, Walchand College of Engineering Sangli, which received a research grant of approx. Rs. 50,00,000/-, from NRB-DRDO (Naval Research Board, Defence Research and Development Organization).

He is a Board of Studies (BoS) Member, or the course Bachelor of Computer Science & Application (BCA) and Bachelor of Film, Animation & VFX (BFA) at Sandip University Nashik, India. He is also the recipient of “The Excellence in Teaching Award”, by the T. P. Foundation, Nashik. His recent research interest includes Computational Science and Hugh Performance Computing.

He is one of the best researchers who balance academic and professional knowledge.

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