Overview: Centre of Inter & Multidisciplinary Research Collaboration and Learning Excellence (CIRCLE)

Centre of Inter & Multidisciplinary Research Collaboration and Learning Excellence (CIRCLE) 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 2023, the centre has consistently upheld its commitment to fostering technical expertise, research acumen, and ethical leadership in its students in respective streams.

The CIRCLE 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.

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

The CIRCLE presently runs five streams namely

  1. Electric Vehicles
  2. Smart Cities
  3. FinTech
  4. AIML
  5. Robotics and Automation.

Four more MDM streams which are proposed in the future which are

  1. Geomatics Engineering
  2. AgriTech
  3. Sustainability
  4. Quantum Technologies.

Each stream has carefully crafted industry-oriented curriculum with laboratory component and mini project for hands-on experience and solving real life problems, respectively.

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

Objectives

The CIRCLE aims to achieve the following objectives:

  1. Provide Quality Education:
    Deliver a comprehensive, industry-relevant curriculum to empower students with foundational knowledge, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities in the field of robotics and automation engineering.
  2. Foster Research and Innovation:
    Promote a culture of research by encouraging students and faculty to explore emerging technologies, develop innovative solutions, and contribute to advancements in fields.
  3. Develop Industry-Ready Professionals:
    Equip students with the technical expertise, professional ethics, and communication skills required to excel in diverse roles within the global technology landscape.
  4. Encourage Lifelong Learning:
    Instil the importance of continuous learning and adaptability, preparing graduates to keep pace with the rapid evolution of technology and industry demands.
  5. Strengthen Industry-Academia Collaboration:
    Establish partnerships with leading companies and research organizations to provide students with exposure to real-world challenges, internships, placements, and collaborative projects.
  6. Promote Entrepreneurship and Leadership:
    Nurture entrepreneurial skills and leadership qualities among students, inspiring them to create startups, lead teams, and innovate in the tech ecosystem.
  7. Contribute to Society:
    Develop socially responsible engineers by engaging students in projects and activities that address societal challenges, leveraging technology for the betterment of humanity.
  8. Enhance Global Competence:
    Prepare students to compete and collaborate on an international scale through global exposure, participation in international competitions, and collaborations with universities worldwide.
  9. Maintain Academic Excellence:
    Continuously improve teaching methodologies, resources, and infrastructure to deliver a world-class educational experience that meets the highest academic standards.
  10. Empower Alumni Engagement:
    Build a strong alumni network to support current students through mentorship, career guidance, and collaborative opportunities, while celebrating the achievements of past graduates.

Vision

To produce capable graduates with an aptitude for research and leadership in respective Minor Studies undertaken.

Mission

  • To promote excellence in CIRCLE education through relevant academic curricula and innovative teaching learning processes.
  • To offer different opportunities to the students for development of professional skills.
  • To nurture critical thinking and creativity in the students.
  • To inculcate in the student’s life-long learning attitude and sensitivity towards society & environment.

Quality Policy

The CIRCLE is committed to upholding the highest standards of education, research, and professional integrity. Guided by its mission to foster excellence in computing and technology.

Leadership

Dr. Sachin Paramane
(Head of MDM (Multidisciplinary Minor) Centre

Dr. Sachin Paramane is highly accomplished result-oriented dynamic Technology Leader with 18 years of experience in R&D and technology function in different industries, including power, IoT, AI/ML, robotics, solar energy, consumer appliances, automotive, and precision instruments. He is the lead coordinator of the MDM Centre and also head of the Robotics and Automation at Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli. He joined the institution in 2025 and has since made significant contributions for the curriculum development aligned with the industry requirements and developing the state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence in Robotics, Automation and Mechatronics. Dr. Paramane holds a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Bombay, specializing in Computational Fluid Dynamics and M. Tech from IIT Delhi with specialization in Thermal Engineering. In his last assignment he worked for the Entrepreneurship development and start-up ecosystem at IIT Bombay.

Dr. Paramane has 8 patents and copyrights to his credit and has published numerous papers in national and international journals and conferences. He has also been involved in several sponsored industry projects in IoT with applications in Agriculture, Healthcare and Industrial IoT. He has delivered several invited talks at various conferences, FDPs and symposiums. He is a reviewer of various reputed international journals.

Dr. Shefali Sonawane Professor of IT is currently Leading this Department 

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