Center of Excellence for Design Thinking and Innovation Vishwakarma University Pune

There has always been a high demand for change, as per the situation and need, in a favourable or unfavourable context. The context of a changing environment results in human physiological changes which are necessary for life, and change is life. Change symbolises growth. However, there are limits to human adaptability and therefore limits to the rate of change with which a person can cope in any given situation. Designers & thinkers are therefore responsible and play a wider role of providing the relevant desired change to stimulate without overloading the human system and application to a higher extent as a tangible outcome. To explain in a nutshell, the following points will explain in the best possible way its role and purpose

Imbibe the powerful design thinking tools and techniques

Solve complex challenges using proven design-thinking frameworks

Combine design-thinking processes with analytical tools

Improve collaboration across functions

Vision

To collaboratively develop an eco-system for seeding and nurturing spirit of curiosity, logical thinking, ideation,
Design thinking, creativity, innovation and social awareness to facilitate transformation of ideas of student and faculty to techno-commercially viable and relevant projects useful for society.

Mission

To enable a platform for collaboration, cooperation and operations for Binghamton University and Vishwakarma University (and Institutes) students and faculty
To create and teach a design thinking and problem solving framework
To develop multidisciplinary approach to system, product and service design
To synergize the expertise of center-of-excellence in Vishwakarma University for project building.
To develop cross-cultural design thinking ability
To build human centricity and empathy in design solutions
To promote ability to innovate
To develop the creative confidence in our students
To foster a culture for the experimentation and prototyping of design solutions
To co-create impactful solutions to societal problems

Objectives

To enable platform for collaboration, cooper
ation and operation for Binghamton University and Vishwakarma University (and Institutes) student and faculty
To create a design thinking and problem solving framework.
To develop a multidisciplinary approach to system design.
To synergize expertise of center-of-excellences in VU for project building.
To develop cross-cultural design thinking ability.
To build empathy in design solutions.
To promote the ability to innovate
To create impactful solutions to societal problems.

Goals

Build our brand and contribute to the betterment of society by applying and expanding the Design Thinking & Innovation body of knowledge

Philosophy of the Centre

Concept of centre of excellence (COE) is a team of skilled knowledge provider whose mission is to channelize the organization they work for with best practices around a particular area of interest related and in the development towards the benefit of society/industry through professional projects with a specific purpose.
Centre of excellence is also committed to fill the gaps through a rigorous research work with a defined process by collaborating with projects related to industry, NGOs/ and government organizations.

Principle for Design Thinking and Innovation

Human Centric (Empathy)
Collaboration
Visualization
Experimentation
Re-design

5 Pillar of the Centre

Capacity Building: Student & Faculty
Projects: Student, Research & Joint
Funding Projects – Grants & Awards
Book Contributions: IPR, Books, Blogs, Publications, & Articles
Societal Impact: Industry Projects, Internships & Training

SWOT Analysis

What internal Strengths can we leverage?

Multidisciplinary programs and faculty at VU experts in IPR
Strong Industry connections and collaborations
Strong Arts & Departments programs and faculty
Prototyping labs on campus for new innovations
Motivated team that is inspired by DT&I
Developed a unique & effective Design Thinking & Innovation process (flexible, portable & scalable) - applicable across all domains
Marketing & Branding capabilities (trademarks, promotional materials, etc.)

What internal Weakness can we overcome?

Limited access to funding agencies
Growing graduate programs and research project opportunities

What external Threats should we guard against?

Other institutions trying to providing similar programs and offerings
COVID-19 variants extending the pandemic and lockdown restrictions

What external Opportunities can we take advantage of?

Crisis and societal changes (new normal) post-COVID “new normal”
Growing need for safe & secure food supply chain
Block chain technology ensures authenticity of products
Growing interest in the Design Thinking approach to innovation and problem solving
National innovation and Startup policy
New Education Policy (NEP) - student can earn credit (transferable to any institution) e.g. 2+2 program with VU and BU

Project

Uniform Design World Wisdom School –Pune

Client Requirement

Grade 1st to 5th Grade (Primary)
Grade 6th to 10th Grade (Secondary)
Grade 11th and 12th Grade (Junior College / Higher Secondary)

Formal Dress for both Boys and Girls
4 Sports Uniforms according to Houses for both Boys and Girls
Winter Jacket or Hoody

VU Team Members

Sr No	Faculty Members
1.	Prof. (Dr) Kailas Patil (Director, Design Thinking and Innovation Center)
2.	Prof. Mrs. Apurva Thosar (DyDirector, Design Thinking and Innovation Center)
3.	Prof. Prashant Acharya (DyDirector, Design Thinking and Innovation Center)
4.	Prof. Mrs. Nalini Naik Nimbalkar (Dean, Arts and Design)
5.	Prof. Mrs. Reena Pande (HoD, Fashion Design)
6.	Prof. Ms. Nisha Khandekar (Faculty, Fashion Design)
7.	Prof. Mrs. Vaishali Wagh (Faculty, Fashion Design)

Sr No	Students Members
1.	Madhuja Ashtaputre
2.	Bhargavi Divate
3.	Nitisha Kothari
4.	Prapti Fulfagar
5.	Maahi Deshmukh
6.	Saumya Parikh
7.	Divyal Lahoti
8.	Shrushti Shingvi
9.	Divya Lunawat
10.	Riya Firodiya

Smart Bench Design World Wisdom School –Pune

Client Requirement

Primary & Secondary students
Smart Bench should be ergonomically with screen

VU Team Members

Sr No	Faculty Members
1.	Prof. (Dr) Kailas Patil (Director, Design Thinking and Innovation Center)
2.	Prof. Mrs. Apurva Thosar (DyDirector, Design Thinking and Innovation Center)
3.	Prof. Prashant Acharya (DyDirector, Design Thinking and Innovation Center)
4.	Prof. Swathish Thiyagu
5.	Prof. Akash Alegaonka

Sr No	Students Members
1.	Om Bankar

Activity Table

Sr. No.	Activities
1.	Multi-disciplinary course in Design Thinking Multi-disciplinary course (2-credit hours) Designed for 2nd and 3rd year students (71 registered students) Co-teaching in Live Virtual Classroom – Acharya, Patil, Apurva Thosar, and Testani Online Instruction and strong activity-based learning (14 project teams) Timing is for Year 1 (2021)
2.	Induction Program-For S&T New admitted students on18/08/2021
3.	Induction Program For A&D (B.DES Foundation) New admitted students on 6/09/2021,13/09/2021(2days)
4.	Induction Program - For A&D (Department of Interior Spaces, Animation, Fashion) New admitted students on17/09/2021
5.	5. Design Thinking and Innovation organizing FDP for Viswakrama University Faculties. Date- 6/08/2021
6.	Viswakarma Vidyalaya Critical Thinking For class 8,9,10th students 15,16,17 APRIL 2021 Time -5.30pm-6.30pm - Time Duration – 60Mins
7.	Higher order Thinking skills and Intergation of higher order thinking skills For class 9,10TH stu- dents Wisdom school
8.	Design Thinking -Industrial interaction workshop with MIG 29/10/2020
9.	Using Design Thinking to reimaging a better future Date -16/02/2022 Time- 6pm-7pm Speaker – Prof. Micael Testani
10.	Global Ev Market data and Exploration Date -16/03/2022 Time- 6pm-7pm Speaker- Dr. Yong Wang
11.	Design Thinking An Innovation approach that draws from designers toolkits to integrate the needs of people. Date- 25/03/2022 Time -10.30am – 5.30am Venue- Vishwakarma University Auditorium Speaker –Prof. Micael Testani , Prof. Kailas Patil, Prof. Apurva Thosar, Prof.Prashant Acharya
12.	Design Thinking Innovation workshop For World Wisdom School Date- 13/01/2022 Time – 8am-9am Speaker - Prof. Micael Testani

Our Collaborators

Introduction

Vision

Mission

Objectives

Goals

Philosophy of the Centre

Principle for Design Thinking and Innovation

5 Pillar of the Centre

SWOT Analysis

What internal Strengths can we leverage?

What internal Weakness can we overcome?

What external Threats should we guard against?

What external Opportunities can we take advantage of?

Our Team

Prof. Michael Testani

Prof. (Dr.) Kailas Patil

Prof. Prashant S. Acharya

Prof. Apurva Thosar

Trainings / Courses offered

Design Thinking Workshops and Events

Workshop No. I 17/09/2019-18/09/2019 (2 Days)

Workshop No. II 3/12/2019-4/12/2019 (2 Days)

Workshop No. III 30/01/2020-31/01/2020 (2 Days)

Workshop No. IV 25/02/2020-26/02/2020 (2 Days)

Design Thinking and Innovation certification program

Programme Type - Certification Programme

Course Code - DT2021-101

Communicably - Summer 2021

Total Mark- 100

Credits - 2

Project

Uniform Design World Wisdom School –Pune

VU Team Members

Smart Bench Design World Wisdom School –Pune

VU Team Members

Activity Table

Contact Us

Prof. (Dr.) Kailas Patil

Prof. Prashant S. Acharya

Prof. Apurva Thosar

Workshop No. I
17/09/2019-18/09/2019 (2 Days)

Workshop No. II
3/12/2019-4/12/2019 (2 Days)

Workshop No. III
30/01/2020-31/01/2020 (2 Days)

Workshop No. IV
25/02/2020-26/02/2020 (2 Days)