Know about KIIT School of Design: An Interview with Mr. Ratheesh Nair

In this exclusive interview with Careers360, Mr Ratheesh Nair, Assistant Director of KIIT School of Design (KSOD) - KIIT University, shares details about the KSOD admission process, vision and mission, infrastructure, internship, collaborations and more. To know more about KIIT School of Design (KSOD) - KIIT University go through the complete interview.

About: KIIT School of Design (KSOD) - KIIT University has been approved by AICTE and recognised by UGC. KIIT has established the School of Design from the academic session 2023. KIIT School of Design courses include BDes in different specialisations such as Automobile & Transportation Design, Graphic Design and Product Design. KSOD admission to BDes programmes is done through the KIIT Entrance Examination (KIITEE) conducted by KIIT, Bhubaneswar. Facilities available at the KIIT School of Design are Design Classrooms, Design Workshop, CAD Laboratory, Clay Modelling Laboratory and others.

Q. Tell us something about KIIT School of Design; when it was set up, vision and mission

Ans: As approved by AICTE and recognised by UGC, KIIT in its endeavour of excellence, has always believed that one must march forward to be followed by others. KIIT has established the School of Design from the academic session 2023. The school caters to the national and international students seeking to be Design Graduates namely in the field of Automotive & Transportation Design, Graphic Design and Product Design. KIIT School of Design aims to fulfill the long-felt need of a design school under a reputed university especially in the Eastern part of the country, which is the first of its kind. The Institute is dedicated to focusing itself on creating professionals who would aspire to bear the flag in the blooming Design Sector.

Vision: To create the most reputed and advanced value-based Design School of professional learning with international standards to enlighten and share knowledge through the relentless pursuit of perfection and quality education to all. Equipping the students for corporate readiness and industry engagements is one among the priorities.

Mission

• To impart world-class design philosophies.

• To empower students to utilise their innovative mindset and the skillsets they will acquire at the Design School.

• To impart student-centric learning methods (Adaptable and Flexible).

• To provide maximum professional opportunities and create industry readiness for the students.

• To craft not only design employees but have the capability to employ others within the Design landscape and beyond thus creating entrepreneurs.

• To use the design education for nation-building and contribution to the economic development of the nation.

• Constantly challenging beyond boundaries and leading and initiating a Design Revolution in education.

Q. Tell us something about the KIIT School of Design admission process.

Ans: Admission at KIIT starts with registering for the Design KIITEE (KIIT Entrance Exam) online on our official website for free. There are usually three phases of the KIITEE. Once the students complete any of the KIITTEE and get through it, the admission department will then guide them to securing admission. Please keep in mind that KIIT School of Design (KSOD) has a very limited number of 60 seats only per year.

Q. What kind of infrastructure can students expect at KIIT School of Design? Please elaborate.

Ans: KIIT School of Design (KSOD) has a well-established infrastructure which includes ergonomically designed classrooms, state-of-the-art laboratories, computer-aided design labs with Wacom Cintiq interactive display monitors for digital work, 3-D software, mechanical workshops, clay modelling labs and many more for the best in country design education.

Q. There is a lot of stress that is being made with regard to interaction with the industry as well as companies that recruit. What are the steps being taken by the KIIT School of Design in this direction?

Ans: At KIIT School of Design (KSOD), we prioritise industry connections as most of our guest lecturers and faculties are from the industry itself. We have signed many MOUs with multiple MNCs in and outside the nation, we have student/faculty exchange programmes, sharing valuable design philosophies between universities from around the globe. KIIT University is known for its tremendously successful recruitment process, KIIT School of Design is no exception. No stones are left unturned when it comes to giving the best design education to our students.

Q. Internships are now mandatory as per AICTE guidelines. Does KIIT School of Design help students with this? If yes, how?

Ans: KIIT School of Design (KSOD) guides students for placements/ internships as we have numerous ties with the industry itself. Most masterclasses are conducted by many leading personalities in the design industry thus creating a bridge between our students and the industry.

Q. Can you please share details if there is any collaboration with universities abroad?

Ans: KIIT School of Design has collaborations with Kookmin University, South Korea, and Coventry University, London.

About the Interviewee

Mr. Ratheesh Nair, Assistant Director of the School of Design at KIIT University. A teacher by choice, Ratheesh Nair is an Automotive Designer and an Engineering Designer, brought up in the Middle East, and has an experience of over 15 years in the field of Engineering, Designing and Pedagogy. A naturally talented artist, a super biker, racer, and a hardcore petrol head himself, he has pursued his passion for automobiles by completing Transportation & Automotive Design at the prestigious Kookmin University, South Korea under some of the best mentors from around the world. He has done many projects for numerous Indian and Foreign Automotive manufacturers. Though he was offered many opportunities in the industry, his drive to achieve unparalleled perfection in the design education sector has him initiate the Design School at KIIT.

Disclaimer: This content was distributed by the School of Design at KIIT University and has been published as part of Careers360’s marketing initiative.