Wired for the Future: An Interview with Dr. Nagnath Bhagirathi Vasant Bhusnar,on Innovation in Electronics

In an era dominated by ever-evolving technology and endless distractions, remaining grounded in values while shaping future generations is a rare quality. Dr. Nagnath Bhagirathi Vasant Bhusnar, a professor in the Electronics Department at Nowrosjee Wadia College, Pune, has quietly but powerfully influenced the lives of hundreds of young minds. He is a testament to a career built on discipline, empathy, and vision.

From humble beginnings in a small village to completing his MSc from Fergusson College in 2008, clearing NET in 2016, and earning a PhD in 2024, Dr. Bhusnar has been part of Nowrosjee Wadia College since 2008. His journey exemplifies inner transformation alongside academic achievement, fueled by his mother’s resilience and his commitment to mentoring future generations.

In this interview, Dr. Bhusnar shares insights from his journey, his perspectives on education, and advice for today’s students navigating a complex world.

Q: What inspired your journey into electronics and education?

It all began with my mother. Her dedication to my education, even when we had very little, made me value learning early on. I chose electronics because I saw lasting potential in it,unlike many things, hardware doesn't become obsolete as quickly. We're still using the basic transistor technology developed in 1958. 

Q: Were there any key moments or people who influenced your career path?

I’d say it circles back to my mother again. She didn’t just support me,she believed in me. That belief shaped everything. There weren’t specific mentors early on, but her encouragement was enough to keep me focused.

Q: How did you grow into a leadership role within your department,and why did you choose teaching?

As a FYBSc student in 2003, I was extremely shy. Coming from a village, I had a deep inferiority complex. I rarely spoke in class. That silence made me invisible,and it taught me a valuable lesson that your voice matters. Once I found the confidence to speak, I realized people started listening. That’s when I knew I had something to share. I chose teaching not just to inform, but to guide,to help students like me find their voice.

Q: How do you keep students engaged in a world full of distractions and burnout?

By reminding them that learning isn't passive. I encourage interaction, hands-on tasks, and group work. We break away from textbook pages and lectures often. The trick is not fighting digital tools,but making students use them creatively, not mindlessly.

Q: In a technical field like electronics, how do you see the balance between discipline and creativity?

I believe it’s disciplined creativity. About 60% discipline and 40% creativity. You need structure to understand theory and hardware,but without creativity, you’ll never apply those principles innovatively. It’s like music,you need scales before improvisation.

Q: How is Nowrosjee Wadia College contributing to innovation in Electronics?

At Nowrosjee Wadia College, especially in the junior college bifocal Electronics department, we have taken a hands-on approach. Students start working on real-world projects using Arduino and ESP32 boards as early as Class XI. They are involved in creating automation solutions in fields like agriculture, medical, and environmental sectors, promoting precise farming, smart health systems, and more. These projects help students learn practical skills and also contribute to society in meaningful ways. This is our step towards imparting industry-relevant knowledge from an early stage.

Q: Is your department integrating technologies like AI, IoT, or robotics?

We’re working with robotics extensively,our students build real-time automation models and embedded systems projects. AI is in the syllabus, but practical exposure is still limited. That’s one area we’re pushing to grow.

Q: What’s your take on AI in education and decision-making?

AI is a powerful tool, but we must understand that it’s still just a structured system,an algorithm designed by humans. It works based on data and patterns, not emotions or values. In education, AI can be very useful for making learning more accessible, personalizing content, and even helping teachers manage time. But when it comes to decision-making,especially those involving ethics, creativity, or empathy,it cannot replace human judgement. AI can support us by giving us information quickly or showing trends, but the final decision must be made by a thinking, feeling human being.

Q: Is the current education system meeting industry needs?

Not entirely. Industry today demands skills like machine learning, IoT, real-time problem solving. Our syllabus updates slowly. We need to introduce tools like Arduino and Raspberry Pi at the early levels itself,other countries are ahead of us on this.

Q: What do recruiters actually look for in electronics graduates?

Basic electronics skills, strong decision-making ability, and hardware knowledge. I visited Minilec (an industrial automation company in Mulshi), where the Director told me many interns lack fundamentals and struggle with English communication because they overly rely on programming.

Q: What advice would you give to a student who feels “lost” or behind their peers?

Don’t expect others to solve it for you. Sit with yourself. Reflect honestly. What excites you? What frustrates you? Avoid choosing based on what your friends are doing. That never ends well. Your path is yours to shape.

Dr.Bhusnar is not just a teacher,he’s a mentor who believes in nurturing confidence, not just competence. From using his voice for the first time to helping others find theirs, his story is a reminder that leadership begins with listening, learning, and showing up,consistently.

By Aditi Sawarkar