Interview by Sakshi Aggarwal

Dr. Rajdeep Singh, Director Principal of CGC College of Engineering

Dr. Rajdeep Singh is presently serving as the Director Principal at CGC College of Engineering since December 2017. Dr. Singh’s academic qualification include Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT Kurukshetra; M.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from G.N.D.E.C, Ludhiana in 2006; and B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from SLIET, Longowal in the year 2001. His total work experience is of 16 years in which he has worked as a Professor and Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering at Chandigarh Engineering College; Associate Professor and Head in Department of Mechanical Engineering at JCDM College of Engineering, Assistant Professor and Head in Department of Mechanical Engineering at JCDM College of Engineering, Sirsa.

Worked as an Assistant Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering at Haryana College of Tech. and Management, Kaithal; Lecturer in Department of Mechanical Engineering at Haryana College of Technology and Management.

He has contributed a lot to the society by actively organizing and participating in Blood Donation Camps; being the voluntary Member of Women Cell at JCDMCOE, Sirsa; and by participating in tree-plantation activities held in JCDV, Sirsa.

Apart from this, Dr. Rajdeep has also published several research papers and journals and has also organised various training programmes.

Dr. Rajdeep’s experience in the education sector

Jobs in the education industry are far more challenging than ever before. People who take teaching as a profession now are shouldered with a host of responsibilities and have to be at the beck and call of the management/authorities and of the students as well. Education has become an industry, and every industry thrives on people who have the requisite talent to prove that they are worth this job. So, it becomes our utmost responsibility and accountability to utilise the manpower and their skills in such a manner to achieve the desired expectations academically as well as in the field of research.

CGC College of Engineering

Dr. Rajdeep’s philosophy of leadership

My philosophy of leadership is “to have the courage, confidence and commitment to connect with and inspire others to achieve extraordinary results through teamwork”. Creating and sharing this philosophy is a much stronger way to lead people efficiently and help them perform well while maintaining positive relationships.

Significant challenges faced by Dr. Rajdeep as the Director Principal of CGC College of Engineering

The syllabus designed by the university has more emphasis on theoretical aspects as compared to the hands-on experience for the students. It no way matches modern industry requirements and challenges. The major challenge that we face today is how to fulfill the industry-academia gap.

Curriculum at CGC College of Engineering

University curriculum ensures that the laboratory practical work meets the current industry standards. The theoretical part of various subjects pertains to the complete reference towards technological process behind every industrial work. After being acquainted with theory, students apply that knowledge in performing a variety of laboratory experiments which are at par with the industrial processes and practices.

Growth of students through placement opportunities available at CGC

From the students’ perspective, high-quality placements can bring a range of benefits and positive impacts. There is strong evidence to suggest that placements are extremely valuable to students, both in terms of their academic performance and their employability skills. To make students more placement-ready, frequent industrial visits, workshops and expert lectures should be conducted to familiarize students to the changing trends in industrial operations.

Read more about the placement opportunities available at CGC here.

Dr. Rajdeep’s relationship with the students

Being the Director, I believe in an “open door policy” according to which students are always welcomed with their problems and also there are face to face interaction sessions, scheduled a time to time through proper channel.

Ideal school environment according to Dr. Rajdeep and how he encourages that kind of culture at CGC COE

Building a positive environment in individual classrooms and throughout the whole institute is a matter of cultivating and maintaining good relationships among administrator, faculty and students. It takes commitment and consistency from the whole team. How to share, how to listen to others, how to disagree respectfully-these are the kind of essential social skills we expect our students to have for an ideal school environment. I believe that when students are taught with a proactive and praise-heavy approach, they tend to do better.

Know about the faculty at CGC here.

Top qualities according to Dr. Rajdeep that an engineering aspirant must possess

For an aspiring engineer, followings are the traits he/she must possess:

  • Ability to work as a part of the team,
  • Skillful and knowledgeable,
  • Strong analytical mind,
  • Excellent communication skills,
  • Leadership and managerial skills.

Goals in mind for CGC for the next few years

As head of a renowned institute, I wish to get NBA accreditation to bridge the industry-academic gaps. I also wish to stay tuned with the recent innovative technologies and methodologies, so as to offer courses that benefit students to enhance their employability. 

CGC College of Engineering

Suggestions for the current youth and inspiring students

The world is full of infinite ideas and suggestions, but success only comes when you have clear vision for future and zeal to fulfill it. Believe in yourself and get motivated all the time to face challenges of life, set goals and achieve them through fervent actions.