Dr. Mekka Haritha is a distinguished academician and able administrator with more than 14 years of experience. She has grown from the ranks right here at the institute, starting her teaching career as an Assistant Professor in 2009. She obtained her PhD from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Warangal and her Masters from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Warangal. She has published 19 research papers in various reputed national and international journals, besides a couple of patents to her credit. In her impressive teaching and administrative career, she has consistently promoted innovative teaching practices and imaginative thinking. She has endeared herself to her students and colleagues alike through her affable nature and empathetic leadership style.

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Narasaraopeta Engineering College

Being a head of department of college, what are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

As the Head of Department in a college, my primary responsibilities toward students include ensuring the quality of academic programs, fostering a supportive learning environment, and providing guidance for their educational and career development. This entails overseeing curriculum development, addressing student concerns, and promoting initiatives that enhance their academic and personal growth. Ultimately, my role is to create an enriching and inclusive educational experience that empowers students to succeed and achieve their goals.

How do you tend to establish healthy relations with the students and fellow faculty? 

In order to establish healthy relationships with students and fellow faculty, I maintain an open-door policy. I make it a point to actively engage in communication and also encourage feedback to create a supportive and collaborative environment. I also believe that building trust, showing respect, and fostering a culture of mutual respect and shared goals are essential in these relationships.

How do you try to bring in a practical approach towards subjects and make it industry oriented?

By collaborating with industry partners and professionals, we use their help to design our curriculum. These partnerships also offer internships and cooperative education programs to our students and facilitate real-time projects. Additionally, we encourage faculty to stay updated with industry trends and technologies and integrate them into the curriculum while also ensuring that students graduate with practical skills and knowledge relevant to their field of study.

What are the best practices offered by the department to the students which help them gain necessary skills? 

We have numerous practises that are unique to our institute that set us apart from other institutes. We promote self-learning where we provide the resources and facilities for the students to study in. It is also important to concentrate on practical training to practise the theoretical knowledge and polish essential skills. Our students also do internships that not only help with their resumes but also help them decide which direction to take their careers in.

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How do you strategize the curriculum and how often it gets updated to make it befitting for the students? 

We make efforts to modernise our curriculum by aligning it with educational goals, industry trends, and student needs. Regular assessment and feedback from teachers, students, and stakeholders guide curriculum updates. Moreover, to ensure it remains relevant and effective for students, curriculum updates are typically done annually or as per changing requirements.

What are your views upon the placements and higher education about the students from your department or how does your department prepare students for Higher education?

Our department places a strong emphasis on preparing students for both placements and higher education opportunities. For placements through career guidance, we provide guidance and counselling to students to help them understand the job roles and industrial expectations. We organise various skill development programs, workshops, and seminars to enhance the students' employability skills. Our placement cell actively works to connect students with potential employers.

How do you help your student to cope up with the competition being so high in the outside world? 

We support students in coping with intense competition by fostering a holistic learning environment. We encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation through the curriculum. We also facilitate industry interactions, internships, and research opportunities. Promoting teamwork, leadership skills, and extracurricular activities builds well-rounded individuals. Regularly reviewing and updating the curriculum keeps it current and aligned with industry demands. Lastly, psychological, and emotional support services can assist students in managing stress and maintaining a balanced approach to competition.

What are the challenges you faced/ are facing to uplift the quality of education of your department? 

The curriculum must be changed to reflect current business developments while maintaining high academic standards. It might be challenging to encourage students to participate actively, to create industrial connections, and to guarantee accreditation standards are met. Ongoing challenges include improving evaluation methodologies, supporting students, keeping up with educational trends, training faculty, and becoming ready for international competitiveness.

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When you came to the college, what was your vision and how are you trying to achieve the same? 

I joined this college on November 20, 2020. My vision is to provide an encouraging learning environment that enables students to become competent, moral engineers. This involves open access to education, the development of useful skills, and a solid ethical foundation. Additionally, I want to provide opportunities for holistic growth, career counseling, and support services so that every student may succeed academically and professionally and positively impact society through their technical knowledge.

How does the curriculum of your department/college ensures the best practice of the industry? 

In the curriculum of our department, it is made mandatory that every student complete one NPTEL course. They also need to complete an internship for four to eight months and a community service project for a similar duration. There is also practical training provided on advanced technologies in order to meet the needs of an industry.

How does the department/ college/University enhance the skills of the faculty and prepares them according to the industry standards? 

To update our teachers with industry standards and inculcate them with new skills, we organise workshops, seminars, and training programs. We also facilitate collaborations and partnerships with industry experts and organisations to expose faculty to real-world practices. Encouraging faculty to engage in research projects and industry-funded initiatives to gain practical experience is a priority for us, along with promoting continuous learning through advanced degrees, certifications, and online courses. We also provide mentorship opportunities for junior faculty members by senior, experienced professors and encourage peer reviews and evaluations to share best practises among faculty.

What are the interventions and approaches you bring in apart from curriculum to train/teach the students? 

We implement practical interventions like hands-on workshops, industry visits, and real-world projects to supplement the curriculum. We also encourage research, foster soft skills, and offer mentorship programs that can enhance students' holistic development. Additionally, organising guest lectures and promoting professional ethics contribute to a well-rounded education.

What valuable advice would you like to the students for them to have a prosperous career ahead? 

I advise students to focus on continuous learning, adaptability to evolving technologies, and maintaining ethical standards. They should seek internships and practical experience, build a strong professional network, and pursue lifelong education. A proactive, resilient attitude will be key to a prosperous career in civil engineering.