Dr. S. Subbaraj is the Principal of T. J. Institute of Technology. Along with a B.E. and an M.E., he also possesses a PhD degree as well. He has worked at renowned institutes such as PRIST University, Sri Rangapoopathi College of Engineering, and Loyola Institute of Technology in positions ranging from Assistant Professor and Principal to Director.

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You have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

There are numerous factors that keep me connected with academia. There is a spirit of continuous learning and I get to update my knowledge with the current technology, which helps to grow me professionally and personally. I have a desire to educate and motivate students to think innovatively and to achieve their professional goals. We also focus on outcome based education, which involves having clear goals, a customized learning experience, practical application, assessment for growth, and student empowerment.

Being the Principal of T J Institute of Technology, what is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

As the Principal, my philosophy of leadership is to be at the front. I lead from the front by taking action, demonstrating what needs to be done, and keeping my team organized. I try to give each person a chance to do what they are best at and create a team effort that delivers a better result.

Being the Principal of T J Institute of Technology, how do you strategize about the key programs and plans for the marketing and administration of your college?

Strategizing key programs and plans requires a lot of effort from numerous people. For the process, I make it a point to feature our successful alumni and entrepreneurs, our students and faculty and take their opinions for the plans. To attract the best talent and minds, I feature our beautiful campus and explain our past placement activities and our recruiting companies.

The education systems in India and other foreign countries are structured very differently. In your experience, what can an inbound student gain from studying here in your institute?

In today’s world, there are a lot of technological advancements and industrial progress which gives engineering students immense opportunities. At the same time, there is severe competition in the industry. Therefore, the four years in college become very important for students. It is the best time to nurture themselves as good professionals and aim for the best placements and for higher studies with scholarships.

How does the curriculum T J Institute of Technology ensures the best practice of industry?

Our college has set up an Industry Advisory Board to establish strong industry connections and conduct workshops such as MDP, and FDPs in collaboration with the industry. They also provide suggestions for process improvement as well as curriculum improvement. We have also launched an Alumni Portal to connect with the alumni and utilize their services, like guest lectures, internship opportunities, placements, etc., Regular training and placement are imparted in the area of communication skills and aptitude to the students to make them employable. The college has encouraged students to pursue internships during vacations and acquire necessary problem-solving skills. We regularly encourage the students to compete in external competitions as well.

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Any insights into how your college could be more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

Students who are the first in their family to enter higher education join a rarified and often mystifying culture of rules, rites, and rituals. A first-generation working-class college student who became a faculty member offers their insights and recommendations after forty years in the academy. We must change the campus environment to be inclusive so that privileged students are encouraged to understand and appreciate the values reflected in poor and working-class students’ ways of life. Moreover, we are providing scholarships for first graduates and meritorious students.

What do you think your roles and responsibilities to the College and the students are?

My duty is to provide strategic direction in the college system. We develop standardized curricula, assess teaching methods, monitor student achievement, encourage parent involvement, revise policies and procedures, administer the budget, hire and evaluate staff and oversee facilities. Thus, we concentrate not only on the curriculum but also on developing skill sets, core competence and positive attitudes among students to enable them to attain leadership in technical and management education.

What do you think should be the College’s top priority over the next 10 years?

It is the vision of the institution to set high standards of ‘Quality Education’ by developing and guiding the students towards ‘Innovation and Excellence.’ We will be providing the right skill set, and instil confidence and a sense of responsibility in our students, making them not only employable but also robust to contribute effectively for the welfare and development of our country.

When you first came T J Institute of Technology, what was your vision for the college? Has it evolved over time, and how far along in implementing that vision are you?

It was our vision to provide our students with a secure, nurturing and proactive team of support that included staff and meaningful parent involvement. We believe frequent interactions with the parents about the student’s academic performance would help the students to develop their academic skills and better performance. We have strategies and plans for the students regardless of their present level of learning to make them entrepreneurs, research scholars, academicians and innovators. Our college should be a place where all students experience success, build self-esteem and make great academic gains. To make learning a joyous and interesting process that leads to successful living and has a positive impact on the students’ community and their families.

What would you like people to know about your college they may not know?

Our college is located on a sprawling campus in a tranquil atmosphere amidst greenery at Rajiv Gandhi Salai (Old Mahabalipuram Road), Karapakkam. We are just 6 km from TIDEL Park and are adjacent to Cognizant Technology Solutions. The campus is situated well within the heart of the Chennai Metropolitan City limits. The colleges have their transport facilities for commuting students from all parts of Chennai City.