Dr. T. Srinivasa Rao is the Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Vasireddy Venkatadri Institute of Technology. He has done Ph.D. in 2015 from JNTU, Kakinada. He has a total of 23 years of teaching experience. He has published over 22 papers in international journals out of which 10 are SCI. His areas of interest include Experimental Gas Dynamics, Jet Control Techniques, Thermodynamic Analysis of Power Cycles and Refrigeration Cycles, Flow Visualization Studies for Low-speed and High-speed Flows, Alternate Fuels for I.C. Engines, etc.

Vasireddy Venkatadri Institute of Technology

Being a HOD, what are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

I make sure that our department achieves the highest possible standards of excellence in all its activities and maintain the general discipline of the students and staff of the Department. I maintain the smooth functioning of the department and ensure consistent provision for academic ambiance and responsible for designing the regulations, curriculum, and syllabi.

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

I feel establishing healthy relationships with students and fellow faculty members is crucial for creating a positive and productive academic environment. I treat students with respect and dignity and Listen to their opinions and concerns, and acknowledge their individuality. I encourage students to ask questions and seek help when needed. I maintain a positive and optimistic attitude with faculty Positivity can be contagious and contribute to a healthier work environment. I encourage faculty to attend conferences, seminars, and workshops to network with colleagues from other institutions.

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

I try to bring in a practical approach towards subjects by arranging timely industrial visits. I ensure that the curriculum is aligned with industry standards and requirements and update the course content regularly to keep it relevant. I frequently interact with experts from industry to know their needs. I also discuss with the teaching fraternity from premiere institutes to abreast myself of the emerging trends in both teaching and technology.

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

The department conducts frequent Guest lectures by experts from reputed institutions and industry. We conduct training programs in association with industries and various technical competitions are also conducted on a regular basis. We also design a curriculum that emphasizes the development of both technical and soft skills relevant to the field and encourage students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenario.

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

We strategize the curriculum by keeping the industry requirements and competitive exams in view. Every academic year, we try to update the curriculum. Every three years we come up with a revised curriculum. The design in the curriculum to be adaptable to changes in the field. We also Incorporate flexibility that allows for the integration of emerging technologies and industry best practices.

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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 offers workshops and seminars on career development topics, including jobvsearch strategies, networking, and building a professional online presence. We collaborate with industry partners to offer internships, guest lectures, and mentorship opportunities. We conduct special classes for GATE examination to prepare students for higher education and to get job in PSU’s. We also have student chapter through which we can encourage the students to organize different technical and non-technical events also.

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

Our senior faculty members often interact with students to enable them to tackle the pressure in competition. We create awareness on the industry expectations and encourage students to acquire the necessary skills and guide them choosing the right career path and creating a plan to achieve their objectives. We provide professional career counselling services that help students identify their strengths, interests, and career goals.

Do you have any extracurricular activities/ programs to enhance the skills of the students or expose them to the real-world challenges?

We conduct various extracurricular activities like public speaking, essay writing, group discussion etc. In this connection a student chapter SAME (Student Association of Mechanical Engineering), IEI & ISHRAE was also started. Our department provides undergraduate research opportunities to the students and they collaborate with faculty on research projects. Research involvement enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

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

Especially in our department, the students with higher EAMCET ranks joins We are facing a real challenge to impart knowledge to relatively slow learners. They also are a little demotivated as ME is not their first choice. We ensure that faculty members stay current with evolving industry trends and teaching methodologies can be a challenge.

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

I joined the college in 2012. Since then, my vision has been to see all my students to be in a good position and successful in their lives. To achieve this, I encourage them to have their personal goals set in their second year itself.

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

Because of more interaction with industry, we understand the needs of industry and curriculum is designed accordingly. Many emerging trends of the industry and the evolving technologies are added in the curriculum to the maximum possible extent. We are Incorporating internships into the curriculum which allows students to gain hands-on experience and apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings.

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

Our faculty members regularly attend various faculty development programs, workshops, and short-term training programs. We adopt the mentoring system where senior faculty members guide the junior faculty. We also encourage faculty to participate in curriculum development and revision processes. The faculty involvement ensures that the curriculum aligns with industry standards and evolving needs.

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

We make students involved in practical application of knowledge. The department conducts various workshops to give hands-on experience to the students. In this process, they learn many things. We create leadership development programs and opportunities for students to assume leadership roles in clubs, organizations, and projects. Leadership experiences build confidence and leadership skills.

What do you see the department’s/ college’s greatest strengths and how it can be enhanced?

My strength of department is the team of very well experienced and responsible faculty members who put their heart and soul for the benefit of the students. We develop a strategic plan that capitalizes on these strengths. We also set clear objectives and strategies for further enhancing and leveraging these strengths.

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

My advice for the students is always to have a proper goal in life. Unless a proper goal is set, it is difficult to have a prosperous career. They should have perseverance and persistent efforts to achieve the goals set. Stay current with technology trends relevant to your field. Technology is a driving force in many industries. Maintain high ethical standards in your professional conduct. Trust and integrity are invaluable assets.