Mr. G. Prathap is the Head of the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at the Viswam Engineering College. He is a distinguished academician and able administrator with more than 13 years of experience. He has grown from the ranks, starting his teaching career as an Assistant Professor before assuming the position of HOD. He was the Assistant Professor at Naryandri Institute of Science and Technology, Rajampet.

Mr. Pratap is presently pursuing his PhD at Bharatiya Engineering Science and Technology Innovation University. He obtained his master’s degree from Annamacharya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Kadapa. He has published ten research papers in various reputed national and international journals and has a couple of patents to his credit. In his impressive teaching and administrative career, he has consistently promoted innovative teaching practises and imaginative thinking.

Viswam Engineering College

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

As the Head of the Department, my roles and responsibilities are multi-faceted. My primary responsibility is to ensure that the department runs smoothly and that a consistent academic environment is provided. I also work to inspire all departmental employees and students so that they can receive knowledgeable instruction in the field in a productive, upbeat setting.

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

To establish healthy relations with the students and fellow faculty members, we try to get to know their stories. Any relationship is meaningless if you don't know "who" or "where" they are from. We consult with students, both in and outside of class. The best approach to communicating with someone is to talk to them and actually listen. We try to prioritise the children over the topic. Most effective teachers already do this but one must ensure that the learner is aware of this reality. We have incorporated games to promote teamwork and critical thinking. Games are entertaining, and having fun with others releases dopamine, which enhances learning. Games are not just a source of dopamine but also establish 'socialization'' and kinship among the students.

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

Everyone has at some point considered becoming an engineer. My situation, however, is quite different because I never wanted to be when I was at school. I experienced a transformation, though, and I'm now a content engineer. This is what I sought to bring to my students as well. One of the top job options today for science majors is engineering. However, it is increasingly becoming difficult to stand out in the marketplace and land the right jobs. To land a decent job at a respectable company, students must be exceptionally adaptable, talented, and well-trained. An engineering student can't make mistakes, which is possible through practise and constant upskilling.

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

Students who develop their learning abilities will do better in school and in their future employment. Students' abilities can help them develop their capacity for original thought, complex problem-solving, and successful classroom communication. These abilities might be listed on a resume to highlight a student's talents for potential employers. A lot of these student talents are applicable to many other occupations. For instance, a student can employ communication skills at work and in many academic settings.

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

We start out by describing our mission, goals, and the concerns of the students. Thereafter, we find the resources to help us achieve our goals. We aim to create experiences and facilities that help students achieve their goals. We put a lot of effort into gathering and creating materials, strategies, tactics, and procedures that are regularly updated as well. 

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?

There are several difficulties in the work market today. A university's well-equipped placement office is aware of this and prepares the students accordingly so they can be hired by elite businesses and receive competitive pay packages. In their final year of study for their degree, students participate in a variety of carefully organized workshops, lectures, mock interviews, and other activities led by professionals in their respective fields. Our university's training and placement cell conducts essential activities such as group discussions, personal interviews, resume and cover letter advice, and interview preparation assistance for students.

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

One of your most important duties as a teacher is to motivate your kids to study and to genuinely love school. Learning anything can be hard if students do not enjoy it. It can be challenging to overcome it. We offer internships and opportunities for students to work with companies before they are placed. They also attempt case studies and projects in a bid to practise their knowledge and learn about some real-world situations. Our students also go through numerous trainings and workshops where they can interact with industry experts as well.

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

The value of extracurricular activities for college is important for the success of not just the students but also the college. We do offer several extracurricular activities at our college that students can pick and choose based on their wishes and abilities. We have sports competitions, annual days and more. The students get to work on all aspects of these events, from planning to execution. On the way, they get to pick up numerous skills that are valuable for them to work in the industry.

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

India is a country where transformation comes with many difficulties. All of us have adjusted to the circumstances that have been given to us. New and enhanced procedures frequently draw criticism and condemnation. However, as more and more people become conscious, the times are changing. Everyone now has access to media that allows them to judge what is good or bad for them, what is legal or illegal, what is real or untrue, what is required or unnecessary, and, of course, where there is quality and where there is no quality. But there are still many obstacles for new students to overcome in order to receive a great education, particularly in India.

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

Our curriculum committee evaluates and suggests courses and programmes that adhere to the rules and regulations established by the academic senate, either through direct recommendation to the board or mutual agreement with the board. Although the board generally relies on the senate for other curricular policies and processes, there is mutual agreement on the composition of the curriculum committee.

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

Throughout their careers, professors who are expected to interact with undergraduates should receive assistance and mentoring. The hiring methods should offer a first chance to communicate an institution's teaching ideals and expectations to faculty. We need to think about how to use thorough assessment systems to give faculty feedback or information about their performance, along with suggestions for future development.

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

Interventions are frequently used to refer to targeted teaching sessions in educational contexts that depart from standard teaching methods. One-on-one or group interventions can be given in classrooms. A teacher or teaching assistant will have carefully developed the program's objectives based on a crucial area of need. For instance, units of time in math or inference in reading. Interventions are frequently used to support children with SEND and should be administered in conjunction with quality teaching.

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

Our teaching staff has extensive experience, has a commitment to research, and is highly enthusiastic and dedicated to their profession. Our non-teaching and lab staff, along with our brand-new building and well-maintained infrastructure, are additional strengths. We have a favourable environment for learning and teaching that is supported by a large library. Our intelligent classrooms and fully-stocked labs have encouraged our students to perform well in their university examinations. We have a straightforward admissions process and also have major and minor research endeavours by faculty. We have journal articles published in databases like Scopus, Web of Science, and Research Fellowship too.

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

I would like to advise students to look for internship openings while they are studying. Participate in a work-study program, if possible and look for all ways to increase your knowledge and abilities. Start your day early and keep your knowledge and skills current. Maintain your attention and always strike a balance in your private life.