IFET COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - [IFET], VILLUPURAM, Principal: Dr. G. Mahendran Interview

Dr. G. Mahendran is the principal of IFET College of Engineering, Villupuram. He joined this Institute in Dec 2011 as Dean and rose to the position of Principal in Oct 2013. He has to his credit several publications/presentations in the National & International journals/symposia.

Recognized supervisor for guiding Ph.D. under Anna University & Sathyabama University in the area of Joining of materials. He is also coordinating the NBA accreditation process for Engineering programs in this institution. He obtained his B.E. in Mechanical & Production, M.Tech in Advanced Manufacturing, and Ph.D. from Annamalai University, Chidambaram. He has a teaching experience of 17 years.

What are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

“Providing students with a highly disciplined environment”

To ensure that the students are brought up with no compromise on discipline and hard work. I ensure that the right procedures are followed, and the highest possible quality of education is provided to the students. I take care of the curriculum and its implementation. I look after the query addressal from the students and faculties related to academics.

How do you strategize key plans for the marketing and administration of your school?

“Utilising the power of Digital and Online Marketing”

Being the principal, I aim to ensure that the communication is uniform. I always try to make sure that there is no gap in the communication. Our institute utilizes the power of digital and online marketing to reach maximum students. We exploit every possible medium online for reaching the students and marketing our courses.

What are some valuable insights into the program that you are offering at your college?

“Continuously updating the Curriculum by following the strategy”

The programs in our college are dynamic when compared to any other competition. Being an Autonomous institution, we have the liberty to tweak the curriculum based on the ever-changing requirements of the world. We are updating the curriculum and syllabi every year to match the industry needs of the students. Thus, we stand apart from every other institution.

Check IFET College of Engineering Courses & Fees

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

“Providing Students with online interactive classes”

Listening to them and doing the needful for redressal of grievances if any. Motivating the students and the faculty and honoring their achievements. Encouraging all-around development by promoting sports, cultural activities, and participation in competitions, paper presentations. Timely counseling for students in need.

Have you introduced any new programs at your college? 

“Providing students with AICTE new courses like AI”

IFET has recently applied for the introduction of new courses which are suggested based on the currently growing trends and requirements. We have applied to AICTE for the introduction of new courses in current technologies like AI. We have also introduced elective subjects to suit the current needs of industry and provide choices to the students based on their field of interest.

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

“To create more international relationships and provide world-class facilities”

The college's top priority in the coming years is to create more international relationships and get faculty from all over the world to teach international courses. The college wants the R&D activities to be conducted in the college and have closer ties with the industry. This way the college can become a technology hub in the coming years.

Please tell us more about the Placements at your institution last year? 

“Providing Students with 100% Placement Assistance”

The placements are going well in the college. IFET believes in providing more “Hands-on” experience for the students which is coupled with industry visits and industrial projects. Through these practices, we can provide the best practices for the same. We are seeing a year-on-year improvement in the placement stats for the college.

Last Year Placement figures for reference are below:

• 87% of students got placement
• 167 students are placed in high package companies (3.25 to 11.5 Lakhs per annum)
• 300 students are placed in 3 lakhs per annum.

How do you guide your students to survive in such a competitive scenario?

“Providing Students with multi-disciplinary skills and hands-on experience”

We are imparting multi-disciplinary skills and problem-solving skills to the students. We are providing hands-on experience to the students so that when they go out in the real world they are ready to face the expectations. We equip them with the best quality education and experience. We are an autonomous institution empowered to update curriculum and syllabi every year to meet current industry needs through job-driven courses. There we ensure the best courses as required by the industry.

Click IFET College of Engineering Placements

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

“Discipline and hard work will ensure a Prosperous career”

My advice to the students is that “Discipline and hard work will ensure a Prosperous career”. There is no substitute for hard work and discipline will help you align to your goals and help you achieve them.