National Engineering College

Dr.K. Kalidasa Murugavel is the Principal of National Engineering College, Thoothukkudi. He carries an academic experience of 34 years. He has 28 international publications of repute. He is also on the reviewer panel for leading International journals. 

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

“It makes us a life-long learner”

The key factors that keep me connected with the education sector are being able to learn new things every day and passing down my knowledge and experiences. This will help them in acquiring new skills and bringing a change in the society with the help of the same. 

What is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

“Always working to provide the right solutions”

My philosophy of leadership is focusing on solutions as a leader. All leaders encounter challenges or problems. This is true in all organizations. The way in which we think about these challenges and handle the problems plays a major role in success. As a leader, I take these challenges as opportunities and feel interested in dealing with it. I don’t focus on the problems. Instead, I will work to develop unique solutions. It also helps my team members to practice the same.

In your experience what can an inbound student gain from studying here in your college?

“Adapting to the international model to get the best of both worlds”

In our college, we follow being at par with the international education system. We have adopted a standard, flexible and friendly educational practice. We follow a hybrid or blended learning process. The physical classrooms are supported by virtual classrooms for each course. They can learn, interact, and do the assessment online. Students can assess the learning materials, listen to the video/live lecture, interact with faculty and friends, and participate in assessment any time, from anywhere through a virtual classroom. We facilitate the student to finalize their career objectives during the first year itself through mentoring. Based on their career objective, they plan their academic activities for the program during their stay on the campus. Mentors continuously monitor the progress of the students and assure the attainment of the career objective.

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How does the curriculum of the National Engineering College ensure the best practice of the industry?

“Closely connected with the industry and its functioning”

As per the industry requirement, we dynamically bring changes in the curriculum. During the design and revision of curriculum, industry experts from different domains are involved. We have one credit course and an industry-relevant elective course in all disciplines handled by industry experts or adjunct faculties from industries. As a part of the curriculum, every student is sent for a 14 days internship at the industry. We have an industry collaborated lab, business incubator, product development centre for different departments. Through these facilities, students are getting hands-on training and collaboratively working with industry experts. Normally students are getting placed in their 7th semester and going for an internship in the same company where they got placed. 

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

“Helping the students in becoming what they desire to be”

For the college, my role includes establishing a state of art laboratories and research facilities. To improve industrial collaborative activities leading to consultancy, new product development, technological development, new patents and producing first-generation start-up entrepreneurs are among the other responsibilities. Coming to the students, I aim to establish a friendly learning environment for the students. I work to understand the needs and objectives of individual students and accordingly facilitate competency to achieve their objectives. 

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

“To sync the curriculum with the industry requirements”

Providing industrialized education will be the topmost priority of the education sector from my perception. This type of education approach will help us to make the students ready for the industrial scenario easily.

When you first came to National Engineering College, what was your vision for the university? Has it evolved, and how far along in implementing that vision are you?

“Maintain the quality of education that the college has always delivered and dreamt of”

My vision is comparatively the same as the vision of our college which is transforming lives through quality education and research with human values. Therefore my first and foremost priority is to achieve my college’s vision in a proper way. 

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Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and aspiring students?

“Have a defined set of plans and objectives for the desired success”

The students should be strong in their career objectives. At the time of joining a professional degree course, if they are clear with their career objectives, they can plan the academic and other related activities during the program of study and 100% achieve the objective. This will enable them to have a successful professional career.