Dr. D. Chitra is presently working as Professor & Head, Department Of Computer Science & Engineering at PA College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore. Putting her 21 years of experience in teaching and research, she has received many national level awards and recognitions including GOLD partner faculty award under Inspire, 2017. She has published 5 patents, 103 papers in International and National Journals and Conferences, and 6 national books for her credit. Also, she is a Life Member of ISTE, CSI, IEEE, IAETSD, IRED and IAENG, and has served as a member in advisory for various conferences and reviewer of 05 international journals as well. 

PACET

What are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

“Plans, executes and monitors student welfare”

For students, I ensure Quality, Maintenance, Cleanliness and Culture in the department so that they retain the best of their knowledge. Also, I organize need based workshops, seminars, symposia, industrial visits and excursions etc. and invite guest speakers for interaction and guidance to UG/PG students. To guide the students for career opportunities and assist with student complaints and grievances is my responsibility being the head of the department. 

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

“Mentoring and supervising faculty”

I always promote their strengths and have a positive attitude towards my colleagues and fellow faculty. I facilitate interaction and collegial spirit among the department faculty incorporating good behaviour and easy workflow. I assist my faculty in providing a quality educational experience for students full of passion and enthusiasm, and build good relations with students as well. 

What best practices do you offer that help students gain necessary skills?

“Efficient industrial training and effective evaluation process”

The department follows an outcome-based education by developing course plans with objectives and outcomes. The curriculum gaps are plugged through design-based experiments, additional labs other than the curriculum and evaluated systematically through different assessment tools. Regular training and placement is imparted in the area of communication skill, aptitude and technical skills to the students to make them employable. The department also encourages students to pursue internships during the vacations and acquire necessary problem-solving skills. In addition, a unique counselling process is followed wherein each faculty is allocated 20 students as a Proctor with an objective to constantly follow student progress and accordingly suggest changes in case of any deviation.

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How do you strategize the curriculum to make it befitting for the students?

“Rockshielding the protocols for full fledged development”

We follow a very clear and defined perspective when it comes to curriculum designing and implementation: 

  • Principles and purpose – Set out the intent of the curriculum
  • Entitlement and enrichment – Develop pupil entitlement
  • Breadth and balance – Curate the content of the curriculum
  • Teaching narrative – Plan the delivery of curriculum
  • Resources – Source high-quality resources to deliver curriculum
  • Review periodically and evaluate – Decide what works well and where there is room for improvement.

How does your department prepare students for Higher education?

“Providing work-integrated learning opportunities”

To get students out into the real world, we facilitate students to identify their aptitude for learning and the course they want to pursue. Then, we guide students in the various procedures involved in getting admission to various Universities in India and abroad. The department has also launched an ‘Alumni Portal’ to connect with the alumni and utilize their services like Guest Lectures, Internship opportunities, placements, etc. for counselling and mentoring of students. We always guide and coach our students in taking up various competitive examinations like CAT, MAT, GATE, GMAT, SAT, GRE, TOEFL and civil services. The department regularly encourages the students to compete in external competitions such as tech fests, conferences, workshops and innovation contests to help them explore the opportunities and scenarios. 

How do you help your student to cope up with the high competition outside?

“Improving and elevating the relevant skill set”

We prefer to develop among our students the valuable skill set that would help them in future challenges and competitions globally. We involve them in teamwork and collaboration activities so that they can enhance their social and emotional learning along with leadership. Developing various academic and co-curricular competitions help increase intrinsic motivation and help beneficial peer comparisons as well. Also, facilitating growth mindsets and building mental toughness is vital to face the world and its challenges. 

What challenges do you face to uplift the quality of education of your department?

“Heading different learning mindsets and needs”

Balancing diverse learning needs of students is a major challenge here that we are overcoming with our defined curriculum and expert faculty. Also, sometimes lack of parental support becomes an obstacle in a student's learning and mindset. Apart from this, changing educational trends, discipline among students, differentiating and personalizing teaching and redundant teaching techniques are few challenges we face with different students at a time. 

How does the curriculum of your department ensure the best practice of the industry?

“Commitment towards student learning”

With the advanced teaching methodology, students are exposed to maximum practical learning and our placement team is very strong to build industry-ready students. We constantly update our curriculum according to industry developments and continuously research and take feedback from the industry experts on the changes. The curriculum is carefully reviewed by the Board of Studies and approved by an expert panel of the Academic Council before coming into action. Professional knowledge and practice, leadership in learning communities and ongoing professional learning are a part of the curriculum to enhance student as well as faculty skills. 

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What valuable advice would you like to give to the students for a prosperous career?

“Embrace failure and be a team player”

Venture outside of your comfort zone. Cultivate perseverance and set realistic goals for yourself. Remember that a job doesn’t give your life meaning because every job will have unexpected inconveniences. Find a mentor, and be a mentor. Work harder than those around you. Failure is a path and not a destination. Never stop chasing your dreams.