Dr. Neha Soni is the Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Engineering at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Technology (SVIT), Vasad, Gujarat. She has experience of 21 years in academics, research and administration. She has developed the Student Registration and Fee collection module for SVIT, which was successfully deployed in 2013 and is still in use. She has also developed “SVIT CMS” – an ERP for SVIT and corresponding android based application for the students of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Technology, available on Google Play Store. Her subjects of interest are Data Mining, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Information Security and Digital Fundamentals. 

SVIT Gujarat

What are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

“Achieve highest possible standards of excellence in all the academic activities”

HODs have the primary responsibility of ensuring that all students are receiving the best education possible within their department. Whether it is the conduct of theory or practical sessions or any other co-curricular or extra-curricular activity, I as Head of the Computer Engineering Department strive to achieve the highest levels of excellence in everything we do at our Department. Implementing innovative programs, creating partnerships with industry, and exploring new methods for knowledge transfer are a few of the basic responsibilities of a HOD. 

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

“The class is interactive and positive, promoting maximum learning opportunities”

Teachers play a crucial role in shaping the careers of their students. In the absence of a good student-teacher relationship, productivity and achievement are stifled. During class, we, the computer engineering faculties, create a positive learning environment by interacting with students and teaching an interactive style. Professors are enthusiastic and passionate about teaching. Treat all the students with respect and even go out of the box to make them understand the complex problems. 

What are the best practices offered by the department to the students?

“Group discussion, aptitude test, coding test, and mock interviews”

This department is more focused on developing all the necessary skills in the students in order to prepare them for a successful career. We organize workshops, expert talks, STTPs, industry visits, etc. In addition, we assign industry-driven projects. The Department has established a Software Development Club in which various skill development activities and project work are carried out throughout the year. Group discussion, aptitude test, coding test, personal interview, etc. are organized under a mock placement drive twice in each semester.

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

“Curriculum is frequently revised to include internships and industry-defined problems”

As we are affiliated with Gujarat Technological University (GTU), we follow the teaching scheme and syllabus provided by the affiliated university. University frequently revises the curriculum as per the latest trend, includes internships, industry-defined problems-based projects, etc. Beyond this, we organize industry visits, expert lectures and workshops from industry persons. Even industry-driven projects are assigned to the students.

How does the college enhance the skills of the faculty?

“Rigorous training and qualification improvement programs for the staff”

Quality education is the college's priority. To improve the skills of the faculty, the college promotes qualification improvement programs. For continuous faculty development, the college sponsors faculty to attend FDP, workshops, conferences, symposiums, industry training, etc.

What are the interventions you bring in apart from the curriculum to train the students?

“National level technical fest and an annual function of the college help students in overall growth”

Apart from teaching, co and extracurricular activities are equally important for the holistic development of the students. We organize Prakarsh - national level technical fest, Vision - institute level technical fest, Malhar, an annual function of the college, and Spandan- institute level cultural fest to provide exposure to the students. 

What do you see as the department’s greatest strengths?

“Core strengths are excellent faculty, students, and alumni”

Faculty, students, and alumni are the three main pillars that make up the strength of any Department. All three of these pillars are very strong in our Computer Engineering department. Moreover, we have a high faculty retention rate, since we have experienced, dynamic and dedicated faculty. We have a number of meritorious students in the Department. Over the years, many of our alumni have held very prestigious positions in leading IT companies.

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What valuable advice would you like to the students?

“Dedication, hard work and passion are key factors for future success”

I would like to convey to each student that, whatever you do, do it with passion and interest. It is impossible to achieve success without interest. Have the right attitude, try to focus on the fundamentals and get expertise in any one skill and success will be yours.