Dr T A Shahul Hameed is the Principal of TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala. He has 22+ years of teaching experience in this institute and is a passionate educationist. He also has 8 years of industrial experience in the United Arab Emirates and India. He has completed his Ph.D., M.Tech and B.Tech from renowned technology institutions. He has more than 60 publications in peer-reviewed journals and is a member of the Board of Governors at AKTU. His areas of research interest include Organic Devices, Quantum Devices, Device Modeling, Mixed-signal circuits and Signal Processing. He has previously served as Dean-Student Affairs, Dean-Administration and Professor in TKMCE.

TKM College of Engineering

What do you think should be the institute's top priority over the next 10 years?

“To have academic autonomy and provide value-based education to our learners”

We have a legacy of more than 60 years. Our’s is an affiliated college and aided by the government. We are in the process of becoming an autonomous institution. In line with the new education policy of the Govt, we are planning several student-centric changes in our operations. Implementing academic autonomy with the highest quality is our topmost priority in the next 10 years.

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

“Be a guide, mentor and friend to all learners”

As a head of the institution, my roles and responsibilities are to go in unison with the changing time. We have 4000+ students and around 500+ staff members in our institute. I have to lead the college towards modern avenues without compromising the quality. As a government aided college, it has various democratic forums and everyone has their own rights. My responsibility is to uphold the rights without compromising on the discipline of the college and ultimately serve society with uprightness. 

What is the latest program that you are offering for students' benefit?

“Courses that equip them with current trends of AI and Machine Learning”

Our college has started an immersive program in Artificial Intelligence with a small intake of 18 seats. We have built a state-of-the-art lab for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for projects. This is one of the key changes we have done during the pandemic imposed lockdown. When the students come back to campus, they will get access to the above mentioned labs and facilities. 

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What are the types of projects that the students work on?

“Consultancy projects in the civil engineering department are a highlight of our college”

There have been excellent consultancy projects in structural engineering, transportation engineering and water resource engineering at our institute. Many student projects are linked with these consultancies. We have MOUs with different PSUs like Kerala Water Authority, Kerala State Electricity Board and students work closely with them for different projects. Our students publish the projects in different magazines and several UG projects are published in scopus indexed journals as well. We have an Entrepreneur Development cell for students who are not keen on higher education or placements and have entrepreneurial skills. The projects of students will be aided by this cell. 

How does the program ensure that students are being prepared for the future?

“Preparing them with AICTE driven flagship programs and activities”

AICTE has started a flagship program of making an idea lab and 49 colleges are selected pan India. We were selected based on the concept provided by us. This idea lab will take us to new avenues in this new academic year. We will build an idea lab that will be a modern space for innovation. This is the most recent highlight of our institution.

We are the only government aided institution in Kerala to have a RUSA grant and a 2 Crores grant for creating an interdisciplinary research lab. It will be a great avenue for student to carry out their research and innovation projects. 

How did you train faculty to deliver this program to the students?

“Government enabled FDP’s are regularly organized for our faculty members”

Our college has the highest faculty retention rate. It is the college’s responsibility to give faculty the best training programs periodically. 45% of our faculty are Ph.D. holders from different premier institutions of the country. We motivate our faculty to undergo government-induced quality improvement programs. We are part of the TEQIP program by the government and are entitled to organize faculty development programs. 

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Any suggestions you would like to give to the aspiring students?

“I implore them not to be disheartened due to the pandemic and be open to new opportunities”

These are challenging times that we are facing. Students are probably undergoing the toughest period in their life. But, there will be exciting opportunities in the coming days. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and all is not dark. So, wait for the different opportunities to come your way and be broadminded.