Dr.M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, HOD (Civil Engineering): Dr T Kavitha Interview

Dr T Kavitha is currently serving as HOD (Civil Engineering) at Dr.M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, Chennai. Having a rich professional experience in teaching as a Lecturer, Assistant Professor and Head of the Department, she has been awarded with ‘Aasiriar Thendral Award’ from Illakiasolai in 2019, and has received Best Performance Award and Certificate of Excellence as well. She has a large number of publications to her credit, beside a book. Moreover, she is a Lifetime member in ICI, and has applied various project proposals to AICTE and STP. 

Being the HOD, what are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

“Flourishing their professional growth and environment”

Being at this responsible post of the department, I manage and guide the student fraternity in such a manner that they are moulded into well-qualified professionals and righteous individuals for a lifetime. Being empathetic towards the students helps in building a healthy relationship with them as well as ensure discipline, and creates a harmony in the department. 

How do you try to bring in a practical approach towards subjects?

“Industrial training on campus and outside”

We ensure that we are on par with the current industry trends. Hands-on practical training sessions are regularly conducted for the benefit of students. The students are made to undergo industry training and internships periodically. They are also taken to Industrial Visits. In case of any opportunities abroad for training, the department is taking all the initiatives to send the students and faculty members to undergo the training there.

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

“Adding valuable inputs and assessments”

The curriculum and syllabi have been innovatively modified as per the latest norms prescribed by AICTE. We also have regular internal quality assessments done and the revised syllabi and curriculum are put forward for scrutiny by an expert panel for approval and implementation. In our curriculum, we have added subjects to improve their soft skills and technical skills. In addition to that, we are arranging many Industrial visits and Internship programmes as well. 

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

“Regular guidance and opportunities for upskilling students”

The department has encouraged students to pursue internships during vacations. The department regularly encourages the students to compete in external competitions such as symposiums, paper presentations, and idea and innovation contests. The students are allowed to take up research projects in any expert institutions like CSIR, CMRL, etc. for which they are certified by that company/institute for carrying out the project under their guidance and supervision. Orientation courses are given to the students to understand the scope of higher education. We also arrange interactive sessions with our alumni who have pursued higher education from premier institutions. We have also sent the students abroad to attend winter and summer school programmes. It will help the students to gain confidence to face the outside world. 

How do you tend to enhance the skills of the students?

“Organizing additional academic and non-academic programs”

Students’ involvement in extracurricular activities plays an integral role in the collegiate experience. Extracurricular activities provide a setting to become involved and to interact with other students, thus leading to increased learning and enhanced development. Specifically, a student’s peer group is the most important source of influence on a student’s academic and personal development. We are encouraging the students to participate in sports, NSS, Cultural events, etc. Also, we implement different pedagogy tools like webinars, crossword puzzles, model making, etc. to improve the teaching-learning methodologies.

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

“Maintaining a good academic rigor and addressing students”

Due to time-consuming and complex academic operations, faculty have to spend their time on a trivial activity that doesn’t include anything to teach. Also, colleges face challenges in maintaining a prefixed and systematic program, courses, administration and management of exams and curriculum. The communication gap between faculty and students is also a big challenge to address. Nowadays, students are not willing to do hard work, they just want to locate themselves in a white-collar job.

How does the department prepare the faculty as per industry standards?

‘FDPs, training and consultancy projects with industries”

Faculty Development Programmes and other measures are adopted to enhance the skills and qualifications of the faculty. Availability of industry base in surrounding areas, implying scope for collaboration in respect of staff exchange, student internships, joint consultancy and projects prepares the faculty to meet the current technological needs and prepare themselves for industry needs. 

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

“Strong associations and academic orientation”

The greatest strengths of the Department of Civil Engineering are its qualified faculty, an ambient atmosphere for learning, well-established laboratories, etc. We have collaborations with several Professional societies like ICI, ISTE, ISRMTT, etc. Also, we offer outreach programmes, scholarships for meritorious students, updated curriculum, digital department library, women empowerment programmes, construction practices, etc. Moreover, our entrepreneurship orientation, student seminars, conferences, ability to work are at par with global standards. 

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

“Choices are handled, not made”

The best career or job is the one in which you’re using the skills you enjoy. But, not every job needs to address all of your passions. Use every job as an opportunity to learn something new and keep an open mind; you may find that you really enjoy something you never imagined would appeal to you.