We scan the evolving Technology Market Place to understand the market requirements, says Principal

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Dr G T Thampi's Principal Thadomal Shahani Engineeirng College talks at length about the key differentiating factors that help the institute to differentiate itself from others offering similar programmes. He goes into detail talking about the career opportunities, initiatives are taken by the institute to help students become industry-ready, and guiding students on how to excel in the curriculum.

Dr Thampi holds a PhD degree in technology and has over 35 years of vast experience in academics with Mumbai University. He is a passionate researcher, has been part of some interesting research and holds interests in Business processes and Re-Engineering in the realm of Engineering Education. Till date, 20 Scholars have been awarded with PhD degree under Dr G. T. Thampi's guidance in multiple Universities. With more than 80 research publications to his credit, he has filed a few patents and published five books.

Read the complete interview below:

Q: What are the three things that your institute is doing that will enable it to differentiate itself from the competition?

A: TSEC has a vision of perpetuating and transcending the processes of contributing to evolving supply chain of human capital for the National Economy and creating entrepreneurs and ‘game changers’ to support a heightened level of economic activities underpinning ever-increasing human aspiration. In alignment to our vision

• We scan the evolving Technology Market Place to understand the market requirements and remain vigilant to the emerging nascent technologies. With a robust feedback mechanism to redesign the focus areas of education and training, we impress upon the learners to develop competencies in the same well in advance before integrating them in the course curriculum.
• We extensively promote the culture of organising and participating in Hackathons to make ‘Coding ‘our institute’s core competency. TSEC has successfully integrated Hackathons as the single most important flagship co-curricular activities in the institute.
• We promote the inculcation and cultivation of emotional integrity among learners through social outreach programs to develop “Empathy for the less fortunate” and to help them develop foot prints at the “Bottom of the Pyramid” of businesses. The programmes are organised to sensitise students towards the needs of the under-privileged and provide a mutually rewarding forum for purposeful communication, interactions and actions.

Q: What are the top three initiatives undertaken by you that are helping your students become more industry ready?

1. Internship: With the culture of internship emerging as an extensive practice across start-ups, industries, and businesses at large across the city and all students undergoing internships of various durations, we have created a system in place to promote these activities amongst all the students starting with the first year to initiate them to “learning while doing “. M/S Internshala is our internship partner who is engaging the highest number of students for internship activities. Our efforts have been appreciated by the statutory authorities like AICTE.

2. Hackathons: As already stated, we promote and have created the culture of coding, resonating with the requirements of the evolving marketplace. Coding competencies are intrinsic for the students to develop an understanding of self-learning of nascent technologies. We have incorporated Hackathons as the single most important co-curricular activity in the institute and successfully organised and participated in such events. Multiple awards have been won by the teams of our students in National level Hackathons.

3. Organising Training programs on nascent/ emerging technologies like Quantum computing and Blockchain, Data Analytics, Full stack Development etc.

Q: What are the key attributes that a student should have to qualify for your Institution and perform well?

A: Apart from qualifying the respective entrance examination in order to get admission at TSEC, aspiring students are expected to have Intellectual and emotional maturity, be goal-oriented and have the capacity to remain focused for the same.

To get top grades in the institution what is more important is hard work and collaborative endeavour are the key to success in any professional educational engagement. Regular and continuous participation in academic activities both in the classroom as well as in laboratories ensures continuity in the learning process. With our emphasis on internship activities starting with the first year to initiate the students to “learning while doing” enthusiastic participation in this activity is fundamental for treading on the path of a successful career. Focused effort in mini projects in every semester, which are part of the curriculum to initiate learners to get exposed to various tools, learn new skills and develop competency in relation to their studies in functional areas, is integral for success in the respective program.

Q: Which programme/s would you say is/are your best? What is it that helps your institution differentiate itself for this programme?

A: With the unfolding of massive opportunities in the Artificial Intelligence sector and our commitment to the supply of Human capital for the nation’s growing economy, we are heavily leaning towards the” Artificial Intelligence and Data Science” branch of study.

Aligning with the aspiration of one and all to build intelligence to their Information technology (Digital)systems, and understanding the gravitation of the marketplace, TSEC is heavily invested in the realm of the “Artificial Intelligence and Data Science” branch of study.

Independent of our focused effort on the aforementioned branch of study, other programs are equally in a buoyant state. Due to central governments’ push for manufacturing through the “Production Linked Incentives” scheme, Electronics and Telecommunications, and Chemical engineering branches are going to be the biggest beneficiary.

Q: What are you doing to improve/drive better campus placements for your current students and alumni? What kind of jobs routinely come to campus? What would you say are the key recruitment trends for your college (observed over the past five years)?

A: TSEC has an exceptional record of successful placement of its graduating students in prominent organisations as well as facilitating them for higher studies in the Post Graduate program of choice, in India and abroad. TSEC is having a strong association with industries around Mumbai, multinational, transnational enterprises and more than 90 enterprises offer campus placement for our graduates.

Measures for placement activities:

1. Proactive monitoring, guidance and steering by the Head of the Institute, the Principal, himself of all the placement activities acknowledging the significance of placements as an important aspect of professional outcome-based Education.
2. Engaging and involving the most efficient team in the placement coordination committee.
3. Pre-Placement Orientation for the students.
4. Maintaining Accreditation by NBA and also seeking from NAAC.
5. Consistent NIRF ranking.
6. Promoting and accentuating coding culture among learners.