Dr. L. Jayahari is a seasoned academician and administrator currently serving as Dean of Research and Development and Professor at KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad. Concurrently, he is also serving as Dean of Student Affairs, HOD and Professor at Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad. Ratified as an Associate Professor by JNTUH in 2017, Dr. Jayahari has accumulated 17+ years of experience in teaching, administration, and research. Holding a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, he has 22 research papers in international journals, one patent, and two research grants to his credit. His leadership roles encompass Dean of Academics, Head of Mechanical Engineering, and NAAC Coordinator. Dr. Jayahari's research interests include formability enhancement in hot conditions and the development of metallic glasses and composite materials for aerospace applications. Committed to education and research excellence, his multifaceted contributions have significantly shaped the academic landscape.

K G Reddy College of Engineering and Technology

What key objectives or missions is the department pursuing to achieve its vision?

The Center for Development in KG Reddy strives to be recognised as a centre of excellence, fostering an ecosystem for research, innovation, and development. Our key objectives include empowering students through increased research activities, encouraging independent and peer-driven projects, and disseminating findings in reputable journals. Additionally, we aim to extend our impact regionally by collaborating with industry partners on projects and theses, promoting innovation and intellectual property rights. Further, we seek partnerships with government and non-government organizations through funded projects to contribute to societal development. To support these initiatives, we provide robust infrastructure, including equipment and capacity-building programs, ensuring a conducive environment for research, development, and innovation. These objectives collectively contribute to our vision of advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics knowledge through strategic partnerships and a commitment to excellence.

How does the department promote and facilitate impactful research activities among faculty members and students?

The department employs a structured approach to promote impactful research activities among faculty and students. Through a weekly mechanism, faculty members, designated as Faculty Research Officers, dedicate six to nine hours in the library or department, focusing on specific research areas. Additionally, collaborative efforts with institutions such as IIIT Hyderabad, IIT Hyderabad, Anurag University and B Ready College allow faculty to leverage shared resources and equipment for collaborative research. This collaborative approach has yielded approximately 200 publications in the calendar year. The department prioritizes infrastructure development, providing leading-edge facilities and securing licenses, including MATLAB and domain-specific tools, to support research endeavours. Notably, the Centre for Nations Social Transformation has secured funding totalling INR one crore 47 lakh rupees from DST and various other sources, emphasizing our commitment to community-driven research and development.

Can you describe the mechanisms for securing research funding and grants within the department?

The department employs a strategic approach to secure research funding and grants, leveraging the expertise of domain-specific doctorates who craft proposals aligned with their respective domains. Faculty members actively focus on submitting proposals to various organizations, aligning their efforts with identified areas of interest. The key mechanism involves integrating funding targets into the goal-setting process. At the beginning of each period, specific targets are assigned, motivating faculty members to secure at least one fund from designated organizations by year-end. This proactive approach ensures the continuous pursuit of research funding opportunities. The department also engages in targeted schemes related to identified interest areas, prompting faculty to develop proposals tailored to these schemes. This systematic approach aligns our research goals with funding opportunities, facilitating the successful acquisition of funds for diverse research initiatives.

How does the department support faculty and student publications in reputed journals and conferences?

The department actively supports faculty and student publications by integrating a strategic approach into the academic curriculum. Students are informed that project outcomes should extend beyond academic achievements, encompassing product development, publications, and potential patents for societal impact. Notably, around 80% of projects, deemed valuable, are transformed into aggregated publications. The department prioritizes the conversion of outstanding projects into patents, thereby recognizing and protecting innovative contributions. Moreover, the department places a strong focus on societal relevance, converting select projects into product development initiatives. External funding is actively sought to support these ventures, further enhancing the practical application of research outcomes.

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How does the department foster and sustain collaborations with external entities?

The department actively fosters and sustains collaborations with external entities through a multifaceted approach. Our collaborations extend to various academic institutions, industry partners, and private universities, forming a diverse network of mutual support. The collaborations are not only limited to academic institutions but also encompass industry stakeholders. Through these collaborations, we aim to achieve mutual benefits, fostering a spirit of cooperation and shared objectives. The department maintains robust relationships with different institutes, ensuring continuous support in terms of resources, expertise, and collaborative initiatives. This collective approach strengthens our collaborative ecosystem, contributing to the overall success of our research and development endeavours. The emphasis remains on building and sustaining relationships based on mutual understanding and shared aspirations.

How does the department encourage continuous learning and skill development among its research faculty?

The department prioritizes continuous learning and skill development among research faculty through a structured approach. We utilize a goal-setting form, where faculty members identify areas for improvement, particularly in the realm of research and publications. For those lacking experience in paper publication, we conduct a comprehensive four-month capacity-building program that focuses on equipping participants with the skills necessary for writing and publishing research papers. Even faculty members already proficient in these areas seize the opportunity to enhance their skills further. We provide access to tools like plagiarism and grammar software to refine English proficiency and ensure the integrity of published work. 

How are students actively involved in research activities within the department?

Students play an integral role in research activities within the department, actively engaged from the early stages of their academic journey. Faculty members pursuing PhDs collaborate with students, guiding them in their research endeavours. Additionally, students benefit from the expertise of faculty members who have completed their doctorates and have established their own research areas. The department emphasizes project-based learning from the outset, with subjects like design thinking, western development, and social innovation in the first year. Through these subjects, students learn the fundamentals of project execution, especially in community-based projects. The projects initiated during these early stages often evolve into major projects, publications, patents, or product development, showcasing the department's commitment to fostering a research-centric learning environment.

What are the current challenges faced by the Research and Development Department, and how are these challenges being addressed?

One of the current challenges faced by the Research and Development Department is the need for increased interest and enthusiasm among faculty members towards R&D activities. The desire to engage in research, publish papers, and secure patents should be a shared goal for every faculty member. To address this, the department is actively fostering a culture of enthusiasm and commitment through capacity-building programs. These programs aim to instil a sense of purpose and motivation, particularly among the younger generation of faculty members. Another challenge lies in the necessity of a substantial number of projects that can actively involve faculty in research initiatives. To tackle this, the department has implemented a goal-setting system to encourage faculty to actively pursue and contribute to research projects. By setting clear expectations and objectives, the department aims to generate a higher number of impactful contributions and collaborations.

What is the vision for the future of research and development at KG Reddy College?

The vision for the future of research and development at KG Reddy College is centred on elevating the quality and quantity of publications among all faculty members, both pursuing and non-pursuing. Currently, we have a commendable presence in quality journals, the Scopus index, and other reputable databases. However, the focus is on further enhancing the quality of our research output. Simultaneously, the department aspires to improve its NIRF rank, emphasizing advancements in innovation and engineering. This strategic vision encompasses a holistic approach, aiming not only for individual faculty achievements but also for enhanced institutional standing. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence, the future of research and development at KG Reddy College is envisioned to be marked by impactful contributions, elevated publication standards, and a prominent position in national rankings.