Dr. Y. Vijayalata has been working as the Principal of KG Reddy College of Engineering & Technology, Hyderabad since August 2022. She has more than 25 years of teaching experience and 12+ years of experience in research. Dr Vijayalata completed her M.Tech (CS) from Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi and PhD in CSE from JNTU Hyderabad.

She is serving as the vice-chairperson of SAC at the IEEE India Council. She has presented more than 35 papers in international journals and conferences. She has been volunteering at the IEEE Hyderabad section for the past 12 years. She is also a committee member of R10 SAC and SIGHT 2022. She is a recipient of various awards and recognitions.KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology

You held key positions at various prestigious institutions throughout your career. What is that one thing that made you excited and walk with KG Reddy College of Engineering And Technology in the journey?

With over 25 years of teaching and research experience, I've served in various roles, including HOD and Dean. What drew me to KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology was the visionary management and the opportunity for holistic student development. While many premier institutes are dedicated to serving the student community, KG Reddy's unique approach inspired me to take on this role. Our vision aligns with industry needs and emerging challenges, offering abundant opportunities for exploration and growth.

How do you balance the needs of faculty, students, and administration as a Principal of Engineering?

Leadership in this role is challenging, as it requires effective people management. Understanding people's mindsets and identifying their capabilities to support the organization is crucial. Balancing the needs of faculty, students, and administrative staff is a priority task. Additionally, mentoring and teaching while working alongside the team is crucial, and delegating tasks based on expertise is important. It's vital to understand each individual's capabilities and avoid overwhelming them with tasks they cannot handle. Spending time with people to assess their abilities is a common practice in this role.

As a Principal of the school of engineering, what is the USP or what are the differentiating factors that make KG Reddy College of Engineering And Technology stand out from other colleges?

At KG Reddy, holistic development is a key focus, benefiting both students and faculty. We have a centre for Innovation and Social Transformation, partnering with nearby villages to instil a sense of social responsibility in students and faculty. This interaction fosters an emotional connection and awareness of societal issues. Additionally, our Center for Engineering Education offers training for faculty, ensuring they adapt to evolving teaching methods and maintain effective two-way communication with students.

How do you stay current with the latest trends and developments in the field of Engineering and incorporate them into the curriculum and programs offered by KG Reddy College of Engineering And Technology?

KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology received autonomous status in 2021, now in its third batch. Autonomy enables us to introduce value-added courses and establish industry partnerships. We invite industry experts to deliver talks, stay updated on emerging trends, and focus on areas like DevOps. Students take certification courses each semester, recognized by the industry, enhancing job readiness. We maintain strong industry connections through professional bodies, where experts contribute to our curriculum development as board members.

How well is KG Reddy College of Engineering And Technology focusing on maintaining industry relationships with companies in order to leverage them for live projects, training, and placements for the students?

Each department has its own department-specific MOUs, and there are institutional-level MOUs through training and placement. These agreements provide certification programs aligned with job market demand, internships, live projects, and core subject training, such as data structures and DBMS, ensuring comprehensive student development.

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What measures would you take to ensure that KG Reddy College of Engineering & Technology provide a conducive learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure?

Our campus is eco-friendly, hosting numerous technical and cultural clubs for holistic student development. Each club has faculty and student heads who collaborate to plan and execute activities. Students are empowered to design and manage their programs, fostering independence and teamwork. We recognize and reward outstanding achievements, be it in academics, sports, or clubs. We also support student interactions with other institutions through financial assistance, allowing them to gain valuable experiences and share their knowledge. These activities promote team building, enhance communication and leadership skills, and contribute to students' overall growth.

What are the biggest challenges faced by engineering colleges currently, and how do you plan to address them as a principal?

Challenges exist at various levels, including student expectations, curriculum, and job prospects. Students often focus on corporate jobs, especially in software, overlooking other opportunities. Finding core jobs in fields like ECE, mechanical, and civil engineering is difficult. Additionally, communication skills are crucial for job success, regardless of grades. Curriculum changes are limited due to university affiliation. Nonetheless, the institute adapts by offering value-added courses and industry-relevant content. Students' willingness to learn and adapt to these challenges is key, and at KG Reddy, a majority of students are open to these opportunities, making progress possible.

How would you promote experiential learning and practical application of knowledge within the college?

Our Center of Engineering Education focuses on experiential learning through group discussions, team-building activities, and case studies. Students engage with the local community to understand and address real-world issues, fostering a sense of belonging. Faculty at KGRCET actively participate in community service, and we promote active-based learning, role plays, and group discussions. Our students have the freedom to organize activities in technical and literary clubs, and we encourage them to collaborate with neighbouring universities for outreach activities.

What kind of steps KG Reddy College of Engineering And Technology is taking in order to bridge the gap between academia and the real industry world?

We have strong MOUs and professional bodies that play a significant role in our curriculum. Industry experts are invited for about 30 hours of sessions, where they share their experiences and technical knowledge. Professional bodies like IEEE, IEP, and IST connect us to a global network of experts. Our training and placement team focuses on soft skills training, providing continuous improvement. They also maintain close industry connections, ensuring relevant training for both students and faculty. This holistic approach enhances our institute's development.

The number of students taking engineering programs is increasing drastically year on year in India and colleges are also coming up with new specializations. What is your thought on how the scope of engineering is going to be in the future?

I'm involved in various committees and discussions with experts from AICTE and UGC, where we've noticed a challenge in finding specialized faculty for emerging computer science specializations. While we continuously train our faculty to meet these demands, there's a gap in industry readiness to hire in core departments like mechanical and civil engineering. As a result, students often gravitate towards corporate jobs, leading to a scarcity of expertise in core fields in the future. This trend extends to practical skills, as few engineers can handle basic household electrical tasks. The practical application of knowledge is a concern we aim to address.