Dr. G. Anusha, a luminary in the realm of Civil Engineering, currently serves as the Professor and Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology. Having 16 years of experience, she is a seasoned professional with a profound understanding of the intricacies of Civil Engineering, specializing in water and wastewater treatment, waste management, and industrial water treatment.

Dr. Anusha holds numerous key positions such as Head of the Women Empowerment Cell, Convener of the Industry Institute Partnership Cell, Nodal Centre Coordinator, and roles in committees such as the Building Works Committee and Accreditation Steering Committee. She is also actively engaged in professional societies and is a member of 15 esteemed bodies, including ISTE, the American Society for Civil Engineers, and the International Water Association.

Dr. Anusha’s academic excellence has garnered numerous awards, including the "Young Achiever Award" from IEI, "Women Achiever Award" from IGEN, and "Remarkable Woman Award-2021" from Remarkable Awards, Jaipur. Dr. Anusha's research contributions are evident through her publications, with 31 papers in national and international journals and 29 papers in conferences. As a dedicated researcher, she has been successful in securing a grant of INR 10,00,000/- from AICTE and holds patents on innovative subjects like converting Ficus Exaseperata leaf ash and utilizing e-waste in tile manufacturing. Her impact extends to organizing and attending over 230 workshops where she has served as a resource person, showcasing her commitment to the advancement of Civil Engineering.

KPR Institute of Engineering

What sets a civil engineering student apart from the crowd in comparison to students from other disciplines?

The only field that makes many entrepreneurs is Civil Engineering. Civil engineering is a profession that often inspires individuals to become entrepreneurs and start their own business. Rather than sitting in an AC Room and working, it gives heartfelt satisfaction when you create an AC room for others to sit and work. This can be felt only by a Civil Engineer. The ability to create and shape the physical environment for the benefit of others can indeed be a source of heartfelt satisfaction unique to civil engineers.

What factors contribute to people's reluctance to choose Civil Engineering courses in today's context?

Many people are hesitant to choose Civil Engineering courses due to concerns about limited job opportunities. However, this field uniquely offers the chance for students to launch their start-ups even before completing their degrees. Additionally, a significant number of students are now considering alternative career paths like computer science and data science because these fields appear more appealing due to their potential for higher salaries and increased flexibility. Nevertheless, it's crucial to raise awareness that as civil engineers gain experience, their earning potential surpasses that of many other fields.

What factors make this program the ideal choice for students to pursue?

Civil Engineering is an evergreen field where a variety of jobs are available. The students are free to choose the field that suits them the best. When students excel academically throughout their coursework, gain substantial practical experience over the four-year program, and approach their job prospects with a positive mindset, they are poised to become successful Civil Engineers. Success is attainable when students can effectively manage their work schedules and adapt to the demands of their profession.

What difficulties have emerging civil engineers encountered?

Keeping up with the latest advancements in civil engineering and staying knowledgeable about industry standards and regulations is important. The field is continuously evolving, and emerging engineers need to invest in ongoing education and professional development. Understanding and meeting client expectations can be challenging, as clients may have specific demands and requirements that can vary widely from project to project. However, by regularly updating various software and adopting innovative construction techniques, even the demanding expectations of clients can be effectively met in each project, making it more achievable.

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What advantages and career opportunities can one expect after completing this course?

Completing a Civil Engineering course can open up a wide range of advantages and career opportunities. Civil engineers are in constant demand globally. Infrastructure development and maintenance are ongoing needs, ensuring a steady demand for civil engineering professionals. Civil engineering skills are transferable internationally. You can find job opportunities in various countries, especially if you are open to working on international projects. Civil engineers often enjoy job security, even during economic downturns. Also, there is an opportunity to start one's own civil engineering consulting or construction firm even before completing the degree.

What valuable advice would you like to offer to society regarding Civil Engineering?

This is the only field that gives life to non-living materials like buildings, bridges, dams, etc. Civil Engineers leave a lasting impact wherever they work. It encompasses the entire lifecycle of infrastructure, from conceptualization and design to construction, which are vital for our daily routines, safety, and economic progress. It's imperative to motivate civil engineers to commit to lifelong learning and ongoing professional growth since the field continuously evolves with emerging technologies and methodologies. We should also inspire young students to consider embarking on careers in civil engineering.

What are the types of projects that the students are working on through this program?

The Department of Civil Engineering takes a proactive approach to enhancing students' knowledge by offering several professional chapters such as IEI, ICI, IC-ACI, ASCE, IGBC, and IGS. Through these chapters, students receive valuable training and exposure. Also, our department has established Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with numerous associations, each comprising a membership of 500 individuals. These associations enable students to stay informed about the latest industry trends by arranging guest lectures delivered by industry experts. Furthermore, students benefited from one- credit courses and value-added courses offered by industry professionals.

In addition to these initiatives, our students actively engage in team projects. The students with the guidance of faculty develop innovative products that are subsequently made available to a wide range of schools and industries. We have also established "Experience Engineering" as a platform where students can gain hands-on knowledge about materials and practices in the field.

What will you say are the "best practices” that are being offered in this course?

Each academic subject has a tie-up with two distinct industries. One of these industries facilitates guest lectures for our students, while the other offers field visits to enrich their learning experiences. Each year, we organize approximately 50 guest lectures that cover topics directly related to the subjects being taught. Each faculty member is encouraged to participate in numerous Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) and industry-specific training sessions and acquire proficiency in industry-related software tools and empowering the faculty members with knowledge and skills. We aim to assemble a dedicated team to tackle real-world industry challenges. Consequently, students are finding inspiration in the expertise and commitment exhibited by their faculty mentors. Furthermore, we encourage every faculty member to pursue internships in established industries and share the insights and experiences gained during these internships with our students.