Dr. M. Saravanan is a Professor of the Civil Engineering Department at Marri Laxman Reddy Institute of Technology & Management. He has five years of experience in the teaching field. He has published 16 articles in national and international journals. His areas of expertise include Structural Engineering, Structural Optimization, and Estimation and Valuation. He is a lifetime member of the Indian Geotechnical Society. 

Marri Laxman Reddy Institute of Technology

What is that one thing that made you keep connected to walk with MLRITM in your journey?

The discipline and time management strategies that I learned keep me connected with MLRITM. 

Throughout your career, what have been the most significant developments or changes you’ve witnessed in the field of Civil Engineering?

There are real, practical applications and benefits to modernizing the current processes involved in the industry. Construction companies want to stay competitive and not be left behind. Companies are finding various ways to integrate these advances into their strategy and workflows. These cutting-edge technologies in construction are drastically changing how the industry operates and the way future projects are going to be performed. 

As a professor and HOD, what are your primary goals for the Civil Engineering department at MLRITM and How do you foster a positive and innovative learning environment for your students?

The department will continuously strive to enrich student learning through innovative practices and develop students’ comprehension and expertise in creative methods and strategies, broaden students’ perspective of emerging technologies and tools in academics, contemporary and social issues through innovative strategies. Motivate students to innovatively think, formulate, and perform through different club activities.

How do you collaborate with industries and other academic institutions to provide practical exposure and internships for your students?

Internships are essential for a student’s academic journey due to their ability to provide practical experiences, industry exposure, valuable skills, and career exploration opportunities Practical application enhances understanding of concepts and helps to better the subject matter. The main aim of the internship is to provide an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn from practical experience and solve real-world problems in the workplace, as well as to foster mutually beneficial relationships between the industry and the college. The industry-academia collaborations have become the reason for the rise of blockbuster discoveries over the years and supported a large number of students to go from educational institutions to the corporate world. It has a myriad of benefits for the participants. Here is how this partnership is beyond placements, Develop skills and knowledge – While considering academics, the industry-academia partnership provides a platform for the students to address challenging research questions with real-world applications and helps them to be aware of the tangible impacts of their research while developing new skills, data, or equipment. With industry-academia collaboration, companies improved their business performances by developing new technologies and techniques, while extending the capabilities and expertise available at the firm. The collaboration of industry and academics is advantageous not only for the corporations but also for the students, who avail themselves into the top management colleges and the colleges themselves, that have partnerships with top industries of different fields. 

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What role does sustainability play in the Civil Engineering program at your college, and how do you prepare students for the challenges of sustainable development?

Civil Engineers are at the forefront of designing sustainable infrastructure solutions that minimize environmental impact while meeting the needs of society. They integrate principles of sustainability into every stage of the project, from site selection to construction techniques and material choices. By employing innovative design practices, civil engineers can reduce energy consumption, optimize water management, and enhance overall environmental performance. The Civil Engineering Program at MLRITM offers students a wide range of focus domains and enriching value-added programs in the field of sustainability.

In your experience, what are the common career paths for graduates of the Civil Engineering department at MLRITM?

Civil Engineers are the one whose mind focuses on the construction of magnificent buildings, and fantastic society and ambiances for the people to live. In addition to this, they also look for the construction of roads, towers, bridges, and highways, and provide amenities in society. Hence, we can guess that the demand for civil engineers is going to reach the peak of concern for the growing population. But as a student, certain questions might pop up in your life – Did I choose the right career path? Will I be able to get good opportunities after my degree completion? What should I start with? If the above questions are of your concern, then you are on the right page. Here are some career opportunities for graduates of the Civil Engineering department: CAD Engineer, Government Engineering Jobs, Own Construction Business, Structural Engineer, and Higher studies (M.Tech/M.S).

As an educator and mentor, what are the key skills and qualities you believe are essential for a successful civil engineer in today’s world?

You have to be excellent at Maths as this profession requires calculations. You need to be good in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. Civil engineers should also be good in all the sciences like physics, chemistry, computer science, and biology as they are a part of their work. Civil Engineers need to be good leaders. They have large teams of professionals and skilled workers working for them, and they have to manage them well. Communication Skills. A lot of communication is involved in this profession. From written correspondence to verbal communication, engineers need to be good at communicating everything. Time is the most important factor that dictates the construction industry. Civil engineers have to be excellent with time management to meet stipulated deadlines Civil engineers have to be creative. Along with the right functionality, constructions also have to look good. This is where civil engineers' creative skills come into play.Now that you know what skills are required to be a civil engineer, you should also know that it is important to do civil engineering at a university like Presidency University. We provide the most technologically advanced courses taught by excellent faculty. Get in touch with us at the earliest and our counselors will guide you.

What are your thoughts on incorporating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, or Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the civil engineering curriculum?

This rise in the use of information technology in construction is welcomed and helps with the integration of all information for the diverse range of stakeholders included in the process of design and construction of a building. 

How do you stay personally updated with the latest advancements and research in civil engineering to enhance your teaching and leadership abilities?

Digitization in the construction industry is multi-faceted as it involves digital tools, process automation, and digital project communication. Thanks to the wave of digitization, the immense volumes of data from construction processes are now also being efficiently organized and structured via cloud computing but these developments are not just about collecting, providing, and processing digital data. Social networks, for example, play an equally central role, as all industrial sectors now communicate their activities transparently and digitally. Thus, the digitization of the construction industry defines universal processes on the Internet, ranging from planning and execution to documentation and communication. More efficient, simpler processes in construction: With the help of new process structures, planning and construction projects can be made more transparent, more reliable, and less prone to errors. Software that creates a digital twin of a real building is used for this purpose. Stakeholders use these models to record and manage data and see building changes in real-time. Improve the environmental performance of buildings: Digital models help reduce environmental footprints. Designs are quickly calculated digitally and adjusted just as quickly depending on building requirements. Faster workflows through automated processes: Cloud solutions not only save paper. They are suitable for agile, efficient collaboration in construction projects because they can take over small tasks such as reminders for maintenance processes.

How does your department promote teamwork and collaboration among students to prepare them for real-world project environments?

Civil Engineering students are increasingly expected to work in teams and participate in projects. Teamwork takes work. People have different points of view, skills, and histories. So, when bringing groups together, there is bound to be some tension at times. However, there are ways to improve teamwork skills. Here are 9 ideas for how to improve teamwork: know your goal, clarify your roles, positive mindset, manage time efficiently, share enthusiasm, exercise together, establish team rules and purpose, do not complain, and do not fight over credit. 

How do you envision the future of the Civil Engineering department at MLRITM in the next five to ten years?

In India, whenever one thinks of pursuing a graduate program, engineering is always on the list. This is because time and again this field has shown how it has grown, adapted to the ever-evolving requirements, and given students the knowledge and skills to pursue a fruitful career. Thanks to the increasing demand in the industry and improved scope, this field has branched into Mechanical, Civil, IT, Electronics Telecommunications, and other disciplines. One of these disciplines which stands strong and evergreen is Civil Engineering. From stone-made bridges to cable-stayed eight-lane bridges, we have come a long way only because of successful Civil Engineering. Despite the role this branch plays in the development of our country, many students often prefer opting for other disciplines. This is mainly because students are unaware of the scope and the future of Civil Engineering in India in the next ten years. So, let us delve into the understanding of what the future of Civil Engineering entails. According to a report published in The Economic Times, 95 billion sq. ft. is the predicted demand in the real estate and construction industry by 2020. Despite such high demand, the sector lacks a sufficient workforce to meet this demand. Based on the report titled Real Estate and Construction Professionals in India by 2020 by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, there is a demand-supply gap ranging between 82% and 86% of skilled civil engineers, architects, and others. This means our country needs 4 million skilled civil engineers until next year. These are a few statistics that make it clear that there is a massive demand for these professionals in the near future. The future of Civil Engineering is not just limited to the geographical boundaries of our country. According to a report by Global Market Insights Inc. on GlobeNewswire, the Civil Engineering industry is expected to reach a size of USD 11.72 trillion by 2025. One of the main reasons for such rapid development of this engineering discipline is the rise in population and urbanization. By completing a program from one of the best engineering institutes, students can work on sustainable infrastructure solutions, green buildings, and more all over the globe.