Dr.Tarun Kumar Rajak is currently working as an Assistant Professor and head of the Department of civil engineering at the Shri Shankaracharya Institute of Professional Management and Technology (SSIPMT) in Raipur. He completed his M.Tech. from NIT Agartala and his Ph.D. from NIT Raipur in 2015 and 2020, respectively, with a specialization in Geotechnical Engineering.

Dr. Rajak has authored more than 13 research papers, which have been published in renowned international and national journals, including SCIE, ESCI, SCOPUS, and conference proceedings. Three Indian utility patents are also to his credit. He actively participates as a reviewer for various esteemed journals and holds the position of Organizing Secretary for the Raipur Chapter of the Indian Geotechnical Society. Additionally, Dr. Rajak is a lifetime member of esteemed professional organizations such as the Indian Geotechnical Society, the Indian Road Congress, and The Institutes of Engineers.

Shri Shankaracharya Institute Of Professional Management

You have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What keeps you connected with the Education Sector and how has your experience been so far with the institute?

Ans: As an educator, being in this profession offers a great opportunity for continuous learning and the satisfaction of positively impacting the community and future generations. Since completing my Ph.D., I have always enjoyed my work, engaging with students, and discussing new and innovative ideas with the students and colleagues.

SSIPMT Raipur is known for providing excellent research, teaching, and laboratory facilities. They have well-equipped ICT tools and infrastructure and offer various amenities for both teaching and non-teaching staff as well as for students.

I believe that being an educator is the best platform for me to continually enhance my knowledge and skills and engage in research and innovation.

Being the (Head) – (Dept. of Civil Engineering) of (SSIPMT), what are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

Ans: The development of students' skills holds immense importance as they represent the future of every nation. As the Head of the Department, my responsibility extends beyond guiding students academically and in extracurricular activities. It also involves nurturing their uniqueness and observing areas for improvement. This approach aims to help them reach the highest standards of excellence across various fields, ensuring a bright future and solid personal growth. I strongly believe in fostering strong relationships between students and faculty by creating an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. In essence, I focus on all these aspects of my role.

Do you have any extracurricular activities/ programs to enhance the skills of the students or expose them to real-world challenges?

Ans: We firmly believe in the importance of extracurricular activities for enhancing students' skills and abilities along with academic development. Our institution has an active student chapter of professional bodies and a student association group where students actively participate and organize various activities. Moreover, we offer a range of value-added courses, including advanced software programs such as STAAD-Pro, Revit, and 3D Max. We also provide certificate courses and diverse training programs to equip students with the skills required to meet the current and future demands of industries and job markets.

How does the curriculum of (SSIPMT) ensure that the students are being prepared for the future?

Ans: The SSIPMT teams always encourage and focus on outcome-based education, project-based learning, and industry linkage, so that students benefit and get various opportunities in the job market for higher education. The institute has several MoUs with industries and companies that regularly provide and monitor the growth of students in all fields. Our institute is also among the top institutions in India that have the AICTE IDEA Lab, where students can develop models and do research with their innovative ideas.

The project-based model training at our institution has yielded remarkable results, with our students receiving national recognition, including the prestigious Smart India Hackathon 2022 Awards.

How do you try to bring in practical approach towards subjects and make it industry oriented?

Ans: 

Practical techniques provide a comprehensive understanding of industry practices and procedures. A lack of practical expertise can have detrimental consequences in an industrial setting. It is crucial to familiarize oneself with the standards, regulations, and laws that govern the industrial environment. To accomplish this, we prioritize training our students, assigning and reviewing projects for each subject, and encouraging them to create models.

What are the interventions and approaches you bring in apart from curriculum to train/teach the students?

Ans: We have offered a number of workshops and short-term training programs by eminent speakers and scientists to get an in-depth understanding of innovative ideas in particular fields. We have also conducted webinars for the students to become aware of the current scenario of industries and future demand. We also focus on the strong industry linkage so that students can benefit from internships, field visits, and placements.

To align with the current industry demands, we have designed software training programs that are organized according to each academic year, providing our students with relevant and up-to-date skills.

What would you like people to know about your institute they may not know?

Ans. The institution stands out as an excellent choice for students, offering a plethora of on-campus facilities, amenities, and top-notch infrastructure. It provides a diverse platform for hosting numerous student activities. The institute boasts an impressive academic track record and remarkable placement records. Moreover, it is an ideal workplace that fosters freedom and collaboration, with a highly skilled team of experienced faculty members and staff.

What do you see as the greatest strengths of (SSIPMT Raipur)?

Ans: Excellent placement record, a team of well-trained, research-oriented, experienced teaching faculty, good infrastructure, lab facilities, and Linkage with top-notch industries.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see, both for higher education in general and for (SSIPMT Raipur) specifically?

Ans: 

"Quick demand for Digitalization in the academic and education fields"

 Technological Advancements: 

Rapid technological advancements pose challenges for higher education institutions to keep pace with the latest tools and platforms, and we are handling them effectively.

Evolving Job Market and Skills Gap: Higher education institutions face the challenge of aligning their programs and curricula with the changing demands of the job market to bridge the skills gap and enhance graduates' employability. To address these challenges, we have implemented value-added training programs alongside the curriculum to equip students with the necessary skills to meet market demands.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

Ans: 

"We must transform our challenges into opportunities."

I would encourage all aspiring students to not only face the challenges but also actively seek and seize the opportunities they present. On behalf of the civil engineering department at SSIPMT Raipur, I extend an invitation to all aspiring students to become part of our civil engineering family. Together, let us contribute to the betterment of society and our nation.