Dr. D Pradeep Kumar, Director/Secretary of Siddhartha Institute of Engineering and Technology, possesses extensive experience spanning over a decade as a researcher with publications in both national and international journals. He has presented papers at numerous international conferences, showcasing his research contributions. Alongside his research pursuits, Dr. Kumar has served as a teacher and was recognized as the best teacher in 2006 by the university. Following the completion of his doctoral degree, he served as a post-doctoral fellow at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA. Adding to his diverse background, Dr. Pradeep Kumar worked as a Research Scientist at "Sapala Organics Pvt. Ltd." in Hyderabad before joining the Siddhartha Institute of Engineering and Technology. Notably, he is also the founder and director of SCIKEM Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., highlighting his entrepreneurial contributions to the field.

Siddhartha Institute of Engineering and Technology

What is your main emphasis and motivation behind starting your journey in Academia after completing your doctorate in the USA and heading the Siddhartha Institute of Engineering and Technology as a director?

The GP Educational Society and Siddhartha Institute of Engineering and Technology are the brainchild of our esteemed chairman, Dr. G. Nagaya, who also happens to be my uncle. The fundamental mission driving the operation of this society and college is to provide quality education to rural students. Our colleges are located in Achampet and other areas. The primary objective of this institution is to offer top-notch education to students in rural areas. This commitment is reflected in our provision of a hostel within the college premises. By doing so, we aim to extend the maximum possible support to rural students and provide education to those in need.

As a director, how do you balance the needs of various stakeholders like faculty, and students and make sure that everyone is addressed?

Our society is fortunate because all the members are service-oriented individuals, none of whom expect anything in return from this institution. This is the driving force behind the institution's steady progress and attainment of various accreditations. Therefore, heartfelt thanks are extended to the society members and my faculty colleagues. Without their unwavering support, reaching this level of success would not have been possible.

Can you enlighten us on the kind of significance that is given to the infrastructural facilities at the SIET College to the students? 

Infrastructure is very instrumental to us. When we established the college in 2008, we began with P4 computers. However, in response to the growing demand, most of the computers within the institution now boast I5 and I7 configurations. Even the servers are equipped with I7, reflecting our commitment to the continual upgrade of computational and infrastructure facilities. This is an integral aspect of our daily operations, with 10 to 15% of our budget dedicated to updating infrastructure facilities each year.

Check Siddhartha Institute of Engineering and Technology Placement

What is your emphasis on motivating the students and faculty in to participate in research and scholarly activities?

The essential aspect, of motivating students and faculty, is the requirement of a guide or a guru, to lead one on the right path. Fortunately, we have a team of over 30 doctorates actively engaged in our college. As you may be aware, acquiring a doctorate requires professors to publish three to four research papers, showcasing their prior training. The collective experience of my team of doctorates serves as continuous inspiration for both junior faculty and student members. I'm pleased to report that a significant number of students are actively involved in publishing papers in collaboration with their faculty mentors. In my college, faculty and students collaborate on writing papers, a crucial element for accreditation. Our institution places considerable emphasis on research, as reflected in the marks allotted for publications. Additionally, we consistently organise conferences, providing opportunities for students and faculty to stay abreast of recent developments. This exposure serves as inspiration, driving them to undertake innovative projects in their curriculum. The resulting innovations often lead to the publication of research papers, contributing further to the academic and research success of the institution.

What kind of support and assistance does your institute provide to students for Entrepreneurship and Innovation?

We boast an exclusive Entrepreneurship Development Cell within our organization, strongly backed by Industry-Institute interactions. It's noteworthy that our institution's Innovation Cell achieved the highest star rating in the previous academic year. This achievement highlights the symbiotic relationship between entrepreneurship and innovation. The practical evidence of this synergy is evident in the effective functioning of our Entrepreneurship Development Cell, which works in collaboration with the Industry-Institute Interaction Cell, contributing significantly to the success of innovative initiatives.

What is the challenging part of being in the Director - role and how do you handle the challenges?

A crucial aspect is having a proper understanding of all stakeholders, considering the diverse aspirations of parents, students, and faculty members and the distinct vision of the administration with regard to statutory requirements. As part of the management team, our responsibility is to strike a balance and satisfy the needs of all stakeholders while maintaining proper equilibrium in managing funds and activities. The ultimate goal is success, be it in students securing jobs, becoming entrepreneurs, pursuing higher studies, or opting for alternative paths. It is our aim that every student, upon joining, should be equipped to achieve one of these outcomes on their journey. Efforts are extensively invested in convincing both parents and students to choose the right path and nurturing them with the guidance of the institution's mentors, particularly in navigating through the placement process. This endeavour demands patience; where there is patience, there is success.